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[Saba Sports News] Scottie Pippen made headlines with his candid responses during a recent appearance on the PBD Podcast.
Host Patrick Bet-David posed an intriguing hypothetical: would Pippen rather win a championship without Michael Jordan or make an additional $100 million in career earnings? Without hesitation, the Hall of Famer chose the money.
Patrick Bet-David: “Which of these two would you rather have? A ring without Michael or an additional $100 million in NBA salaries?”
Scottie Pippen: “Give me that $100 million.”
Bet-David pressed further, asking if Pippen would have preferred the $50 million or a ring. At that point, Pippen hesitated, saying, “Maybe I’ll take the ring.” Still, Pippen emphasized that being the best and achieving financial success were pivotal. “It pays to be at the top,” he added.
Pippen, who earned roughly $109 million during his NBA career and now has a reported net worth of $20 million, won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. His choice to prioritize financial gain over a hypothetical title without Jordan might not surprise many, considering his enduring “sidekick” label.
Interestingly, Pippen noted that winning without Jordan would have elevated his legacy. He claimed he would have won six titles with Dominique Wilkins on the Atlanta Hawks, while Jordan, in his opinion, would have only managed two or three without him.
While the confidence is admirable, the claim is a stretch given the dynamic partnership between Pippen and Jordan during their historic run.
Pippen also ranked himself above LeBron James from a team perspective, citing his six titles compared to LeBron’s four.
While LeBron was the best player on his championship teams, Pippen’s role as the second option to Jordan makes the comparison more complex, but it’s clear Pippen is unapologetic in his opinions.
The interview shed light on Pippen’s personality and mindset, highlighting the balance between his pride in his accomplishments and his desire for greater recognition, both financially and in the annals of NBA history.