Scottie Pippen BETRAYED Michael Jordan with ‘horrible player’ remarks, claims Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith has criticized Scottie Pippen for his comments about his old teammate Michael Jordan being a “terrible player” before joining the Chicago Bulls.

Pippen sparked outrage when he spoke out about Jordan in a podcast appearance last week, describing the NBA’s all-time great player as “an awful player – he was awful to play with, he was totally one-on-one, he shoots bad. shots.’

Jordan himself has not commented on Pippen’s claims, but they were not ignored by Stephen A. – who launched an impassioned defense of the man he believes is the greatest who has ever played basketball.

And Smith elaborated on the causes of what he called “envy and bitterness” — such as how Pippen’s ex-wife Larsa, 48, is dating Jordan’s 32-year-old son Marcus.

In a monologue lasting several minutes, Smith speaks of his respect for Pippen, but says his recent comments make him sound “ignorant,” “damn hot,” and says he should feel “embarrassed” for what he said.

Pippen said last week that Jordan was “a terrible player” before joining him in Chicago

Together, Jordan and Pippen ushered in an era of legendary dominance for the Bulls

“I saw what Scottie Pippen had to say and I was pretty stunned,” Smith said on the Stephen A. Smith Show. ‘I was really, really.

“We all know that Scottie Pippen was a great player, one of the greatest players in basketball, there’s nothing to detract from his greatness as a player. But he was second fiddle for a reason, because anyone with eyes — it doesn’t even require 20-20 vision — knew there was Michael Jordan and then there was everyone else.

The great Larry Bird called Michael Jordan “God in gym shorts.” That’s what Pippen is talking about, that guy. We’re talking about a dude who took the NBA to another stratosphere.

“People might ask if Jordan was horrible, what does that make you? But Scottie Pippen doesn’t deserve that. But he deserves to hear the truth and several truths come to his mind.

“Scottie Pippen, you’re not, but you sound like a goddamn fool. An ignorant guy who doesn’t know the game. We know better than that. We know how brilliant you are, how much knowledge you have, so it just brings up two other things about you brother – envy and bitterness.

‘Those are the two things. Number 1, you’re not Michael Jordan, you knew that when you left the game, when you wore Jordan sneakers on the field. You didn’t hate him when you needed him.

“Were you hurt by the Last Dance? Because Jordan had editorial control, you say? Do you blame him? Don’t take it to Jordan, but to journalism and television.

‘But is it personal, Scottie? Is it just about basketball? Is it about the son dating the ex-wife? Don’t judge, just say you don’t wear your bitterness on your sleeve for nothing.

Pippen and Jordan both won six NBA titles during their impressive NBA careers

Pippen’s ex-wife Larsa, 48, is dating Jordan’s 32-year-old son Marcus – they met in 2022

It’s not cool, it’s not right, it’s beyond wrong. Like it or not, it’s total betrayal. You don’t have to sink to these lows, mate. You should really be ashamed.’

Both Pippen and Jordan were part of the most successful period in Bulls history, playing side by side between 1987-93 and 1995-98. Jordan and Pippen won six NBA titles over the course of their storied careers.

Pippen and ex-wife Larsa, meanwhile, divorced in 2021 after 14 years of marriage.

She has been dating Marcus Jordan since late 2022 and said in a recent interview with Tamron Hall that she spent “a lot of time” with Jordan and Marcus’ mother, Juanita, who was “fine” with the romance.