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Judging by all the trials and battles that Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen overcame during their time together on the Chicago Bulls, one would think the bond they forged would last a lifetime. With six NBA titles and countless times they were in the trenches, battling side by side against the NBA's best, many thought the relationship between the two Bulls icons was bulletproof.
Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case, as Jordan and Pippen haven't spoken to one another since the "The Last Dance" documentary was released in 2020. In Pip's eyes, MJ used the 10-part documentary to glorify himself, while downplaying the efforts of every member of that 1997-98 squad that clinched their sixth and final NBA title.
Pippen also hasn't done their relationship any favors by making several scathing remarks about Jordan in his book, "Unguarded." However, hope springs eternal, as the duo's former teammate, Dennis Rodman, shared his belief that they would eventually mend their fences someday.
The ball is in MJ's court
Rodman knows both players well, as he had battled them while a stalwart for the Bad Boys Detroit Pistons before joining them on the Bulls in 1995. While some expressed skepticism at how the eccentric Worm would blend in with the business-like MJ, the former actually played well and was generally on his best behavior during his time in the Windy City.
He won three more rebounding titles as a Bull and was named to the All-Defensive First Team in 1996. But if there's one thing that Rodman learned during his time playing with the awesome Bulls duo, it was that Jordan is as stubborn as a mule; it was both a curse and a blessing.
"Michael is Michael, man. It's a Michael Jordan thing. It's the key," Rodman recently declared. "It's a Michael Jordan thing. He may do it one day. He may do it."
Jordan's uncompromising nature allowed him to overcome whatever challenge was in front of him. Whether that was being cut from the high school varsity team or the obscene physical hits the Pistons doled out in their many showdowns in the 1980s. At the same time, it's that same stubbornness that has allowed him to hold a grudge and keep from talking to Pippen all these years.
There's hope
While the Jordan-Pippen feud looks dire, there is a sliver of hope, considering how Hall of Famer Charles Barkley recently reconnected with His Airness after not talking for over a decade. It can be recalled that Chuck was critical of Mike's job as an executive and owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Obviously, the GOAT took exception to his friend's comments on TV, leading to a falling-out that lasted more than a decade.
However, the two recently spoke on the phone, and Barkley shared a tidbit of that conversation.
"I said, 'Oh, man, how you doing? I hope you're doing great.' And we're like, 'Yo, man, let's let this bulls–it go. We were great friends, brothers for a long time, and both of us being selfish and stupid,'" Barkley shared.
"I said, 'Yeah, we are. We're both selfish and stupid and stubborn more than anything.' He says, 'Hey, man, as soon as basketball is over, come down to my golf course, and let's play,' and I said, 'Man, I'd be honored to. You know, I miss your friendship.' And he said, 'I miss your friendship,'" he added.
If Jordan and Barkley can end their cold war just like that, perhaps Pippen and Jordan can do the same.
