Scottie Pippen is back on the topic of the Toni Kukoc’s shot in the final seconds of the Chicago Bulls’ 1994 playoff game against the New York Knicks. Coach Phil Jackson infamously chose Kukoc — and, most importantly not Pippen — to take the shot. Pippen issued his strongest opinion yet on the topic.
During an interview with GQ, Pippen said he felt the decision was “a racial move.” Pippen faced follow-up questions about that during an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show.” Patrick said Pippen’s comments suggested Jackson’s decision was racist. Pippen agreed with that. And then Patrick asked Pippen whether he felt Jackson was and is a racist.
“Yeah, I mean, do you remember Phil Jackson went and left the Lakers, wrote a book about Kobe Bryant and then came back and coached him? Who would do that? You name someone in professional sports who would do that,” Pippen said. “I think he probably exposed Kobe in a way that he shouldn’t have.
“You’re the head coach and you’re the guy that sits in the locker room and tells players this is a circle and everything stays within the circle, because that’s what team is about. But you as a head coach open it up. And now you go out and try to belittle one of, at that time, the best players in the game.”
DP: ".. By saying it was a racial move then you're calling Phil Jackson a racist…"
Pippen: "I don't have a problem with that."
DP: "Do you think Phil was?"
Pippen: "Oh yeah…"
Exchange with @ScottiePippen on Phil's decision to have Kukoc take final shot against the Knicks pic.twitter.com/pH2aDLMDcQ
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) June 28, 2021
Patrick responded that it sounded more like Jackson was disloyal, rather than a racist.
“That’s your way of putting it out,” Pippen said. “I have mine. I was in the locker room with him. I was in practices with him. You’re looking from afar.”
It’s yet another unique take for Pippen, who isn’t one to mince his words when talking about the biggest stars in the NBA.
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