Monday, August 16th, 2010 at 10:15 am  |  59 responses

Scottie Pippen Questions LeBron, 72 Wins

First off, congrats to Scottie on making the Hall of Fame! On to business…While in Springfield, Mass, for the HOF ceremonies, Pippen commented on LeBron’s Decision and on JVG’s assertion that the Heat will win more than 72 games. CSNChicago has the full 411: “Pippen, regarded as perhaps the top individual defender in basketball history, also shared his thoughts on the hottest topic of the NBA offseason, LeBron James’ ‘decision’ to sign with the Miami Heat in free agency. ‘You know what? The way it went down, it was a little bit classless,’ said Pippen, not exactly a stranger to controversy himself during his playing days. ‘He’s a great player and we all love him as a player, but you don’t change spots by going on TV and announcing where you’re going as a free agent. I think that really hurt him a little bit, but it’s over and it’s history.’ Pippen continued: ‘LeBron’s decision was a great one. He was a free agent and he had the right to decide where he wanted to go, when he wanted to go there and I have no bones about it. I think it was a great decision, I think it was well thought-out by him obviously. We can now sit back and see if they can make it fruitful.’

“While he’ll be keeping an eye on the Heat this season, Pippen responded to ESPN analyst—and former Knicks coach—Jeff Van Gundy’s assertion that Miami could challenge Chicago’s 1995-96 regular-season record of 72 wins in no uncertain terms. ‘I don’t want to elaborate on what Jeff Van Gundy said really. I mean, who is he to say that they’re going to break the record? I mean, he coached numerous years and he hasn’t been able to break it so—it’s a wait-and-see process. I think those guys’ biggest goal is to try and win a championship and not win 72 games in a season,’ stated Pippen. ‘But if Jeff Van Gundy wants to take a bet, I will bet him that they won’t break it. You can put a lot of great players together, but it’s about building chemistry. There’s been a lot of great teams put together, but that doesn’t really seal the deal. I mean, me personally, I think that Boston is still probably the best team in the East. Miami has to prove themselves.’”

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  • mogodude22@yahoo.com Posted: Aug.16 at 10:19 am
    first

  • Eboy Posted: Aug.16 at 10:20 am
    While this doesn’t fully quote Scottie on the subject (who was not hateful at all towards the Heat, probably because he’s always at Heat games)I co-sign Scottie on all of his points.

  • Ali Posted: Aug.16 at 10:21 am
    “It’s over, It’s History” and “Miami has to prove Themselves” THE two key statements made from the newest HOFer. Beem me up Scottie!

  • scottie_k Posted: Aug.16 at 10:31 am
    Pippen is all class. Great player, smart and well spoken. Wish him nothing but success and happiness – true HOF’r

  • Fat Lever Posted: Aug.16 at 10:32 am
    Who’s next up to express their opinion on this and have it broadcasted to the masses? Jud Buechler? Bill Wennington? I really can’t wait for the season to start so people can stop talking about the dumbest ish.

  • Brian Posted: Aug.16 at 11:05 am
    Da, who is this guy to comment on The King? He sounds like a bitter old man that knows his accomplishments can’t compare to the great LBJ. If he played for the Heat he’d be the 4th best player at best after LeBron, LeBron’s shadow and LeBron’s reflection.

  • J Posted: Aug.16 at 11:08 am
    cosign hall of fame Pip, if someone brings another stupid hate here then they are… well, stupid.

  • Overtime Posted: Aug.16 at 11:18 am
    See, Scottie sums up EXACTLY what we should all agree on about Lebron’s summer. Its completely his decision, he should have done it alot differently, but now lets play basketball and see what Miami has

  • Kap Posted: Aug.16 at 11:22 am
    He did not bring up the question. It was ESPN that asked him the question. So therefore, it is ESPN that is exhausting this topic.

  • J Posted: Aug.16 at 11:24 am
    brian you’re gay..

  • J Posted: Aug.16 at 11:24 am
    brian you’re stupid and gay..

  • Ian Posted: Aug.16 at 11:32 am
    overtime, thats what i been sayin all summer

  • D.Speed Posted: Aug.16 at 11:41 am
    It’s going to be fun watching an angry Lebron give it to cats night in and night out. They should start Magloire so he could be the enforcer, then let the reining regular season MVP remind everyone who he is. Chicago was fortunate to get a Pippen (through trade) to play with Jordan, draft a guy like Kukoc and sign a player like Rodman. The Bull team for those last Bulls 3 peat wasn’t even fair. But what happened when Pippen went to Houston to play with Hakeem and Barkley? Or when he went to Portland with Steve Smith, Rasheed Wallace and company. NADA! Chemisrty is everything. We’ll see in 2 months…

  • IAMORANGE4EVER Posted: Aug.16 at 11:47 am
    LMAO @J’s comments. No offense Brian.

  • vuk Posted: Aug.16 at 11:57 am
    brian ur a moron, “The Great LBJ” is yet to win anything. while scottie has 6 of em, dont talk sh*t when u clearly dont know sh*t

  • kundai Posted: Aug.16 at 12:05 pm
    @ J you made my f^ckin day thast funny as hell.

  • Coney Islander Posted: Aug.16 at 12:18 pm
    72 games is no stretch, The Cavs won 66 games one year! So you mean to tell me that DWADE and Chris Bosh can’t get you 6-7 more wins a season and Anthony Parker and Antwan Jamison can? Seriously?

  • The Nupe Posted: Aug.16 at 12:22 pm
    I agree with Pip on everything except that this was a great decision and that it was well thought-out. LeBron is so concerned about his image, I think if he new this kind of media & fan backlash would be the result, he would have done things very differently. His biggest point (to me anyway) about these guys focusing on a championship and needing chemestry is right on the money. The one thing I think these guys have going for them is that they really like each other off the court and they have played together in the olympics and all-star games. Not that this really equates to instant chemestry, but this in combinatin with their unified focus on winning, will serve them well as a ‘headstart’ to the kind of NBA chemestry they’ll need.

  • IAMORANGE4EVER Posted: Aug.16 at 12:26 pm
    My crystal ball says the Heat win 59 games next season. Not even 60 wins. Wow.

  • underdog Posted: Aug.16 at 12:33 pm
    Totally agreed.

  • The Seed Posted: Aug.16 at 12:35 pm
    Who is Jeff Van Gundy anyway?

  • Kap Posted: Aug.16 at 12:46 pm
    @Coney…That is a stretch bc the East is far improved, injuries happen, they are not that deep and it makes no sense to compare the Cavs to the Heat bc they are two totally different teams. There’s a reason only one team has won 72 games.

  • J Posted: Aug.16 at 12:49 pm
    62-20 i guess, or high 60′s.. the jordan & bulls fan in me wants to stay that record with them.. title’s more important anyway..

  • boogster Posted: Aug.16 at 12:51 pm
    eh, he`s Stan Van Gundy`s brother?

  • boogster Posted: Aug.16 at 12:57 pm
    Well, MJ has asked, anyone else won 72 games? after 72W season. I still think that was his challenge to the next generation. So game on. 3 friends have to prove it.

  • ClutchPerformer Posted: Aug.16 at 1:02 pm
    Brian needs to shut up because obviously a young lebron nut hugger who knows nothing beyond the Lebron era Scottie is spot on although, the i wouldnt call it thought or a great decision but to each their own and 72 is standing

  • The Nupe Posted: Aug.16 at 1:13 pm
    It’s possible, 72 games is a lot – but they clearly have enough talent to do it. I think they’ll win enough to secure #1 in the East and if the Lakers aren’t too far out in front, they will win enough to try to secure #1 overall. Obviously they won’t need 70+ wins to do that. However, from a ‘legacy’ standpoint, I could see them aiming for the 72 win mark 2-3 years from now (if after they won a chip or two). They have the abiity to be a special/historic team and LBJ/Wade are both concerned about their legacies and all three think of themselves as having a ‘brand’. So although I don’t see them aiming for 72 wins this season, I could see them aim for that (and make it) a couple of seasons from now when they aren’t just playing for a chip, but also for legacy.

  • Thor Posted: Aug.16 at 1:20 pm
    Co-sign Kap and scottie, you spoke my words

  • CHI-TOWN SAID IT JOE Posted: Aug.16 at 1:44 pm
    so basically ppl think the heat will lose single digit games???? i bet no one would put money on that

  • erich Posted: Aug.16 at 4:39 pm
    The difference between CHI and MIA is at the coaching spot. It’s always good to have great players but you have to steer a whole team through a long season with injuries and other sidetracks.

  • nastierthanu Posted: Aug.16 at 5:00 pm
    Loud noises

  • Feez2 Posted: Aug.16 at 5:04 pm
    Miami will win 61-67 games next season. There’s no doubt. 72 wins can come some other time. But to ppl that say this team can’t even win 60 you pretty much tell me that this miami team isn’t better than the lebron led cavs… Which is totally ridiculous. It doesn’t matter about the competition strengthening… If lebron stayed on the cavs with Jamison And mo will he would be slated for 60 wins for 2010-2011 and everyone knows that so how can you slate a team with lebron Wade and bosh to 50-59? That’s just hating on the team. Let’s face it. The only season series they have a risk of losing this year is vs the lakers. And that’s only 2 games. So yes they will definitely win 61-67. 72 is steep. 72 needs everyone to have a purpose from coaches to 15th man to blow out the season. Heat won’t have that. They are focusing on ring or bust not the redemption the 96 team was:

  • total scrotal implosion Posted: Aug.16 at 5:09 pm
    Id say its possible. As has been pointed out, cavs won 66 games, in a weaker division, but dwade and bosh will def help. I think they will win 70

  • Sergio Posted: Aug.16 at 5:43 pm
    Scottie pippen is way better than lebron James ask Jordan

  • The Promise Posted: Aug.16 at 6:27 pm
    Totally agree with Scottie, he said pretty much what I’ve said all summer, that yes, it was his decision, and I’m fine with it, he just made himself look like a complete punk, and it hurt his brand, what more is there to say? And I also agree that Boston is the better team, they have went to the Finals twice in 3 years, and have a title. Miami has to go out there and quiet the critics, I’m not ashamed to say I am one of them. Go on LeBrick, prove me wrong.

  • Coney Islander Posted: Aug.16 at 6:30 pm
    @Kap, that argument goes both ways. The Celtics are old, the Hawks are scared, the magic are beatable. I just don’t think it’s impossible based on what I saw the new look Celtics do on their first year campaign. They racked up alot of wins based on shock and awe. The Heat will get a few easy ones just from that alone before they start to play real ball. But on another note, im sure if they win 50 games every season for the next 10 years and end up with 8 rings or so no one will care about 72-10, I know I wouldn’t!

  • JL Posted: Aug.16 at 7:13 pm
    i don’t disagree with pip but the chicago media outlet that named him the greatest individual defender… wut happened to bill russell? actually i’ve never seen bill play so I can’t be sure, but he’s been regarded as the best. pippen was very good defensively though. With him and Rodman on the same team meant you NEEDED a 3rd scorer to be able to win a game against them.

  • JL Posted: Aug.16 at 7:21 pm
    if the heat want to win 72 games they will need better D, which they don’t have. No post defense really. Bosh is pretty weak on that.

  • LA Huey Posted: Aug.16 at 8:08 pm
    “I think that really hurt him a little bit.” Funny how Scottie went to college and is less articulate than LeBron.
    On a related note, I agree with what Pip was trying to say.

  • J Posted: Aug.16 at 8:39 pm
    @ JL 7:21.. joel anthony, haslem and magloire?

  • Jon Posted: Aug.16 at 9:00 pm
    I’d like to think that the Green Team are the ebs tin the East but it’s hardly the case. They managed to handle Wade n LeBron separately but there’s no way they can keep both of them out with Bosh manning the middle and a shooter like Mike Miller around them. Remember how tired the Celtics were towards the end of the ECF? It’s gonna be as bad or worse this time around. I hope the Celtics win again but I can never understand people placing them above the Heat. Don’t put that sorta pressure of my oldies!

  • hammer Posted: Aug.16 at 9:06 pm
    @JL. 1st of all,CSN chicago said that pip was “perhaps the top individual defender in basketball history.” Keyword:PERHAPS. Now,I didn’t see russell but I did see pip. Pip was ALL over the court on d. His defense was a thing of beauty. Blocking shots,getting steals,drawing charges. The whole defensive package. It’s a shame that he never won a DPOY altho back n his playing days there were a # of candidates deserving of that award. Now russell was a center. Pip was a sf. And even tho I never saw russell I find it very hard and downright impossible 2 imagine him roaming the perimeter the way scottie did. That’s where pip did his damage as well as staying with the opposing teams pg dribble 4 dribble as they brought the ball back upcourt and harrassin them n the process. Scottie would make them twist and turn so many times bringing that ball up. I have seen many defensive players since I was 12 n 1991,the year I started watching the nba.I have yet 2 c a player that has equalled pip. And I’m pretty confident in saying that pip n fact did play the best individual defense n the history of nba. Congrats 2 the newly minted HOFer!

  • Chief Posted: Aug.16 at 10:37 pm
    @Brian
    Scottie Pippen in the HOF okay.
    If anyone has the right to call out everyone’s favorite small forward, The Greatest Small Forward of all time, his weigh in on the situation matters.i can see how Magic doesn’t matter. And Jordan is Jordan so you have to take it at that. Chuck said what he said. But this is the man who made Lebron who he is. You don’t think Lebron might want to be half as good as Pippen.
    GODDAMN

  • Scottie Pimpin Posted: Aug.17 at 12:15 am
    “its gonna be real hollywood down there” reall hollywood and real douchey. the heat suck ! go bulls !

  • hoopistani Posted: Aug.17 at 3:28 am
    scottie speaks the truth

  • Lucifer Posted: Aug.17 at 3:52 am
    @Brian
    It’s bedtime kid.Your Mom is calling you.

  • dsleepy Posted: Aug.17 at 11:20 am
    @ brian: i know it’s a day late…but good lord you are stupid.

  • Brian Posted: Aug.17 at 11:43 am
    @ dsleepy, J etc, I might try a class on reading before I started calling other people names. It is called sarcasm. Say it slowly.

  • Dre Posted: Aug.17 at 11:49 am
    “IF” is the biggest 2 lette word in the world when related to this. I am a huge Pippen fan but he is on crack if he thinks that Miami is the best team in the east. “On paper” this Miami team is the most talented lets just get that out of the way right now. However, like Pip said chemistry is very key to breaking a record and winning championships. I will say this, “IF” this team builds good chemistry early yes they can break the record. In addition to “IF” they are not hit by the injury bug. “IF” these 2 things take place I don’t think what Jeff said is to crazy and anyone who really knows basketball would agree.

  • nza Posted: Aug.17 at 12:02 pm
    Miami has a chance to go undefeated next season.

  • BostonBaller Posted: Aug.17 at 12:49 pm
    WZUP SLAM Fam, toss the ball up already….I’m dying here waiting. I’m watching USA ball in August for goodness sakes!!

  • The Philosopher Posted: Aug.17 at 2:26 pm
    Shout out @BostonBaller.

  • Tyler Posted: Aug.17 at 3:48 pm
    Scottie is a classy guy he seems like the only legend that isn’t bitter about LeBron.

  • Kanye Posted: Aug.20 at 8:45 pm
    Yo Brian, I’m happy for you and imma let you finish, but Scottie Pippen had one of the greatest careers of ALL TIME.

  • Luis Posted: Aug.28 at 10:31 am
    No way can the Heat get 72 wins, Bosh and Wade couldn’t even lead there teams to a 50 win season and a playoff series win. Even boozer and Williams lead there team to the conference finals in the much tougher Western Conference and nobody gives those guys any respect. Bosh and Miller have yet to win a playoff series, and Wade has yet to win a playoff series Post Shaq. Jordan and Pippen had 3 rings and Rodman had 2 rings before they even took on the 70 win challenge. So they had all the experience already. U can’t just throw a bunch of guys together and call it a 73 win season.

  • H to the Z Posted: Nov.13 at 9:05 am
    LEBRON JAMES AND MIAMI ALL DAY F ALL THE HATERS!!!

  • c_cantrell Posted: Apr.15 at 4:36 pm
    ^wtf?…..

  • onitsuka tiger mexico 66 Posted: May.5 at 8:44 am
    Bosh is really weak. Miani need a strong centre forward man, for defense and backboard. Ruth Riley, please think about it.

  • onitsuka tiger mexico 66 Posted: May.5 at 8:46 am
    let us look forward to next season. maybe the amazing will happen, i believe.

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