If Michael Jordan didn't have Pippen, could he have won all them championships?

Question

I totally think he could of. MJ in his championship years(when he matured & learned how to use a team) could of won championships with any team he had. You could of replaced anyone on the Bulls, but you couldn't replace MJ. MJ most definitely could of did it without Pippen. He made Pippen & the other players much better then what they were.

Answer 1

Hello again James W.........let's examine Jordan's career, shall we:

His first season with Chicago, he led them to a 38-44 record, losing in the first round of the playoffs.

His second season, another losing record (30-52), swept by the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs

His third season, MJ's Bulls posted their third consecutive losing record 40-42, and once again were swept by the Celtics in the first round.

In his fourth season, the Bulls draft Scottie Pippen, and FINALLY win more games than they lose, 50-32. They also FINALLY make it to the second round of the playoffs, losing to Detroit 4-1.

In his fifth season, they finish in 5th place (out of six teams), but make it to the eastern conference finals, losing again to Detroit 4-2.

In his 6th season (Phil Jackson's first), they finish in second place, but lose the eastern conference finals in seven games to Detroit.

In his 7th season, the Bulls win their first of three championships in a row. The Bulls finish the 1993 season at 57-25, then Jordan retires to play baseball.

In 1994, the first season without Jordan, everyone predicted the Bulls would fall apart. So what happened???

The Bulls finish with a 55-27 record, only winning two games less than with Jordan. Pippen had his best year WITHOUT JORDAN , as did everyone else on the team. Pippen, Horace Grant, and BJ Armstrong all made the all-star team. And had it not been for a blown call by the refs in the playoffs, the Bulls would have made it to the finals that year. All of this WITHOUT Michael Jordan there to "make them better players." LOL

How could the Bulls' only slip 2 games without Jordan, considering "he was the sole reason for them winning?"

How about the next year (1995). Pippen becomes only the second player in history to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. All without Jordan there to "make him a better player."

Jordan probably see's that the Bulls are winning without him, and decides to return (he wasn't having any luck in baseball either). He plays in the final 18 games, and the Bulls make the playoffs. They end up losing in the second round to Orlando 4-2. (What happened to Jordan "willing his team to victory?")

Then the Bulls win 3 more titles, and Jordan retires for a second time. He returns a couple of years later to lead the Wizards to two consecutive losing seasons (without Pippen), failing to make the playoffs either time, and then retires for good.

Jordan played five seasons without Pippen. In those five seasons, he posted five losing records, missed the playoffs twice, and was 1-9 in the playoffs.

Pippen went on to play for Houston and Portland, making the playoffs every year. He returned to Chicago, but was limited to 25 games due to injuries. That was his only losing season in the NBA.

Let's recap: Jordan joins the Bulls and posts 3 consecutive losing records until they draft Pippen. They then get their first winning season. They keep adding players and getting better, until they finally win a title. Then Jordan leaves, and the Bulls only slip two games. Jordan returns and the Bulls do worse than the year before. They get Rodman, win three more titles, and then they disband the team.

Pippen goes on to succes with two other teams, without Jordan. Michael Jordan goes to Washington, and posts two more losing records, then retires permanantly.

So to answer your question, no Jordan didn't make Pippen. PIPPEN, and the rest of the Bulls MADE JORDAN . Any more questions, IDIOT?!?

Answer 2

That depends on who his team mates would be. Obviously he could have won some championships had he played with say, Karl Malone or David Robinson. But are you asking if he played with the exact Bulls teams except for Pippen?

If that's your question, I would say he wouldn't have had a chance in the world. I love Mike as much as anyone, but I still say Scottie Pippen will probably go down as one of the most under rated players of all time. It is very, very hard to replace an a guy that can give you 19 points, 8 rebounds, six assists and two steals every single night. Scottie's defense led to fast breaks and easy points for the Bulls. His offense and athleticsm took pressure off Jordan and gave him more room to operate.

And for anyone that points to Pippen's post Bulls career as proof he wasn't great, keep in mind he had back surgery that summer and was never the same player afterwards.

Answer 3

I think it will never be known, now will it. There was more to Jordans playoff turn around then just Scotty Pippen and it didn't happen ASAP (As Soon As Pippen) either. Dominique Wilkins was one of the greatest offensive players of all time. To be compared to him is not an insult. Jordan was a far better defender then 'Nique was though. You can say it all you want, but the people who actually play the game. Including your beloved Kobe all say that MJ was the best. You and I can talk until we are blue in the face and when it comes down to it, the statement that MJ was the greatest is made by coaches, players and analysts who were and are actually involved in Professional Basketball.

Answer 4

I agree that he is the best player ever to play but I do not think that he would have won as many championships as he did without pippen. He may have won 2 or 3 but not 6. The coach also had something to do wth it. If you look at the years that Jordan didnt play, they were still a good team. Pippen still led them in the playoff hunt while Jordan was playing Baseball.

Answer 5

I do think that Michael Jordan and the Bulls would have won various championships. I'm not dissing Scottie Pippen's skills because he was a fabulous player but a superstar? Nope. Jordan made him and others better, much like what Steve Nash is doing with the Suns, aside from Amare Stoudemire.

Answer 6

Nope. Without Pippen, the Bulls best on the ball defender and facilitator MJ doesn't win any titles. Pippen and the rest of the Bulls made MJ better not the other way around.

Answer 7

if he could have, he would have. he's a phenomenal player as we all know. his records and stats speak for themselves. that's all clear! now, we also know that throughout history, there has NEVER been a real lone ranger. the real ranger had a sidekick named tonto. you need help in the form of at least one other when you go into battle. teams double and triple team single option offenses very effectively. you need somebody else to share the load and get you over the hump. scottie was the glue for that team much like what odom does for kobe. pippen almost did it without jordan if you remember the bogus nick anderson foul call at the end of regulation that kept the magic in the playoffs when jordan was off soul searching in the minor leagues of baseball. no pippen or a player of his caliber on that team, then no titles especially not that many. don't be no fool!!

Answer 8

Hate to break it to you, but you're wrong.
Every NBA champion needs at least 2 stars. Look at all the NBA championchips in the modern era (shot clock). 2 stars each and every one. This is an UNVARYING rule. Look it up.
Why? Because the double-team would have taken the ball out of Jordans hands. Who stepped up to score 18-20 ppg? Future HOF and NBA All Time Top 50's own... Scottie Pippen

Remeber when Jordan was out that year? Go to NBA. com and check Pippens stats that year (he led the Bulls in something like 7 or 8 categories).

Answer 9

No way! They needed each other even though you could make the argument that Pippen's career without Jordan was better than the other way around. But the bottom line is neither won a ring without the other.

Answer 10

He probably would have won some but not all six championships. The Boston Celtics teams that won the 12 championships had three key players that made their team so successful. Wilt Chamberlain didn't win that many championships and he was the most dominant player of his time. Kobe won with Shaq and Shaq won with Wade. You can't win championships with just one player.

Answer 11

was never a big fan of pippen but even i have to admit that they wouldnt have won any titles without him. i dont even think they wouldve beaten the pistons without pip. and remember the whole complexion of the 91' finals versus the lakers changed when scottie started guarding magic.

think about it...if pippen wasnt traded olden polynice wouldve been a bull...and they might of still had dennis hopson. yah...thats sure sounds like a championship team that wouldve won 72 games.