Minnesota Sports Forum

Pippen and it's not close. The question to me is this: Who is the best second-best player. And I'll broaden that question beyond the post-Bird/Magic era. The answer is still Pippen. Part of the equation is the fact that Jordan was so good that there is no question Pippen was second best. For some star tandems, it hasn't been clear to was second best. For example, either Stockton or Malone could be considered the #1. I'm not sure whether KG or Paul Pierce was #1 on the Celtics' championship team. And I agree that Tony Parker has been #1 for the Spurs last three championships.

Pippen was an incredible player. I've been watching a number of Bulls games on NBA-TV lately. Watching thsoe games has reminded me of how special Scottie was. His length, quickness, ball-handling, court vision and overall feel for the game were all exceptional. I unique blend of talents and skills that very few have had.

No question that LeBron will be the indisputable #1 on the Cavs. I see Love at the #2, but Kyrie could arguably emerge as the second most important player on that team. Those three may end up one of the best threesomes in NBA history.

Pippen for sure for me. As far as 3 best players. I don't think the Cavs have the best 3 in the league let alone history.

Lebron is 30 and showing signs of having hit his peak.
Irving is maybe a top 10 PG
Love is the best PF in the game, but not a good defender.

I would take OKC trio over the Cavs.

lipoli390 wrote:Pippen and it's not close. The question to me is this: Who is the best second-best player. And I'll broaden that question beyond the post-Bird/Magic era. The answer is still Pippen. Part of the equation is the fact that Jordan was so good that there is no question Pippen was second best. For some star tandems, it hasn't been clear to was second best. For example, either Stockton or Malone could be considered the #1. I'm not sure whether KG or Paul Pierce was #1 on the Celtics' championship team. And I agree that Tony Parker has been #1 for the Spurs last three championships.

Pippen was an incredible player. I've been watching a number of Bulls games on NBA-TV lately. Watching thsoe games has reminded me of how special Scottie was. His length, quickness, ball-handling, court vision and overall feel for the game were all exceptional. I unique blend of talents and skills that very few have had.

No question that LeBron will be the indisputable #1 on the Cavs. I see Love at the #2, but Kyrie could arguably emerge as the second most important player on that team. Those three may end up one of the best threesomes in NBA history.

If Wiggins overreaches his potential does he have the skills to be a Pippen type player?

Lip, you can't say Pippen was the best 2nd best player all time. He wasn't better than Kareem. He wasn't better than Oscar Robertson. And he wasn't better than either Shaq or Kobe, whichever one you would place #2. I agree he was a great player, and I would have him #2 on my list above.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:Lip, you can't say Pippen was the best 2nd best player all time. He wasn't better than Kareem. He wasn't better than Oscar Robertson. And he wasn't better than either Shaq or Kobe, whichever one you would place #2. I agree he was a great player, and I would have him #2 on my list above.

Cool -- I just don't think you can definitively conclude that any of the players you mention were the second-best players on their respective teams. That was my point. The only exception might be Kareem, but his best days were behind him by the time he paired with Magic.

Because of how great Jordan was, Pippen was undoubtedly the second-best on his team. And they were both in their prime for the entire time they played together. That's what makes Pippen the clear best #2.

If we're just comparing players to one another in their prime, then the answer might be different. Was Pippen in his prime better than Shaq, Kobe, Kareem or Oscar in their prime? I don't think so, but if you watched Pippen a lot you'd see the gap isn't that wide.

Pippen >>>>> Love

At least Pippen could get a team without MJ into the playoffs.

bleedspeed177 wrote:Pippen >>>>> Love

At least Pippen could get a team without MJ into the playoffs.

Careful, that team had a lot of NBA champions on it.

bleedspeed177 wrote:Pippen >>>>> Love

At least Pippen could get a team without MJ into the playoffs.

Love has a long way to go before I'd consider him on Pippen's level. Scottie did so many things exceptionally well -- ball-handling, scoring, passing, rebounding, defense. Some people tend to overlook his passing, which was exceptional. He could play three positions -- PG, SG and SF -- and often brought the ball up and ran the point for the Bulls. Actually, knowing that Thad Young plays PF, Pippen could have played the PF position as well.

lipoli390 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:Lip, you can't say Pippen was the best 2nd best player all time. He wasn't better than Kareem. He wasn't better than Oscar Robertson. And he wasn't better than either Shaq or Kobe, whichever one you would place #2. I agree he was a great player, and I would have him #2 on my list above.

Cool -- I just don't think you can definitively conclude that any of the players you mention were the second-best players on their respective teams. That was my point. The only exception might be Kareem, but his best days were behind him by the time he paired with Magic.

Because of how great Jordan was, Pippen was undoubtedly the second-best on his team. And they were both in their prime for the entire time they played together. That's what makes Pippen the clear best #2.

If we're just comparing players to one another in their prime, then the answer might be different. Was Pippen in his prime better than Shaq, Kobe, Kareem or Oscar in their prime? I don't think so, but if you watched Pippen a lot you'd see the gap isn't that wide.

Kareem was in his prime when he first paired up with Magic. In fact for their 1st title Kareem was probably #1 and Magic #2. That is until Magic won the title himself by playing center in game 6. And Oscar was definitely #2 to Kareem in Milwaukee, much like Pippen was to Jordan.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:Lip, you can't say Pippen was the best 2nd best player all time. He wasn't better than Kareem. He wasn't better than Oscar Robertson. And he wasn't better than either Shaq or Kobe, whichever one you would place #2. I agree he was a great player, and I would have him #2 on my list above.

Cool -- I just don't think you can definitively conclude that any of the players you mention were the second-best players on their respective teams. That was my point. The only exception might be Kareem, but his best days were behind him by the time he paired with Magic.

Because of how great Jordan was, Pippen was undoubtedly the second-best on his team. And they were both in their prime for the entire time they played together. That's what makes Pippen the clear best #2.

If we're just comparing players to one another in their prime, then the answer might be different. Was Pippen in his prime better than Shaq, Kobe, Kareem or Oscar in their prime? I don't think so, but if you watched Pippen a lot you'd see the gap isn't that wide.

Kareem was in his prime when he first paired up with Magic. In fact for their 1st title Kareem was probably #1 and Magic #2. That is until Magic won the title himself by playing center in game 6. And Oscar was definitely #2 to Kareem in Milwaukee, much like Pippen was to Jordan.

As you said, initially, Kareem was arguably the #1 player on the Lakers. In any event, by the time Kareem was clearly #2 to Magic, he was past his prime and not nearly the player Pippen was when the Bulls won their 6 championships. I'm not sure I agree with you on Oscar being indisputably #2, but that's arguable either way.