There’s no Michael Jordan without Scottie Pippen, just like there’s no Batman without Robin. Together, they led the Chicago Bulls to six championships, two three-peats and an unforgettable 72-10 season in 1995-96. Over a decade as teammates, they played over 690 games together, combining for more than 35,000 points and countless iconic moments. But despite their dominance on the court, their relationship off it was never as strong as fans might have imagined. “We were never great friends,” Pippen admitted, emphasizing that their partnership was built on mutual success rather than personal connection. While chemistry is often seen as the foundation of championship teams, Jordan and Pippen defied that notion, achieving greatness without a deep personal bond.

Pippen Wades Back into the GOAT Debate

Scottie Pippen has never been shy about sharing his thoughts on the never-ending GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. While many consider Jordan to be the undisputed greatest player in NBA history, LeBron’s longevity and scoring records have forced a new generation of fans to reconsider. To me, there are no “better” players at this level, they are just different. However, Pippen recently clarified that he never outright declared LeBron the greatest, despite previous headlines suggesting otherwise. “I never said LeBron was the greatest, that was never said,” Pippen said during an appearance on a podcast. When asked to choose between Jordan and LeBron, Pippen completely dismissed the question, calling it “stupid” and reiterating that he and James had no personal connection.

Pippen did acknowledge Jordan’s unparalleled competitiveness, noting that he condensed his entire legacy into a dominant 12- to 14-year stretch, while LeBron has had to maintain his excellence for over 20 years. “It’s not the same drive, it’s not the same fight, it’s not the same hunger,” Pippen explained. Surprisingly, he even ranked Magic Johnson above both, citing Magic’s leadership and ability to elevate an entire team. While Pippen’s comments sparked controversy, they also highlighted the complexity of the GOAT conversation-where individual talent, team success, and longevity all play a role.

LeBron James’ and the Lakers’ Title Aspirations

While the GOAT debate rages on, LeBron James continues to build on his unparalleled career. At 40 years old, he remains one of the NBA’s most dominant forces, averaging numbers that rival his prime years in Miami. With the Lakers currently sitting at 38-21, James has helped keep them in the playoff hunt, forming a strong partnership with Luka Doncic. Their chemistry has been instrumental in the Lakers’ recent six-game winning streak, second only to the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ league-best 10-game run. The Lakers are now the second seed in the West and will be fighting for that seed with the Nuggets, Grizzlies and Rockets until the end of the season, as they are only one and a half games apart. The end of the season will be a heart-stopping one.

James is now one point away from reaching 50,000 career points (regular season + playoffs), a feat that seems nearly impossible for any active player – except perhaps Doncic. Much will depend on how long LeBron continues to play, as many believe he could extend his career into his mid-40s, following in the footsteps of Tom Brady. While his contract runs through next season, there is already speculation that he may stick around long enough to play alongside his younger son, Bryce. If that happens, the GOAT debate will take on a whole new dimension as James continues to rewrite history with each passing season.