Pippen says he wants to play for contender

[Warhawk]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2767861

Scottie Pippen is serious about making an NBA comeback.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
Scottie Pippen says he could come off the bench and provide leadership for a playoff team.





Pippen, 41, hasn't played since February 2004, when a left knee injury forced him to retire. But he told reporters 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.''

 

[SLAB]

Could he go the way of the Lakers?

With Phil Jackson and point forward and the familiar triangle offense that seems like the most logical choice.

Also didn't he consider going there before his last season?

 

[supamari0]

[rant]The guy is over 40 years old and wasn't particularly good at the end of his career. Pass, pass, pass on this doofus. The guy was an absolute flake who obliterated our franchise (the Rockets) several years ago and it's taken a decade to finally recover.

I hope he goes to the Lakers and sucks it up. [/rant]

 

[BMiller52]

He should sign with Houston

 

[tyrant]

he's better than kenny thomas

 

[VF21]

I think someone has been living in the past ... just a little. Pippen needs to know this is a young man's game and he had his shot. He wants to come back and play for a contender? He already has his jewelry. This is just denial on his part, IMHO.

 

[KingsChick]

I know he's old and has won many, but I would love to see Pippen come back. Especially the Bulls, they need help right now, with Nocioni being out and etc. Highly doubt him going there, though.

 

[hoopsfan]

I think someone has been living in the past ... just a little. Pippen needs to know this is a young man's game and he had his shot. He wants to come back and play for a contender? He already has his jewelry. This is just denial on his part, IMHO.

These guys just don't know when they need to hang it up! At least he's only retired once...so far, not 3 times like Jordan.
You're DONE Scottie...it's over!

 

[6th]

Dang! How many rings does he need? It's not enough that he wants to come back at the age of 41, but he wants to play on a contender.

Scottie, the contender teams are contenders without you. That would be with younger guys. They don't need you. Let the younger guys in the NBA have their turn.

 

[Vlade4GM]

kobe said he wanted pippen.

 

[Padrino]

kobe said he wanted pippen.

hm...well jordan already had pippen. kobe can't have him. kobe needs to find his own pippen...

 

[hoopsfan]

I guess Kobe wants his Pippen to actually be Pippen!

Heard the Heat want him...seems like they're after anyone and everyone.

 

[Beezy]

Looks like Miami has a special fondness for washed up veterans

 

[NikateeN]

I guess Kobe wants his Pippen to actually be Pippen!

Heard the Heat want him...seems like they're after anyone and everyone.

I also heard that HE wants the Heat, so my money is Pippen to to Miami.

 

[BJax24]

he's better than kenny thomas

id take him over kenny any day

 

[Dave McNulla]

[rant]The guy is over 40 years old and wasn't particularly good at the end of his career. Pass, pass, pass on this doofus. The guy was an absolute flake who obliterated our franchise (the Rockets) several years ago and it's taken a decade to finally recover.

I hope he goes to the Lakers and sucks it up. [/rant]

he only played for the rockets for one season, iirc. steve francis and catino mobley did a lot more to set the franchise back than pippen. it's not scotty's fault that yao and mcgrady are hurt so much.

that said, pippen was dragged through the mud by charles and patrick on ahmad rashad's show. they verbally pummeled him.

 

[Gargamel]

Dang! How many rings does he need? It's not enough that he wants to come back at the age of 41, but he wants to play on a contender.

Scottie, the contender teams are contenders without you. That would be with younger guys. They don't need you. Let the younger guys in the NBA have their turn.

He got hit w/ a 5 mill lawsuit, I hear. He "only" made 2 mill a year from 92 until he signed w/ Houston (which is kind of shameful when you consider guys like Jon Koncak and Jim McIllvaine). He's probably the most poorly paid player of his generation based on output. Makes me ponder how much money he's blown since retirement.