In defense of Scottie Pippen, he must be talked about when discussing NBA greats

October 9, 10:00 AMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Scottie Pippen: He's right up there with greats of game 

No reason for the timing of this. Was just giving it some thought ...

As I was making my top 10 players of all-time list, I thought of lots of names who didn’t quite make the cut: Moses Malone, Bob Pettit, Elvin Hayes, Karl Malone and Hakeem Olajuwon.

Those greats deserved to be in the discussion.

Wanted to make sure not forget anyone so went through the whole list of possibilities … George Mikan, Walt Bellamy, James Worthy, Bob Cousy, Nate Thurmond, John Havlicek, Kevin McHale, Julius Erving, Walt Frazier.

There were others. But there was one guy’s name I couldn’t get out of my head.

He was a guy who you wouldn’t think would be on the top-10 fringe, but the more I thought about it, the more I think you could really make a case for this guy to be right there in the group.

Scottie Pippen.

Before even acknowledging detractors, an important first point: It’s got to count for something that you may be the greatest perimeter defender to ever play the game.

That alone must vault you into the prime real estate area in the NBA community.

There is support for the  “No ways.”

Pippen always had the most helpful crutch in basketball history in Michael Jordan, there was that time he quit in that playoff game, and his final stats don’t knock you over.

He finished averaging 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. But in his important years, the bulk of the 1990s when the Bulls were at their best, Pippen was a 20-point, eight-rebound and six-assist guy.

That’s impressive.

And just as certainly as Jordan was helpful, there is also no doubt that Pippen’s numbers would have been significantly better had he not played alongside Jordan.

And as easy as it is to say that Pippen wouldn’t have six rings without Jordan, I think it can be said that Jordan wouldn’t have six rings without Pippen.

But you always come back to that defensive thing. Pippen could shut down point guards one night, somebody 6-foot-10 the next, and then handcuff a player somewhere in between.

In his prime, Pippen was long, strong and athletic. He was smart and he had an advantage over every player who wasn’t as tall or quick. Which was a good portion of league.

He ranks third in rebounding in Bulls franchise history, and he’s among the all-time NBA leaders in steals. As long as we’re throwing numbers around, he’s at the top of several NBA playoff lists.

I’m not saying Pippen should overtake any of the existing 10, I’m just saying he’s a lot closer than you think.