<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Scottie Pippen is serious about making an NBA comeback.Scottie Pippen says he could come off the bench and provide leadership for a playoff team.Pippen, 41, hasn't played since Febr uary 2004, when a left knee injury forced him to retire. But he told reproters Thursday that he wants to return, hopefully to a contender that could make use of his experience in a playoff run. He said he's in good shape, his knee is fine and he'd even be willing to sign a 10-day contract to prove what he can do. "I'm not going to be a nonstop high-flyer like I was in my prime," Pippen said. "But I can still run. I can still dunk. But most of all, I know the game." Pippen is in Las Vegas, where he will take part in the Shooting Stars contest during NBA All-Star weekend. Bulls guard Ben Gordon and Candice Dupree of the WNBA's Chicago Sky will be Pippen's teammates in the contest. "I'm thinking of trying to come back for the playoffs," Pippen said. "Something like the last two months of the season, somewhere I can come back and play limited minutes to start, play point forward for someone and build toward the playoffs. It's something I've been thinking about for the last three months." Pippen said he'd like to eventually become an NBA coach and would be willing to apprentice as an assistant as well. ''But I'd like to play first," he said. "I feel I still have a year and a half of basketball left in me if I'm put in the right situation. I'd even be willing to sign a 10-day contract. At least that would be a start. I just want a chance to show that I can still help a team.''</div>Source: ESPNI think it's possible, as there are many teams who could currently use him in some capacity. Obviously he won't play heavy minutes, but I could see him being useful to some playoff teams for about 15 to 20 minutes a night.Thoughts? Who do you think could use him and would possibly be interested?
I'd say that teams like Miami, Lakers, Cavaliers would all be intrested. If he would come back, I'm sure that the Cavs would be the frontrunner because of their terrible PG spot. He wouldn't be a star, but he'd be an asset to a team in a player-coach role. He can probably still provide teams with 10-15 PPG
I'd like to see the Jazz go and try to bring him in, if he can still play any semblance of defense, he would be better than any 2 the Jazz have, thats even if he could play the two now.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>He can probably still provide teams with 10-15 PPG</div>I don't know about that, if he couldn't average double digit scoring 4 years ago when he was 37, I doubt he could do that now at age 41. However, Pippen could be an asset to a few NBA teams. I think it would be similar to the Magic Johnson situation when he was with the Lakers, after he had been retired for 4 years, he decided to make a comeback and play the 2nd half of the season. He put up 15 points, and 7 assists as an old man who hasn't played NBA basketball in over 4 years which is impressive as hell, but he wasn't there to put up numbers. He was the vocal leader of that team, and he was there to teach and mentor the young guys on the roster. ( Eddie Jones, Nick Van Exel, ect.)That's how I see Pippen working out for the team who gives him a chance. He's going to score 5-7 points each night, but he will be there teaching the younger players a few tricks and tips about the game. I could see a few playoff bound teams giving him a chance to play 10-15 minutes off the bench. He may not be quick enough to be a lock down defender at this point in his career, but I'm sure he's still smarter than 90% of the current NBA players. That's going to carry him through the season. One of the concerns I have about Pippen is his knee injury, that's what forced him to retire in the first place. Being 41 years old is tough enough, but being 41 with bad knees is another thing. I can't imagine his knee feeling 100% through the course of a 2 month season. Overall, I think he could become an asset to a few teams in the league. He's an extremely smart player, he can mentor the young guys, and he can even score a few points. I wouldn't mind Denver giving him a phone call, we could use a leader at this point.
Bad move, I can't see him coming onto a team and helping them much. Especially one of these contenders. They don't need his experience. That's something younger up and coming teams need. Contenders already have a solid base, looks like he's just wanting to catch another ring imo.It's just like these other players who are trying to return. But when it comes down to it, their mind is not where their body is. This is the category Pippen is in. He's better off helping players as a coach. Not taking up a roster and doing that.
I agree with Rok, Pip is most likely just chasing an extra ring to add to his accomplishments list. However, I'd most definitely cheer him on if he does indeed come back. He's my favorite SF of all time. I've seen so many old Bulls games, and I fell in love with Pip's game. I don't know what team he'd go to, but I do think that the Lakers make the most sense. They don't really have a PG that can run the offense and obviously Scottie would love playing for Phil again.
I love the idea of Pippen coming back but I think that generation is fading away..it's a new game and I don't think Pippen would be able to do even half of what he did in the 90sI love Pip's game but he honestly won't be able to contribute in a large way to a team..maybe a little but not muchmaybe he is just chasing another ring though
Would be pretty awesome if he came back and had some left in the tank, hopefully we can sign our Pippen, literally.
I think he will get no brun or minutes at all. Maybe the Mavs because he can provide some leadership and expirinece for a championship run or playoffs
Pistons will take him.What could signing him to a 10-day contract hurt? We can see how he does. He can split minutes at point with Lindsey and backup some behind Tayshaun.Let's do it Joe.
he does seem like he's made a definite decision. I dont see him with more than 12 points a game for any team, I would like 2 see him playin tho, even if 4 just a short while
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Captain @ Feb 16 2007, 03:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Pistons will take him.What could signing him to a 10-day contract hurt? We can see how he does. He can split minutes at point with Lindsey and backup some behind Tayshaun.Let's do it Joe.</div>Noooooooo!!! :ranting: If the Piston get him, I will go crazy. Cleveland needs to grab him, but hopefully he has enough in the tank and we don't take him and he does sh*t.
I don't think he should come back because there's no reason for him to do so. He has nothing to prove other then the fact that he never led a team to a title without MJ but at 41 years old I just don't think he can do it and from what the article said wouldn't want to try that anyway. If he did come back though I think the best place for him to go is the Lakers. I think it would be really good if he came back and played 1 or 2 seasons and then became a coach for the Lakers. I believe he could really help Lamar Odom and the other SF's with the Triangle.
I would love to see him comback...hes probably pretty athletic still despite his age...not saying hes still going to posterize people....but evem Dr J still dunks...most valuable part of him will be his experience....if he did come back, he'll be the most experienced player in the NBA, alotve people forget that he was right beside MJ through everything.....I think he can get 7ppg, 3rpg and a steal. Thats given good minutes though....
If he signs with any team right now it will most likely either be the Bulls or Lakers. He is still involved with the Bulls organization and knows the players on the team. As for the Lakers, this offseason and training camp Scottie helped assistant coach and worked with Lamar Odom extensively. I am not sure the Lakers would need him or even that the Bulls would. It couldn't hurt.
Mabye Dallas will sign him to a ten day contract since deven gorge is out for a bit ?Mabye the Cav's will sign him since there weak at the guard positions, im sure Pippen could help there and plus they need more experence on this cleveland team.Mabye the Sixers, he could help there game attendence rise jk.Mabye the Knicks, There GM will sign anyone to any type of contract and if Pippen see's them as contenders this year or next year then the knicks might be a option for him. plus there in the atlantic division xDOther options are Houston, Utah, LA Lakers & WashingtonId' love to see Scottie Pippen return to the court as a player, I really would.
I think he can provide leadership and some decent D in limited minutes, but not much more.I think Detroit has way too many options at his posistions, but the Cavs would seem good, as would Denver as mentioned. I don't think you will see him in a Bulls uni anytime soon though.(We will have to watch the 'Shooting Stars' comp very closely now. lol.)
Detroit doesn't have at all a lot of options at his positions.You have Hunter backing up point, and Delfino backing up Rip AND Tayshaun. Flip hasn't played a second for about a month and we're looking to trade him.Move Delfino to back up Rip, put Pippen at SF and you're set. Trade Flip and Nazr or Davis for a backup point guard and we are set. Mike James is a big rumor right now.PG: James/HunterSG: Delfino/JamesSF: Pippen/DelfinoPF: McDyess/MaxiellC: Nazr or DavisI'd be absolutely happy with that lineup.
