Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Kerr: Nobody resented Pippen over '97 surgery

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Tuesday, 21 April 2020 14:19

Former Chicago Bulls teammates Michael Jordan and Steve Kerr have had their disagreements before, but this one probably won't end with anyone getting punched in the face.

Jordan took an unflinching stance in Episode 2 of the documentary series "The Last Dance" when addressing then-teammate Scottie Pippen's decision to delay foot surgery until shortly before the 1997-98 season.

"Scottie was wrong in that scenario," Jordan said in the episode, which debuted Sunday night on ESPN. "He could've got his surgery done as soon as the season was over and be ready for the season. What Scottie was trying to do was trying to force management to change his contract. And [owner Jerry Reinsdorf] was never going to do that."

However, Kerr, who famously tangled with Jordan in a 1995 training camp, disagreed with Jordan's position in an interview with Rachel Nichols that aired Tuesday on ESPN's The Jump.

Asked whether there was resentment from other Bulls players over Pippen's decision, Kerr said, "No, not at all."

"Everyone respected Scottie so much," Kerr said. "We felt his frustration. He probably should have been the second-highest-paid guy in the NBA or definitely top-five. So we all felt for him, nobody resented him for having that surgery. Later, we all understood, let's give him his space, and he's going to be there for the second stretch of the season for us."

Pippen, the clear No. 2 on the Bulls, ended that 1997-98 season as only the sixth-highest-paid player on the team, playing out an $18 million extension he had signed after Chicago won its first championship in 1991. Even Reinsdorf told Pippen that deal wasn't in his best interest. The contract situation and various trade talks led to a soured relationship between Pippen and the team.

"I decided to have surgery late because I was like, 'You know what, I'm not going to f--- my summer up,'" Pippen said in the documentary.

Kerr also addressed the different scrutiny faced by those Bulls and his similarly dominant Golden State Warriors team in an era of 24-hour media and Twitter.

"I think [Jordan] would have acted differently," Kerr said. "I think he would have adapted to the scrutiny that he was facing."

But Kerr also pointed to the toll that attention can take on a player.

"I always will maintain that the reason he went and played baseball was because he was fried emotionally from the scrutiny that really only he felt," Kerr said. "Watching him, by the time that I got there, and the life compared to everyone else. ... It was insane. So I think he had had enough and just stepped away for a little while, came back and was ready to roll."

Read 4604 times

Soccer

Pogba to star in French movie amid doping ban

Pogba to star in French movie amid doping ban

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWorld Cup winner Paul Pogba will star in a French film to be releas...

Salah back on target as Liverpool put 4 past Spurs

Salah back on target as Liverpool put 4 past Spurs

Liverpool finally found some form in a 4-2 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday i...

Leverkusen streak up to 48 with Alonso suspended

Leverkusen streak up to 48 with Alonso suspended

Champions Bayer Leverkusen extended their unbeaten streak as they secured a 5-1 away victory over Ei...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Why wait? Malone wants better starts by Nuggets

Why wait? Malone wants better starts by Nuggets

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- On the way to the championship last season, the Denver Nu...

Edwards outduels Jokic: Wolves 'know who we are'

Edwards outduels Jokic: Wolves 'know who we are'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- If you asked another young star what it felt like to go i...

Baseball

Dodgers place Phillips on IL, activate Treinen

Dodgers place Phillips on IL, activate Treinen

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Los Angeles Dodgers placed right-handed reliever Evan Phillips...

Arraez a big hit in Padres debut, goes 4-for-6

Arraez a big hit in Padres debut, goes 4-for-6

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Luis Arraez had four hits and an RBI in his first game a...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated