From ESPNChicago: “The Chicago Bulls will honor Scottie Pippen with a bronze bust of the Hall of Famer during a ceremony at halftime of a game against the Boston Celtics on April 7 at the United Center. The bust of Pippen, who works as an ambassador for his former team, will be permanently displayed on the 100-level concourse of the United Center.”
This is a very good call by the Bulls. With other teams embracing their legends, it was time (perhaps even past time) to show Scottie some love.
Pippen said (via statement): “Words really can’t express my feelings. It’s an unbelievable honor and truly amazing. It’s something you dream of as a kid growing up, but you can never foresee those childhood fantasies becoming reality. You see statues of individuals who have done great things and made their mark on history, but as a basketball player, you never really think about arriving at this point. It’s an amazing honor for the Chicago Bulls to do this for me.”
Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf added (also via statement): “Not only is Scottie Pippen one of the greatest players to ever wear a Bulls uniform, but he’s among the best players in the history of the league to play the game. He had a tremendous impact in bringing six world championships to Chicago and there is no better way to pay tribute to him than with a permanent bust that honors his inspirational career.”
I’m not sure why Pip isn’t getting a full statue like Jordan. Seriously, how cool would it be to see a statue of Scottie next to MJ’s statue? Especially if Bronze Pippen was dunking over a Bronze Ewing. You know, the whole “art imitating life” thing.
I don’t know. Maybe this was the organization’s way of saying, “Scottie, you were truly great, but let’s be honest, you were not as great as Mike, so we’re only bronzing part of your anatomy.”
If this continues, maybe we’ll see additional bronze partials of other players from the Jordan era, with each one based on that player’s level of contribution to the championship cause. We could have bronze replicas of Horace Grant’s feet, or John Paxson’s hands, maybe a thumb of Will Perdue or the bronze fingernail clippings of Stacey King.
Admit it. That would be awesome.
Update! From By The Horns reader Brad S: “I’d like to see Toni Kukoc’s sweet, sweet hair styling encased in bronze.”
I’d like to see Toni Kukoc’s sweet, sweet hair styling encased in bronze.
As Scottie has said “How many titles did Michael win without me?”
people like skip payless who say pippen was nothing without jordan, have no idea. the kat was a defensive nightmare and did a good chunk of damage on offense as well.
“in all those videos you didnt just see me, you saw scottie pippen” – the g.o.a.t.
go bulls !