Scottie Pippen: LeBron May Be Greatest Player Ever, Michael Jordan Best Scorer [UPDATED]

UPDATE: Shortly after his radio interview, Scottie Pippen clarified his comments on his twitter account:

"Don't get me wrong, MJ was and is the greatest. But LeBron could by all means get to his level someday," he said.

EARLIER:

Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen went on theESPN Radio's Mike & Mike show on Friday morning and said that he believes LeBron James might surpass Michael Jordan as the best player ever.

"Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to ever play in the game, but I may go as far to say LeBron James is probably the greatest player to ever play the game," Pippen said. "Not only can he score at will, but he keeps everybody involved."

Pippen, who said in March that his former teammate could score 100 points in a game today, went on to say that "everybody is a threat to score" when James is in the game.

"LeBron James will dominate the game on the offensive end and he’s able to do it on the defensive end as well," he said. "He can get in those passing lanes and dominate the game."

James dominated down the stretch of Game 5 on Thursday night, leading the Heat in a game-ending 18-3 run to close out the series.

The Heat will take on the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

Comments

[Ken Washam]

09:23 PM on 06/03/2011

I don't see why Scottie is takingsome much flack for these comments. You have to let Lebron finish his career and then judge him. He just said he might be one of the best all around players.

http://thesportslowdown.com/2011/06/03/5-reasons-why-the-mavericks-won-game-2.aspx

[Milhouse901]

04:36 PM on 06/03/2011

it is funny....he spent all those years next to one, and still doesn't know what great is!!

[deb0]

12:57 PM on 05/31/2011

Scottie still not over being a multimillion dollar, championship jewelry totin sidekick.

When Lebron can get some championship[s] under his belt, then I'll consider the debate.

[Milhouse901]

04:37 PM on 06/03/2011

even if heat wins this year, it will be Wade's and James would be like Scottie....just there.

[BCP72]

11:03 AM on 05/31/2011

Scottie: MJ 6 Rings, LBJ 0! Get at me when he can at least get one!! Lastly what the hell are you smoking Scottie?

[Milhouse901]

04:38 PM on 06/03/2011

not to mention James is scoring around 20 when Jordan was dropping over 40 in the finals.

[splinky]

10:04 AM on 05/31/2011

best one-on-one player ever, maybe, if he keeps developing a few more moves, but best five-on-five? No way. A few guys ahead of him, in no particular order: MJ, Bird, Earvin Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, Russell.

[kiddub]

02:09 PM on 05/31/2011

You just named a whole team of guys to combat one. LeBron has the best collection of skills in a person his size, with his speed to date. He's one of the best offensive scorers and creators in the game, who competes for the Defensive Player of the Year award as well as the MVP. If he continues his career and wins multiple championships, I can't see how he doesn't surpass Jordan on stats alone.

[splinky]

02:23 PM on 05/31/2011

Oh, I didn't mean that he should play them one-on-five, I just meant that I think he's a great individual player (including his passing), but that those others were a better fit in a five-on-five context. James is a great one, but basketball has had so many fantastic players that it's really hard for anyone to elbow his way to Greatest Ever.

[Esa Miyake]

05:53 PM on 05/30/2011

the closest to Jordan is Kobe Bryant. LeBron was blessed with some incredible talents and an a jaw dropping combination of speed and size, however, his shot, and they way he takes on defenders is nothing like that old fade away Jordan use to put on defenders. Jordan had a higher field goal percentage, free throw percentage, steals per game, and fewer turnovers per game/possession. However, I don't think statistics have ever played a large role in determing who the greatest player of all time was, rather, how well their leadership and committment to winning was during their career. In this sense Kobe is light years ahead of Lebron. Let 'bron 'bron catch up to kobe first, before we start making claims like Scottie Pippin did.

[littlebrowngirl]

02:50 PM on 05/30/2011

LeBron will never be like Jordon. Jordon was not the highest draft pick like LeBron. Jordon was not the biggest guy on the court like Lebron. Jordon had the mental toughness to handle the pressure of big games unlike LeBron. Jordon did not have a deep bench of superstar players and he never abandoned his team, like LeBron. Jordon also won six championships. LeBron will never be like Jordon or acheive what Jordon acheived with what he had to work with.

[kiddub]

02:14 PM on 05/31/2011

Jordan had Pippen and a good deep bench, better than Cleveland's, in his championship years. People forget that Jordan scratched for his playoff wins, just like LeBron has, before he was able to achieve greatness in the playoffs. LeBron's playoff record is actually more accomplished at this point in his career than Jordan's was. Jordan competed against the Thomas Piston teams and couldn't make it past them, like LeBron with the Celtics. LeBron has slayed his dragon, while it was still alive and kicking, earlier than Jordan could master his. You may say that James has help, and that is fair. But Jordan was crying for help long before he had two future hall of famers, solid shooters to knock down shots and one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game. People, like the poster above you, that Jordan and Kobe had the greatest coach of all time backing them up and making their teamates exceptional.

[Minnehaha]

12:30 PM on 05/30/2011

Greatest player ever would not whine about needing help on the court! Greatest player ever would not just stop playing in a play off game, so he could bolt down to Criami to play with his pals! Greatest player ever would have had the strength of character to leave home with dignity and grace. Great player, just not a very good nor decent person!

[TheN8tureBoy]

11:21 AM on 05/30/2011

Kareem is the greatest of all time. Six time champion, six time MVP (most all time) NINETEEN time All-Star, TEN time NBA All-First Team, three consecutive NCAA titles, and the NBA's all-time leader in points scored, games played, minutes played, field goals made, field goal attempts, blocked shots, defensive rebounds, and personal fouls.

I don't like his personality but Kareem is the GOAT.

[TheN8tureBoy]

11:17 AM on 05/30/2011

Sour grapes.

[bmwracer]

03:17 AM on 05/30/2011

Scottie must miss seeing his name in the papers and on the 'net.

[mivogo]

01:23 AM on 05/30/2011

The Green Monster rears its ugly head.
And I'm not talking about Fenway Park.

www.newyorkgritty.net

[factsaboutchina]

12:29 AM on 05/30/2011

Lebron has absolutely zero titles. He has absolutely zero scoring titles. He leads not in assists

[CANTHATBE]

07:27 AM on 05/30/2011

Maybe he needs Scottie Pippen. MJ had zero before Scottie. The Bullls were still one of the best teams when MJ went to play baseball.

[TheN8tureBoy]

11:17 AM on 05/30/2011

Did the Bulls win titles without Jordan?

[CaptainSunshine]

09:37 AM on 05/31/2011

MJ made Scottie into a better player. MJ made a bunch of guys better. Scottie was just another player before he played with MJ. Look at Grant and the others.

That's why MJ is the greatest of all-time.

[jackjon]

11:09 PM on 05/29/2011

Pippen must be smoking something, or his jealousy is showing big time. He was relegated to second banana while playing with Jordan, just hasn't gotten over it I guess. I wouldn't even mention James and Jordan in the same breath.

[OnTopicOffTopic]

07:20 AM on 05/30/2011

What he said was accurate

[TheN8tureBoy]

11:18 AM on 05/30/2011

How many titles has James won?

[Paul The Octopus]

09:06 PM on 05/29/2011

Stop this madness! I AM the greatest who never played the game!