1998 IND game 7 >>> 2013 IND game 7

[ChrisKreager]

This is eerily similar to their 1995 game 7 ECF at Orlando:

On the road, 3 seed, against top seed from Florida, Marv Albert calling the game, pulling away for keeps in the 2nd half

[K Xerxes]

But according to some people, Pip did everything else while Mj just shot the ball, didn't play defense, didn't provide the intangibles, didn't sacrifice anything but shoot.

They also LOVE to mention the very few times Pip actually stepped it up offensively and had big plays as evidence of how HE was responsible for their success. They igonore the HUNDREDS of times (literally) that MJ had to carry his team to a win. Somehow the handful outweighs the hundreds… go figure

Pip is a great player that helped MJ win, NOT the other way around.

I have no idea what you're talking about. Who doesn't deny that MJ was 'the man', the leader, the best player, the MVP and the heart & soul of the team? Who doesn't deny that MJ is the greatest two way player of all time? But Pippen was the perfect and necessary robin. And his defense, particularly, was crucial to allow MJ to exert his energy on offense where it was required in many games.

Giving the credit Pippen deserves does not demean MJ's accomplishments, status and unrivalled dominance in any way. However, it's the notion that MJ 'won on his own' and Pippen 'went along on the ride' that makes it seem like Pippen was expendable. He was not.

[hitmanyr2k]

I have no idea what you're talking about. Who doesn't deny that MJ was 'the man', the leader, the best player, the MVP and the heart & soul of the team? Who doesn't deny that MJ is the greatest two way player of all time? But Pippen was the perfect and necessary robin. And his defense, particularly, was crucial to allow MJ to exert his energy on offense where it was required in many games.

Giving the credit Pippen deserves does not demean MJ's accomplishments, status and unrivalled dominance in any way. However, it's the notion that MJ 'won on his own' and Pippen 'went along on the ride' that makes it seem like Pippen was expendable. He was not.

Exactly. It seems the more Lebron stans try to pump Lebron up to Jordan's level in this weak ass era the more Jordan stans go crazy and respond with their own bullshit Superman myths to prop up Jordan. It's sickening to see. True Bulls fans know Pippen's impact went way beyond numbers.

[K Xerxes]

Exactly. It seems the more Lebron stans try to pump Lebron up to Jordan's level in this weak ass era the more Jordan stans go crazy and respond with their own bullshit Superman myths to prop up Jordan. It's sickening to see. True Bulls fans know Pippen's impact went way beyond numbers.

Yeah, I've noticed that you can tell the difference between a Bulls fan and an MJ stan by how much they value Pippen (and other team mates).

[aceman]

[QUOTE=andgar923]I'll speak for myself.

I value and aknowledge Pip's contributions. His play was needed for the Bulls to win, in order for the Bulls to win without a center they had to be very mobile defensively and Pip was perfect for that.

The issue most people have is when some try to elevate Pip's role (as you've seen here). They try to add more value to his contributions while ignoring the fact that MJ played equal defense while having to carry the load offensively. Imagine if MJ didn't have to worry about offense because the defense didn't concentrate on him? yet he was just as good as Pip defensively.

But according to some people, Pip did everything else while Mj just shot the ball, didn't play defense, didn't provide the intangibles, didn't sacrifice anything but shoot.

They also LOVE to mention the very few times Pip actually stepped it up offensively and had big plays as evidence of how HE was responsible for their success. They igonore the HUNDREDS of times (literally) that MJ had to carry his team to a win. Somehow the handful outweighs the hundreds

[aceman]

Pippen focused on defense during the 1998 post season. he said as much in interviews at the time. go back & read news articles. To suggest mj had the same defensive impact at the time is to rewrite history.

[aceman]

Is this jackass really trying to suggest that Pippen was the better player during the Pacers series? 32/6/4/48% FG and fantastic defense all series versus 17/8/5/39% FG and better defense is no contest.

Jordan's defensive impact in the '98 Pacers series was greater than Kobe has ever had in any post 2001 playoff series. He shut down Miller/Mullin/Rose for key quarters/halves, broke up 2-on-1 and 3-on-1 fastbreaks by himself, made game-saving blocks, and got his hands on a ton of balls all series. GTFOH with this bullshit.

Series was won on defense - pippen's effort against the pacers was one of the great playoff defensive performances.