Pippen Considering NBA Comeback?

[달려라티맥]

Pippen comeback? Great Scottie!

Stellar event in Vegas The gambling and show biz capital is a good fit for the NBA. Sam Smith, PAGE 2
By Sam Smith
Tribune pro basketball reporter
Published February 15, 2007, 10:49 PM CST

LAS VEGAS -- He's back. Almost.

It's not quite the impact of Michael Jordan's famous two-word return to basketball in 1995, but Scottie Pippen is seriously considering a comeback and hopes to play for a contending team in this season's playoffs.

Pippen, who turned 41 on Sept. 25, says he's in better condition and health than at any time in the last five years. And in the Eastern Conference, his veteran presence could change the balance of power and be a major influence in the playoffs. Or he might be the long-sought backup to relieve the pressure on the Suns' Steve Nash. The possibilities are intriguing.

Pippen will give an indication of where he is physically when he teams with the Bulls' Ben Gordon and the Chicago Sky's Candice Dupree in the "Shooting Stars" contest part as part of Saturday night's All-Star festivities.

"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 last played for the Bulls in the 2003-04 season, when knee problems limited him to 23 games. He said he's considering the right situation and plans to talk to some teams and players during the weekend.

"Being out of the game, my body feels great," Pippen said, adding that his body fat is at an all-time low 5 percent and he's at his top playing weight of about 220 pounds.

"Taking this break, it feels amazing. I'm looking at somewhere I could play maybe 15 minutes. I'm not trying to be a big-money guy or anything, [just trying to] get with a team I can help in the playoffs.

"My knee is good," Pippen said. "I've been working out regularly, doing drills. I see my body like guys like Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar, who played till he was 42) and Robert Parish (who played until just short of 44). My body is lanky and flexible like theirs. That gives me some hope I can do it.

"I'm moving good. I feel pretty fast and you don't forget the game. I watch and see so many young guys who don't know how to run a team and I feel I could help someone."

Pippen wants to move into coaching and said his ideal situation would be to serve as a player-coach. He believes his experience running Phil Jackson's Bulls offense and as the leader of good Trail Blazers teams in the late 1990s gives him a step up in coaching.

The Bulls bought out Pippen's contract before the 2004-05 season. He didn't mention the Bulls as a possible destination, but he doesn't seem like a good fit with their surplus of guards and small forwards.

Perhaps there would be a spot for him if the Bulls were to trade for Pau Gasol and give up some of their forwards. Pippen remains close with Bulls general manager John Paxson and has worked with players on the team in the last few years.

There are at least two other contending Eastern Conference teams Pippen could greatly affect if he's in the shape he says he's in.

The Miami Heat has been desperate for a point guard with Jason Williams hurt and Gary Payton proving ineffective. Pippen could relieve ball-handling pressure on Dwyane Wade and work inside with Shaquille O'Neal. And he lives in Ft. Lauderdale.

Also, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been desperate for a point guard. With Eric Snow benched, they're playing rookie second-rounder Daniel Gibson at the point. That leaves LeBron James to shoulder even more duties. Pippen could relieve James and get him free to operate in the open court much as he did with Jordan.

Of course, that was a long time ago. But we've seen 40-ish veterans in all sports make an impact with their knowledge and execution. It's especially vital in the playoffs with more half-court play.

Pippen, a classic point guard, played 11 seasons with the Bulls before a year in Houston and four with Portland.

After leaving Portland, Pippen played one injury-plagued season with the Bulls, averaging 5.9 points, his first season under double digits. His career averages are 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists. One of the most versatile players of his era, he played on seven All-Star teams, but 208 playoff games wore out his body. He was all-NBA seven times and all-defense 10 times. He played for two winning Olympic teams and was voted one of the 50 greatest players of all time.

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl this week talked about needing a point guard and some decision-making help. Maybe the Spurs? How about a reunion with Jackson—the Lakers have been desperate for a point guard. Back to Houston in a slower game with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming? To Minnesota to help Kevin Garnett?

There is no shortage of teams that can use a guy who has played with six championship teams and makes teammates better with his court awareness and passing. And Pippen isn't talking about long-term or taking someone's job. Just a nice add-on for a playoff run or two. Would he help any less than some 15th guy on the roster?

At the very least he has seen it all in the playoffs and would be like an extra coach on the floor.

"I'll see how this weekend turns out," Pippen said. "Maybe I'll make a mess of that shooting stars."

Probably not. He could be a heck of an addition for someone.

Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

* Real GM !

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확 줄여서 말하자면..

피펜 복귀하는건가요..

그가 지금 자신의 몸이 최상이고 돌아오고 싶다고 하네요..

이 기사엔 여러 가능성 있는 팀들을 거론했네요..

특히 포가의 부재로 주춤하고 잇는 팀들..

선즈, 불스, 캡스, 히트, 로켓츠, 너겟츠..

그리고 만약 그가 동부컨퍼로 돌아간다면 혹 서고동저의 기운도.. 모른다는..

지난 03-04 시즌 때 불스에서 무릎부상 때문에 경기수가 확 줄엇구요

04-05 시즌전에 불스에 의해 바이아웃 된게 맞는거죠?

여튼.. 피펜 이제 41세의 나이로 접어든다고 하네요.. 무톰보옹도 계시니 뭐..

이번 올스타전 '슈팅스타'에 벤고든, 캔디스 듀프리(?);와 함께 출전하신다네요..

이 기사만 보면 정말 가능성이 잇는거 같은데..?

로켓츠로........

[Dynamic-Melong]

너게츠로 오세요.

[드와이트하워드의넓은어깨]

안했으면좋겠는데ㅜㅡ;

[느낌이좋아]

정말로 1번부재인 미네소타로 오세요...제발 미네좀 제발 살려줘요

[㈜天上天下 미네獨尊™]

미네좀 살려주세요 피펜옹~~ 피펜옹 복사판 가넷도 있어욬

[Knicks19]

지금 몸상태만 좋다면 백업으로10분은 나오며 평균3득점-1리바운드-1어시스트정도는 해줄수있을듯.

[느낌이좋아]

그래도 레전드인데 너무 냉혹한거 아니가요 ㅠㅠ

[Tim&ZO]

와우! 핍 너무 보고 싶어요!!

[shakur!!]

주전 포가 백업으루5~6점에 3리바 4어시쯤??

[dodues]

불스는 가드진이 넘쳐서 힘들거라네요. 사실 전술적으로는 레이커스가 제일 좋을 것 같긴 하네요. 선즈에는 어울릴 것 같지 않고.

[멜로청년]

불스로 오셔요.........그래도

[HUKA™]

켑스에서 르브론에게 수비와 승리를 가르쳐주길...

[스프리웰]

별로,..그냥 가만히 계시지.. 피펜 소식은 반갑지만..그래도 나이를 생각하시는게..ㅡㅡ; 쩝.

[KevIn Garnett]

어떻게 미네소타로 오시면 안될까요?

[MJ23 vs T-Mac1, VC15]

저도 솔직히 반갑기는 하지만 왠지 꺼름직하네요... 그냥 이벤트성 컴백이 되지나 않을런지... 생각은 이렇지만 솔직히 오기만 한다면 기쁜 마음이 먼저 들 것 같네요~ ^^ (기사보니 자신의 무릎 상태는 최상이고, 돈 구애받지 않고 플레이오프에서 적당히 뛰면서 플레잉 코치처럼 뛰고 싶다는 것 같군요. 정말 복귀할 것 같은데요? ㅎㅎㅎ)

[The앤써3번]

덴버로와서 앤써니 올라운드의 지존으로~ 만들어주세요~!!!

[nevermind_]

제목만 보고 '지도자로 복귀하나?' 그랬는데, 레전드가 괜한 짓 해서 말년에 웃음거리가 되는 게 아닐지 걱정스럽네요.

[마이클황제]

피펜 불스에서 영구번호인가요??

[HighFlyingWade]

그러게 제발 돌아오지 마라... 이런식의 복귀는 결사 반대다 ㅜㅠ Nique, Air 모두 결국엔 왕년의 포스 보여주지 못하고 희미하게 사라졌잖니 ㅜㅠ

[sunman]

돌아오지 마세요....... 41살의 나이는 정말.....

[Great #3]

한가닥 했던 분들은 코트 밖에서 보고 있으면 속 깊은 곳에서 뛰고 싶다라는 열망이 용솟음 치시나봐요. 보고 싶기도 하고... 그냥 깨끗이 물러난 상태로 있는 것도 좋을 것 같기도 하고...

[PHX-Barca!]

선즈로!!!!! 피펜이 선즈에 오게 되면, 조낸 뛰다가 골병들어 한 10년은 더 늙어버릴듯... ㅡ.ㅡ

[L.a lakers]

피펜아 레이커스로 와라.......필 잭슨이 있잖앙............

[마에스트로 지단]

피펜, 복귀하고싶어하는 로드맨과 패키지로 뉴저지로 오세요~~~

[Zech]

피펜 복귀하면 흥미롭긴 하겠네요. 몸 상태가 좋다면 5-10분 땜빵하는데는 크게 지장없겠죠. 근데 라커룸 리더로써는 좀 의문이네요. 피펜이 요즘 선수들에 대해 평가도 안 좋겠하는 축에 속하고 융화력이 탁월한 편이 아니잖아요. 어쨌든 베테랑 미니멈이라면 어느 팀에서건 도움은 될 거 같습니다. 휴스턴 오면 좋겠는데 전에 안 좋은 추억 때문에 휴스턴에는 안 올거같구... 필 잭슨 있는 레이커스도 코비랑 좀 껄끄러운 관계라서 그다지 가능성 없어 보이구... 결국 마이애미로 가지 않겠나 하네요.

[Zech]

기사 중간에 Pippen, a classic point guard... 라는 문구는 재미있네요. 하긴 역대 최고 포인트 가드 투표에서도 3표나 받았긴 했죠. 뭐 어떻게든 빨리 복귀전 가지면 좋겠습니다. 리그 흥행에도 도움되고 개인적으로도 아주 흥미진진하네요. 디트로이트나 스퍼스도 괜찮아 보이구... ^^;;;

[-THE FLASH-]

웰컴투 마이애미!!!! 노장으로 도배하자

[르브론제임스 23]

클리블랜드로 와 주세요^^