Maybe we could get him for Cato, Boki and filler. These are the jokes, people. Actually, I wouldn't trade half a bag of cheetos for him. Not even those red ones.
I haven't been following the rockets when Pippen was here. I want to know why Houston hates Pippen so much. What did he do to deserve a nick of scottie quitten?
When Pippen arrived in Houston via sign-in-trade in the lockout shortened season of 1998-99, there were high expectations. It was expected that with his championship experience, along with scoring, passing, defensive and other decision-making abilities, that he could properly compliment Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley. Many thought the Houston Rockets would be one of the top three teams in the NBA. Unfortunately, Pippen seemed to have problems fitting in with the team. Like Drexler before him, he was stationed on the perimeter. The ball would go into the post to either Barkley or Dream. They would kick out the ball for a three, many times to Pippen, and he did not hit a high percentage of his threes. Pippen complained about the post-offense restricting his abilities. Efforts were made to include more fast-breaking. Off the court, the night before a Clippers game in Los Angeles, Pippen was pulled over on a DUI. In the playoffs of 1999, during Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against the Los Angeles Lakers, things went awry. With the Rockets seemingly on their way to victory, Pippen had a crucial turnover, which led to Rockets victory. Instead of taking responsibility for his error, Pippen instead blamed Barkley for fouling Shaq with under a minute to play. The Rockets were blown out in Game 2 and faced elimination. Pippen had a sensational Game 3; he scored a career-playoff high 37 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Barkley had a monster game as well, 30 points and 23 rebounds. The next game, although the Rockets fought hard, Pippen had 19 points and 17 boards, the Lakers came away with the victory. Rocket fans were forgiving of Scottie and hoped the Rockets could retool for a potential championship run. The Rockets management and coaching staff talked about more fast-breaking and open court play to exploit Pippen's abilities and give a new dimension to the team. Scottie seemed to be okay. We sent Othella Harrington, Antoine Carr, Michael Dickerson, and Brent Price to the then Vancouver Grizzlies to acquire the 2nd pick of the draft, point guard Steve Francis from Maryland. We also signed free agent swingman Shandon Anderson to a multiyear contract. The projected starting lineup: Pippen SF Barkley PF Olajuwon C Francis PG Anderson SG The Rockets had a stellar starting lineup with Mobley moving into a 6th man role. The Rockets seemed to be on their way to drive for another championship. Phil Jackson signed with the Lakers and then all chaos broke loose. Pippen said he wanted to be reunited with Phil, traded to the Lakers. He ripped Charles Barkley (who signed the veteran minimum of $1 million so Pippen's contract could fit under the salary cap) calling him fat, undedicated. He leaned on the crutch of Michael Jordan, saying that Jordan was right, that Charles would never win a championship. Barkley considered Pippen his best friend in Houston, but his childish, unprofessional antics proved otherwise. Jordan later issued a statement saying he had only said Barkley wouldn't win a title due to lack of dedication, only to motivate Charles. Pippen also ripped into Dream, saying he wasn't the same player he thought he was. I still admire Pippen, but for the most part, these are the reasons why most Rocket fans despise Scottie Pippen and coined the nickname Quitten, because he panicked and quit before things could really gel. That group in 1999-2000 with Pippen could have brought a crown. Too bad though. Regardless of his foolish behavior, I still like Pippen and am honored that he wore a Houston Rockets uniform. That had been my dream for many years.
Excellent recap, HoustonForever. (all except the part about being honored he wore a Rockets uniform, that is! )
Amen. And he missed out the "I'm not going out there if the final shot is not drawn up for me" episode before he became a Rocket.
Wow you all actually let it slide, someone saying Marion's defense was comparable to Pippen's. Right now closest thing to him is Artest and he's still far and away.
Verily. He said that in regards to his refusal to be a team player, in response to him sitting out in Game 4 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Knicks. Of course the final shot was drawn up for Kukoc. Would Magic Johnson or even Michael Jordan act so selfishly? No. Perhaps that should have served as a warning sign for the Rockets. We thought he had evolved since then. History shows everything else. I don't know if fans remember it or not, but back in the 1995-96 season, many experts and critics believed Pippen was second only to Jordan , not Drexler or Hakeem. Many thought Pippen was overshadowed by Jordan and cursed or blessed with a similar build and athletic ability. Too bad he let us down. Nonetheless, I'm still Pippen's staunchest supporter. I may even track down and purchase a Pippen #33 Rockets jersey in his honor.
marion's defense is not even in the same country as pippen's was. pip's defense was stifling. he's a str8 up b****, but i cannot lie about his defense (pre-rox). that said, artest's defense is pretty damn close to it.
I watched a great basketball game this weekend, Game 3 of the 1999 Western Conference first round between the Rockets and Lakers. Pippen had a playoff career-high 37 points and 13 rebounds. Barkley had a great game as well, 30 points and 23 rebounds. I've watched this game many times before and I love it. Still want that #33 Scottie Pippen Rockets jersery, though. I found an online store and will be ordering it soon!!!
