Scottie Pippen has shared a poignant Instagram post celebrating his first Finals victory with the Chicago Bulls in 1991. The post featured a photo of Pippen, seemingly lost in thought on a flight, holding the iconic Game 5 ball that he gripped during the final moments of the Bulls‘ triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers. However, what should have been a nostalgic moment for fans has sparked unexpected controversy.

“The @Game5Ball, the one I held high in those final seconds, came home with me that night,” Pippen’s caption read.

“On this flight back, I held it close, knowing its weight wasn’t just leather-it was legacy. For 33 years, it’s been a beacon of the greatest sports dynasty ever and the moment that redefined the game. Today, it enters Web3, creating the #1 sports brand of the future. Be part of the legacy.”

This heartfelt message came as part of Pippen’s efforts to tokenize the ball through blockchain technology, marking another chapter in his venture into cryptocurrency.

Yet, instead of celebrating the ball’s legacy, many fans accused Pippen of using an AI-generated image to promote his “Ball 5” campaign.

Fans question the authenticity of the picture

The clarity and perfection of the photo raised suspicions, with many pointing out that it didn’t resemble authentic pictures from the early ’90s.

Comments flooded in, with one fan noting, “Scottie, you have the real pictures, c’mon man.”

Another added: “Shame to put AI to promote authentic greatness… I’m a real Scottie fan, but that ‘pic’ ain’t sht to me.”*

Critics also noted that the Pippen depicted in the image looked different from his younger self, with some jokingly claiming it resembled an actor playing Pippen or an AI-generated version of him. One follower confirmed the speculation, writing simply, “Yeah, that’s AI.”