Scottie Pippen or James Worthy, in their prime, who was better?

Question

I'd say Big Game James!!!

Answer 1

Tweety, check that.........It was Michael Jordan who guarded Worthy for most of the 1991 finals.

Magic Johnson kept taking Jordan down low, and was absolutely destroying him in the post. The Lakers actually won game one in Chicago (after Jordan missed ANOTHER potential game winning shot. I don't think that made Sportscenter that night ).

In game two, Magic put 3 quick fouls on Jordan, so Phil Jackson decided to put Pippen on Magic, and moved Jordan over to guard Worthy, who was playing on a sprained ankle. Worthy missed game 5 (along with Byron Scott), and the Bulls won the series.

So much for Jordan's defensive superiority. LOL


Worthy was known mostly for his quick "first step", in the post, and gave defenders fits. He was also a great finisher on the fast breaks. And yes, he was capable of stepping up when needed.

Pippen was a great player, who really benefitted AFTER Jordan retired, because Jordan wouldn't let anyone take away the spotlight from him. If you look at his stats with and without Jordan, you'll see the difference.

Pippen could also bring the ball down, and play "point forward, much like Larry Bird. He was a solid defender, and helped any team he played on. Jordan doesn't win without Pippen, period.

With that said, I would probably give a slight edge to Pippen.

Answer 2

Worthy was a player who elevated his game when playoff time arrived. He had a regular season scoring average of 17 ppg and a playoff average of over 21 ppg.

Worthy also picked the best possible time to get his first career triple-double (which occurred during his sixth year in the NBA). His 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assist in Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals against the Pistons earned him the MVP award for the series. Worthy single-handedly kept the Lakers in that game 7 by scoring 20 in the first half.

Early in their careers, both Worthy and Pippen could be intimidated by hard physical play, but they both learned to get over this, and became real forces in the playoffs.

In terms of individual skills, they had similar shooting ranges, and I'd say their shooting skills were about even. Pippen was a better on-the-ball defender, but Worthy's defensive play was always a bit underrated. But Pippen was a better defender. In fact, Pippen was one of the greatest individual defenders among non-centers in NBA history.

Pippen was also a much better ball handler, and I might give him an edge in passing as well, although Worthy was an excellent passer himself.

Both players were extremely intelligent, and both had teammates (Magic and Michael) that allowed them to make the most of their abilities.

Worthy and Pippen met in one NBA final (in 1991). They were matched up individually, but Worthy was over the hill and playing injured by that time, while Pippen was coming into his prime and was healthy. Pippen outplayed and was clearly superior to Worthy in those finals.

Having said that, and taking both players in their prime, I would rather have Worthy on my team for a Game 7 ...however, out of context, Pippen was a better basketball player than Worthy, in terms of individual skills in all areas.

Yup, hoopfan, you are right... I stand corrected re the defensive matchup in that 91 final. I remember Worthy and Jordan guarding each other, because it was a matchup of former Tarheel teammates, but I'd forgotten that this was pretty much the matchup during the whole series, rather than Worthy vs. Pippen.

Jackson used Pippen on Magic in that series in much the same way as the Pistons sometimes used Rodman to harass Magic bringing the ball up in the court in those Finals against the Pistons.

Answer 3

Both were very good players. But I have to disagree. Scottie Pippen is very underrated because of Jordan. Yes, Worthy was at N.C. at the same time as Jordan, but MJ wasn't the leader on that team. It would be very close.

Answer 4

Big Game James, hands down. I don't even consider Pippen to be at the same level of skills.

Answer 5

James Worthy .. Pippen was only as good as Michael made him.

Answer 6

I'd agree with you on that ..James Worthy....got alot more attention as well that could sway all of our opinions in this. You know the power of the media. Perhaps we better study the stats to be sure.

Answer 7

No brainer..From the words of one of the best if not the best defender in nba history Dennis Rodman said " James Worthy is unguardable.

Answer 8

Worthy by far !!