Pippen Jr. Shakes Things Up at the United Center
Ah, the sweet smell of success! This morning, the United Center in Chicago bore witness to a historical moment. No, it doesn’t involve a Jordan, but rather Scotty Pippen Jr.—the son of Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, proving that making a name beyond your father’s legacy is no easy feat. While the Bulls have had a reputation for closing doors tighter than Vince McMahon at a “wrestle for charity” event, young Pippen Jr. has blasted through to NBA highlights faster than Lee Evans dodges a question about posture.
Scotty snapped up an impressive 30 points (13 of 16 from the field) and 10 assists, leading his Memphis team to triumph. And where did this happen? Oh, just in the very house where his father’s name is more prominent than that giant inflatable rat at a city protest. The Bulls dropped the game to the Grizzlies, finishing at 142-131, and you could feel the cheers of the Memphis fans boistering through the air, creating an atmosphere that felt like a rock concert—if rock concerts involved a lot more ball and a lot fewer mumble rappers.
Post-game, the media descended upon him like seagulls on a bag of chips. A journalist inquired if playing in the United Center, with his father’s number hanging in the rafters, was special for him. Pippen Jr. beamed with pride, “Yes, definitely! I see my father’s name up here,” pointing at the iconic #33 jersey. I can just imagine it— as if he’s thinking, “I’ve dreamt of this moment since I was in my father’s shoes— oh wait, those were Jordans!”
And let’s not forget the shadow of Zach LaVine, strutting his stuff with 29 points like that one holiday party uncle who seems to steal all the limelight. LaVine was great as well, but on this day, it was Pippen Jr.’s time to shine and twinkle amidst the basketball stars—all while channeling a bit of familial spirit!
Now, the road to NBA success isn’t paved with gold as many might think. Young Scotty took a different route than Bronny James, and at least for now, things are looking peachy. After being unceremoniously snubbed in the 2022 draft—much like that one sock you can never find after laundry—he ended up with the South Bay Lakers in the G League. There, he averaged more than 20 points at Vanderbilt but was about as consistent as a cat on a hot tin roof. Then came the G League magic where he put up solid numbers, but let’s be honest— wearing those purple and gold Lakers jerseys doesn’t guarantee a spot on the main stage.
But then, as luck would have it, the Grizzlies came calling due to a nasty wave of injuries sweeping through the team. With a useful two-way contract in tow, Pippen Jr. jumped on the opportunity like a deer caught in headlights during hunting season. In his first season, he put up 12.9 points and 4.7 assists in 21 appearances. It was kind of like when you find an old lottery ticket you forgot about—surprising and rather uplifting!
Fast forward to the present, and now he’s securing a multi-year contract with the Grizzlies for a cool $9.6 million over four seasons. Not bad for a lad who once had to smile through six games with those fickle Lakers, right?
After impressively averaging 12.6 points, 5.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals this season, it seems Pippen Jr. has woven himself into the fabric of the Grizzlies’ rotation like a well-placed thread on a bespoke suit. He truly was the man of the hour at the United Center, stepping into the legacy left by his Hall of Fame father, once dubbed Jordan’s right-hand man. And the burning question is: will his success serve as an inspiration to the next generation of NBA legacy kids? Who knows? All I know is that it’s not every day you can saunter into the same place as your father, bearing the last name Pippen, and hold court like you’ve been doing it for years.
So here’s to you, Scotty Pippen Jr. May your shimmies and skills continue to dazzle as brightly as the flames of family legacy. And may you become more than just ‘Mike’s mate’s son’—after all, we’ve seen enough of that already, haven’t we!
Pippen took center stage this morning at the iconic United Center in Chicago, but wait—it’s actually Scotty Pippen Jr. The young talent is not just living under the shadow of his father, Scottie Pippen, the legendary six-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer; he is forging his own path in the NBA. After joining the Memphis Grizzlies at the beginning of this year due to a series of injuries plaguing the team, he has quickly become one of their standout players, making headlines with his impressive performances in the world’s premier basketball league.
In a thrilling game, the Grizzlies player delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 30 points on an impressive 13-of-16 shooting from the field and dishing out 10 assists, propelling his team to a 142-131 victory against the Chicago Bulls in the very arena that displays his father’s retired jersey.
“You walk into this place. Your father’s number is up there. He helped build this. “Is it a special place for you?” a journalist inquired after the game. The atmosphere was electric as the Memphis team celebrated their hard-fought victory at the United Center.
The proud point guard replied, “Yes, definitely, this is a special place to play. You know, I see my father’s name up here,” as he pointed to the iconic ’33’ jersey that hangs in the rafters. “I have dreamed of this moment. It’s a dream come true to finally be able to play here, have family in the city and definitely get the victory.”
Pippen Jr., alongside teammate Santi Aldama, secured the highest single-game scoring total of his young career, outshining teammate Zach Lavine, who managed to score 29 points for the Bulls.
Scotty Jr. has taken a vastly different route compared to Bronny James in their respective basketball journeys, and thus far, this former South Bay Lakers player has seen greater success. Despite a solid college career at Vanderbilt University, where he averaged over 20 points per game, he went undrafted in 2022 before making an impact in the G League.
In his two seasons with the Los Angeles G League affiliate, he posted impressive averages of 22.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.9 steals in 29.5 minutes per game. However, he could not secure a long-term spot on the Lakers’ roster, playing only six games with the team.
Then, injuries to key players like Ja Morant and Marcus Smart presented Pippen Jr. with an unexpected opportunity through a two-way contract, allowing him to join the Memphis Hustle in the G League. He maximized this chance by averaging 12.9 points and 4.7 assists in 21 appearances for the Grizzlies during his inaugural season.
After an impressive preseason where he averaged 10.3 points and 4.5 assists in 20.5 minutes, the Grizzlies rewarded him with a lucrative multi-year deal worth 9.6 million dollars over the next four seasons.
Throughout the current season, he continues to impress, averaging 12.6 points, 5.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 26 minutes per game. Last night, at just 24 years old, he emerged as the standout player in the matchup at the United Center, a venue where his father once brought unbridled joy to fans. The son of Michael Jordan’s ultimate teammate has settled into a pivotal role within the Grizzlies’ rotation following his G-League experience, raising the question: will he become an inspiration for the son’s of NBA legends?
What emotions did Scotty Pippen Jr. express regarding playing at the United Center, where his father’s jersey is retired?
**Interview with Scotty Pippen Jr. Post-Game Celebration**
**Interviewer**: Scotty, thank you for joining me after such an electrifying game at the United Center! You just dropped 30 points and led your team to victory over the Bulls. How does it feel to perform like this in a place that holds so much significance for you and your family?
**Scotty Pippen Jr.**: Thank you! It feels incredible. Coming here, knowing my dad’s jersey is up there in the rafters—it’s a surreal moment. As a kid, I always dreamed of playing here, and to do it in front of family and fans means the world to me.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned your father’s jersey—how much does his legacy inspire you as you carve out your own path in the NBA?
**Scotty Pippen Jr.**: My dad has been a huge influence in my life, both on and off the court. Seeing his number reminds me of the hard work and dedication it takes to get here. I want to make my own mark, of course, but I carry his lessons with me every game.
**Interviewer**: You’ve taken a different route than other young stars in the league, like Bronny James. What has your journey taught you about perseverance?
**Scotty Pippen Jr.**: It’s been a winding road, for sure. Getting drafted didn’t happen for me, but that didn’t stop me. Playing in the G League helped me develop my skills, and getting the call from the Grizzlies was a game-changer. Every step has taught me to stay ready and focus on improvement.
**Interviewer**: You’ve had an impressive start with the Grizzlies. What’s been the key to your early success this season?
**Scotty Pippen Jr.**: I think it’s all about being confident and taking advantage of opportunities. My teammates have supported me, and I’ve tried to learn from every game. The more I play, the more comfortable I feel, especially in high-pressure situations like today.
**Interviewer**: now that you’ve secured a multi-year deal with Memphis, what’s next for you? What are your goals moving forward?
**Scotty Pippen Jr.**: The goal is to keep getting better every day. I want to be a reliable player for my team, contribute to winning, and hopefully help us make a deeper playoff run. Long term, I want to continue building on my family legacy while making a name for myself in this league.
**Interviewer**: Scotty, it’s been a pleasure talking with you. Congratulations again on the win and your outstanding performance!
**Scotty Pippen Jr.**: Thank you! I appreciate it. Looking forward to what’s next!