Scottie Pippen’s “What Ifs” and Reflections on his Career

Scottie Pippen, Michael Arkush / Translated by Li Zuming / Fortress Culture Publishing

(The following excerpts are from p.361-370 of this book)

Chapter 17 Old man, go west!

When I was in the Bulls, I was used to the performance of getting into the situation quickly after the opening season. Now I have experienced it again: four consecutive victories in the opening season, ten wins in the first eleven games in the opening season, and 13 wins in the first fifteen games in the opening season. Entering the beginning of December, we lead the Lakers and Kings by a game and a half, and we are temporarily at the top of the group. After cooling off for a while, we bounced back and won six consecutive victories twice.

This team (Portland Trail Blazers) is as strong as I expected, and it may even exceed expectations.

In the schedule of the previous months, one game was particularly important. How could it be unimportant? That game, I’ll go back to my home. Chicago feels like home to me. No matter how disrespected I am here, no matter how many times I ask the Bulls to trade me, it’s not going to change.

A lot has changed since I was last on the court at the United Center in Game 5 of the 1998 NBA Finals. On my personal side, I’ve come to my third team in three years. As for the Bulls, Tim. Coached by Floyd, they currently have a record of 2 wins and 25 losses (eventually they will end the season with 17 wins and 65 losses). In case you’re wondering, I’m not doing anything for Jerry. Ransdorf or Jerry. Klaus is sad, they are suffering the consequences they deserve.

But I’m not talking about this organization. It’s a different matter, and they shouldn’t bear the consequences together. By organization, I mean conductors, security personnel, maintenance workers, public relations personnel, etc. Everyone I meet says this to me:

“This place is completely different from what it used to be.”

I got a really loud ovation when the Bulls played my highlights on the big screen before tip-off. In this moment, fans finally had something to cheer about.

As for the game itself, it was, as expected, a one-sided carnage.

The Bulls committed 31 turnovers and swallowed an 11-game losing streak 63-88. Dimon. Stoudemire led the team with 16 points and 5 steals, and I also contributed 11 points and 6 assists.

I feel sorry for the former teammates who were left in place, like Randy. Brown, Dickie. Simpkins and Tony, who was absent due to back spasms. Kukoc (fortunately for him, he will be traded to Philadelphia in a month). Will. Purdue and B． J． So did Armstrong, who returned to where he started in the 1980s in his final season. I can’t imagine what they went through.

In late February, we played the Lakers in Portland. This game is different from other regular seasons. Both teams have achieved the league’s best record of 45 wins and 11 losses, and both are in the state of eleven consecutive victories. When two tigers fight, one will be injured.

When the results came out, it was us who were hurt.

Led by the “Knight” who scored 23 points and 10 rebounds, the Lakers won 90-87. Bryant also scored 22 points.

The night was not for nothing. We showed some tenacity in the fourth quarter, came back from an 11-point deficit and had a chance to tie the game late in the game. I walked out of the Rose Garden with my head held high.

Come May, we’ll beat this team, there’s no question about it.

Only if we beat other teams in other fixtures as well.

From March 1 to the end of the regular season, our record was a mediocre 14 wins and 11 losses. With the playoffs on the horizon, we certainly have reason to be concerned.We don’t have a leader, someone who pushes people on when they’re not doing their jobs.One was like — I should be fine saying that — Michael. Jordan’s people. Though he goes too far at some points.

But it’s better to go too far than not enough.

Why didn’t I carry this burden?

Over the past twenty years, I’ve asked myself the same question over and over again, and I wish I had a good answer.

As a player who was new to this team, I was focused on how to fit in the guys who had been here for a while, like Dimon and Rasheed. But as long as it’s something I should do to win a championship, I should use snacks.

Our first opponent is young star Kevin. The Minnesota Timberwolves, led by Kevin Garnett, were eliminated by us after four games.

The next opponent is the Utah Jazz, led by two star players who are not young. Stockton was thirty-eight, and Carl was about to turn thirty-seven. However, the Jazz were as determined as ever, and after losing by more than 18 points in the first three games, they won the fourth game 88 to 85 and extended the front line. And in the fifth battle, we ended the campaign.