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"It was fun" – Scottie Pippen on embracing the challenge of leading the Chicago Bulls without Michael Jordan in the 1993-1994 season

Despite the daunting challenge, Pippen says trying to lead the Bulls sans Jordan was fun.

Stephen Beslic

© Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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When the 1993-1994 NBA season came around, not many gave the defending champions Chicago Bulls a chance in hell to repeat their success without the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan. After Jordan's shock retirement in October 1993, Scottie Pippen was left as the lone star on a team that had dominated the league for the past three years.

But instead of shying away from the challenge, Pippen embraced it with open arms, going as far as calling it “fun.”

Came into his own

Pippen played the first six seasons of his career in the shadows of the NBA’s GOAT (Greatest of All Time), Michael Jordan. Although he played a substantial role in the Bulls’ remarkable “three-peat,” there was no denying Jordan received most—if not all—of the plaudits of Chicago’s success.

However, with Jordan’s sudden retirement and decision to pursue a career in professional baseball, Pippen knew the stage was set for him to finally step out of the shadows and prove just how valuable he was to the team.

And that’s exactly what he did. In the 1993-1994 season, Pippen led the Bulls in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals, cementing himself as a true all-around player. He also earned the All-Star Game’s Most Valuable Player award, named to the All-NBA First Team, and finished third in the race for the season’s MVP trophy.

"When Michael left, I looked at it as a challenge right away," Pippen shared.

"I definitely knew it would be fun for me."

Led the team back to the postseason

It wasn't just on an individual level where Pippen found success. He also helped lead the Bulls to a 55-27 record and a second-place finish in the Central Division. Pippen's leadership and ability to elevate his game without Jordan on the court proved crucial in keeping Chicago competitive during their transition.

However, Pippen admitted that season also gave him an opportunity to learn more about himself, on and off the floor. While the Arkansas native achieved numerous awards that season, he wasn’t without controversy.

In January 1994, Pippen faced charges of unlawful possession of a weapon when Chicago police spotted a handgun in his vehicle. Then, in the playoffs, there was the incident in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals when Pippen refused to enter the game after coach Phil Jackson drew up the game’s final play for rookie Toni Kukoc.

"It was fun, though," Pippen said.

"No matter what happened. The statements I made, me being caught with a gun, me not going back into the game. I was still able to enjoy it. I know how that sounds, but it's true."

Scottie Pippen stepped out of Michael Jordan's shadow and won the only MVP award of his NBA career

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Stephen Beslic
STEPHEN BESLIC

Stephen Beslic is a writer on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Stephen played basketball from the age of 10 and graduated from Faculty of Economic and Business in Zagreb, Croatia, majoring in Marketing.

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