Fans smash Channel Nine for wasting time on interview with NBA legend Scottie Pippen during halftime of one of the greatest grand finals ever
He was part of one of the greatest NBA basketball teams the world has ever seen, but six-time champion Scottie Pippen became an instant meme during a hair-raising performance at the NRL grand final.
The Australian National Basketball League paid the Bulls superstar $1.2 million this week to promote the tip for the national league.
Pippen was part of the stellar Chicago Bulls roster that included Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman and Australian Luc Longley, who won three NBA championships between 1996 and 1998 at the height of the sport’s popularity.
During his trip to Australia, he appeared at both the AFL and NRL grand finals in an NBL shirt to promote the local competition.
During half-time of the grand final between the Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos, he was interviewed by the Channel Nine panel – and immediately criticized by fans for his lack of knowledge and enthusiasm.
Pippen didn’t seem too excited to be at the NRL grand final as his lackluster reactions instantly turned him into a meme
Pippen was reunited with Australian Boomers champion Luc Longley, who played with him for the Chicago Bulls, promoting the NBL at the same time.
‘Welcome to your first rugby match. What did you think of what you’ve seen so far?’ asked host James Bracey.
A surprised Pippen smiled, but struggled to muster any real enthusiasm.
“It’s very exciting, I’m still trying to learn the game a bit, it’s my second game in two days,” he said, referring to his performance in Saturday’s AFL grand final.
Melbourne, Queensland and Australian champion Cameron Smith tried valiantly to push for a bit more.
“Scottie, you joined our game for the very first time. We’re taking our game to Las Vegas early next year for the very first round. How do you think the Americans will perceive our sport?’ he asked.
Pippen had to think for a moment to come up with a diplomatic answer.
“I think they will embrace it,” he said without great conviction.
“We have a very rough sport in the NFL and I played basketball for a few years and faced some pretty tough teams.
‘It’s a fun sport, a lot of contact, I enjoyed watching it.’
Channel Nine commentator and NRL champion Cameron Smith compared Penrith to the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s
Pippen and Jordan led the Bulls to a dynasty during the peak years of the NBA and basketball around the world
Smith then tried to align a potential Panthers three-peat with the famous Chicago three-peat of the 1990s.
“What does it mean to be part of a franchise that wins three championships in a row?” he asked.
“It’s a great achievement,” Pippen replied.
“Giving yourself the opportunity to go for a third title is amazing in itself,” Pippen replied.
“I think it’s something they (Penrith) have embraced. They made it to the championship game and we’ll see what happens.”
Footy fans quickly picked up the interview and turned it into a meme, asking what Scottie Pippen would think about a series of moments during the grand final.
“When Brisbane scored just before half-time I said to myself: I wonder what Scottie Pippen thinks of the try and how he sees the second half going,” one person wrote.
Others slammed Channel Nine for bothering with Pippen, who clearly had no love or knowledge of rugby league.
“As much as Scottie Pippen costs money, it would have been better if Nine had brought in one of the remaining players from the 81-82-83 Eels threepeat: Sterlo,” said one fan.
“Having Scottie Pippen on the halftime panel is like asking Cameron Smith for his opinion on the nbl gf series. Completely pointless,” another fumed.
“Scottie Pippen is a legend, but really, a 5 minute interview with him at halftime and asking his tip on who will win? It’s a #nrlgf. I think we can do better,” another posted.
Penrith ultimately prevailed after overcoming a 16-point deficit to claim the first three-peat of the NRL era.
It remains unclear what Pippen thought of the second half.