Jackson is Done with Pippen

So last night, we at the FanHouse thought the Pippen/Lakers marriage was jumping into overdrive. Hold up on that one. What Chris Sheridan giveth, the Los Angeles Times taketh away:

"First of all, we don't have a roster spot," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. "We have 15 guys. The other thing is we may need someone to play longer than 15 minutes a game. We have a couple guys right now that are playing in situations that normally I wouldn't ask them to play. [Maurice] Evans' knee has been problematic for a week now. It's a shame."

Well, that should about dead that rumor. And in retrospect, what were we all thinking? A team low on starter-caliber talent is going to load up for the stretch run...with an old guy who would take another seat on the bench? I also have no idea what people thought Pippen would do on the floor, other than gently nudge the young Lakers into the contours of the triangle. That's what we call an assistant coach, and those rarely need holding the ball to do their job.

Probably out of some lifelong sense of loyalty, P-Jax isn't giving up on Pippen's comeback. Just not on his team.

"I think he can only play like 10, 15, 20 minutes. He's not at that level in his life where he can play a 40-minute game. He's got the skills still to do some things."

Translation: if you're minutes are meaningless, and you just need someone to fill them up, Pippen might be your man. Because he's Jackson's pal.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-10-2007 @ 3:40PM

s potter said...

well you had me all excited there for 40 seconds

3-10-2007 @ 4:26PM

scott said...

ok.. lets get this straight. a guy who hasnt been on the court in how many years says he wants to come back? smells like someone is dead broke or in serious debt and needs something...anything to pay it off rather than trade in a ring or some bling bling..

3-10-2007 @ 5:19PM

tua mater said...

In my town, they have a nice Rec and Ed center that sets aside a time slot for seniors who still want to ball. Scottie Pippen could play there!

3-10-2007 @ 5:36PM

Rick Collins said...

Well, since the triangle doesn't require alot of running, and since Kobe fills a similar role to MJ in that system, which Scottie knows well, and since todays players generally have no discipline and even fewer fundamental skills, I think half a game from Scottie might be possible. And maybe even preferable to a full game from some of the younger brainless clowns who have no desire to win.

3-10-2007 @ 10:29PM

DM said...

Pippen could be broke. He has been married like 10 times now.

3-11-2007 @ 6:36AM

geoff groedner said...

Here's a well known name that doesn't get "over". Someone will sign him, he'll play some minutes, complain how short they were and not his understanding of his "role" when he signed the contract. He'll be dissed by the man and go away for good, angry and bitter. NEXT!

3-11-2007 @ 7:28AM

GB said...

What difference does it make why. He made it to the zone (all us readers) could only dream about BUT now, we should be coaches... Everyone said Big George Foreman could not do it "SUPRISE, SUPRISE, SUPRISE".
If he is broke (so what), if he still has unfilled desires (so what), if he just has not had his "PHIL" I ment "FILL", well let the man play. I'll bet you can't beat him one on one... Go arm-chair quarterbacks, if it wern't for us, there would be no NBA..

3-11-2007 @ 10:30AM

Maggi said...

Used to love to watch Pippen..wish he were still young. Maggi

3-11-2007 @ 5:32PM

Nk said...

Sottie OPippen,in spite of his good press, is a bad is not a team player. Only when Jordan was around. And even then Pippen had his moments,

people seem to forget about when Pippen (Jordan-less Bulls)refused to enter a game in its final moments because the final play was designed for someone other than Scottie! Phil Jackson knows better than we do. Screw Scottie Pippen.Pippen is another big Headed former athlete looking for the spotlights glare once again.. Gooo away Scottie.!!! By the way, the last shot referred to was hit by Tony Kukoc to win the game You should have seen Scottie pout while sitting on the Bench. What a LOSER!!!! No Class.

3-11-2007 @ 11:50AM

don wolfe said...

maybe they need to start a league for old timers
who still want to play.

3-11-2007 @ 12:39PM

pat leckbee said...

don't like SP never did the only reason Phil didn't
want him on his team was KB didn't want to play with him KB said no and Phil went along with what ever KB
said

3-12-2007 @ 2:34PM

Zerokewl said...

There should be a Team made up of all the retiree returns, made up of Jordan,Pippen,Hakeem,Magic,Bird
and they should play against all the other teams. Wow! love to see that.

3-13-2007 @ 10:54AM

Dawarrior9 said...

I see some of you think Scottie is a selfish one? Shoot that is, every single moment he played on the court he played only for the team and NEVER for himself, unlike some Kobies, most reluctant and unselfish player I've ever seen! That moment with Kukoc? Nobody knows what happened on the court then, subsequently Pippen said that Kukoc was the guy to make a great contribution to the game, and that when Kukoc appears on the stage, he fills himself repowered. Through all his career he labored in the shadow of Jordan without any sign of jealousy, while he could have his own star shining. That one is SCREW?! The most steady and best team mate ever! GO Pippen GO!

3-13-2007 @ 11:05AM

David said...

I see some of you think Scottie is a selfish one? Shoot that is, every single moment he played on the court he played only for the team and NEVER for himself, unlike some Kobies. The most reluctant and unselfish player I've ever seen! That moment with Kukoc? Nobody knows what happened on the court then, subsequently Pippen said that Kukoc was the guy to make a great contribution to the game, and that when Kukoc appeared on the stage, he filled himself repowered. Throughout his career he labored in the shadow of Jordan without any sign of jealousy, while he could have his own star shining. That one is SCREW and LOSER?! The most steady and best team mate ever! GO Pippen GO!