Scottie Pippen Challenges the GOAT Debate: Emphasizing Teamwork Over Individual Greatness
Scottie Pippen, the six-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, has never been one to shy away from making bold statements about the game of basketball. His most recent comments on the widely debated topic of the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) challenge long-held beliefs surrounding legendary figures like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Pippen, whose career was defined by teamwork and playing alongside some of the game’s greatest, believes that the concept of a singular GOAT is not applicable in team sports like basketball.
In an appearance on the “PBD Podcast,” Pippen offered a unique perspective on the GOAT debate. He firmly declared, “I don’t think it exists in team sports.” This stance immediately ruffled feathers in a world where basketball fans often argue passionately about whether Michael Jordan or LeBron James should hold the title of the greatest player ever. But for Pippen, the very notion of comparing players based on individual accomplishments in a team-oriented game is flawed. “When you ask who’s better, LeBron or Michael, you can’t ask me who’s the GOAT between LeBron and Michael. Neither one of them are GOATs; they both won differently, you can’t put them at the pinnacle,” he explained, challenging the popular narrative that has dominated NBA discourse for decades.
For Pippen, greatness in basketball is not about personal statistics or highlight-reel moments. Instead, it is rooted in the ability to contribute to a team’s success, to work within a system, and to elevate those around you. Basketball, at its core, is a team sport, and one player—no matter how exceptional—cannot single-handedly define or carry a team to greatness. “And there’s no comparison to [LeBron],” Pippen continued. “None. So does that make him the greatest player to ever play the game? I’ll leave that up for debate because I don’t believe there’s a great player because our game’s a team game, and one player can’t do it.”
This viewpoint from Pippen isn’t new, as he has often voiced similar opinions throughout his career. While the rest of the world has engaged in endless debates over who is the true GOAT, Pippen has consistently reminded everyone that basketball’s foundation lies in collaboration. The idea that any single player could transcend the collective effort required for success in basketball simply doesn’t sit right with him. It’s a perspective shaped by Pippen’s own career, where he was an integral part of the Chicago Bulls dynasty alongside Michael Jordan. While Jordan’s individual greatness is undisputed, Pippen understands that the Bulls’ success was the result of more than just one player’s talent—it was about the collective strength of the team.
In fact, Pippen has long been an advocate for shifting the focus away from the individual accolades of players and instead shining a light on the teams that achieve greatness. He has consistently argued that the essence of the game is in the chemistry, the teamwork, and the shared pursuit of a championship. “Our game’s a team game,” Pippen reiterated. “And one player can’t do it.” This perspective places him at odds with the mainstream narrative that elevates individual achievements over team success, but for Pippen, the collective is always greater than the sum of its parts.
Interestingly, Pippen’s views on the GOAT debate have evolved over the years. In previous statements, he has hinted at players beyond Michael Jordan and LeBron James deserving the title of the GOAT. One notable example came in 2023 when Pippen appeared on the “Gimme The Hot Sauce” podcast and suggested that Julius Erving, better known as Dr. J, might have a stronger case than anyone else. Pippen explained that Dr. J’s influence on the game was unmatched, a statement he further elaborated on in his memoir “Unguarded.” In the book, Pippen declared, “There has been no one in the sport like ‘Dr. J’ ever since. Sorry, MJ. Sorry, Magic. Sorry, LeBron.” This admiration for Dr. J is rooted in his belief that the Hall of Famer’s impact on the game was more profound than anyone else’s, particularly in terms of the way he revolutionized the sport with his athleticism and style of play.
Despite his admiration for Dr. J, Pippen’s central argument remains that the title of GOAT is ill-fitting for any one player. He believes that basketball is a team-oriented game and that greatness cannot be measured simply by the success of one individual. While Jordan and LeBron will always be mentioned in discussions about the greatest players in NBA history, Pippen’s view challenges the notion that there is an ultimate GOAT. Instead, he believes the debate should be less about individual supremacy and more about how a player contributes to a team’s overall success.
Another name that Pippen has mentioned in his discussions about the GOAT debate is Magic Johnson, whose impact on the game he feels was profound. Pippen pointed out that Johnson’s leadership and ability to elevate his teammates placed him closer to the title of GOAT than anyone else. “Magic Johnson is closer to the Greatest of All Time than any other player,” Pippen asserted. He pointed to Johnson’s rookie year, when he stepped in as the starting center for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was injured. Johnson’s versatility, leadership, and ability to adapt to any situation made him one of the most valuable players in NBA history, and Pippen believes his legacy should be viewed through the lens of his leadership and team success rather than just individual accolades.
For Pippen, the emphasis on teamwork and leadership is key. It’s what has defined some of the greatest players in the history of the game, whether it’s Michael Jordan leading the Bulls to six championships, Magic Johnson orchestrating the Showtime Lakers, or LeBron James carrying teams to multiple titles. But Pippen remains steadfast in his belief that no single player can carry the title of GOAT because of the team nature of the sport.
As basketball fans continue to debate the GOAT question, Scottie Pippen’s perspective serves as a reminder of the importance of teamwork in basketball. While the individual feats of players like Michael Jordan and LeBron James are undoubtedly impressive, Pippen’s stance encourages us to reconsider how we measure greatness in a sport that requires so much more than individual performance. In the end, Pippen’s view serves as a challenge to conventional thinking about the GOAT debate. Instead of searching for the one player who stands alone at the pinnacle, maybe we should appreciate the players who understand that true greatness lies in elevating their teams and achieving success together.
As the NBA continues to celebrate its legends, Scottie Pippen’s voice serves as a crucial reminder that greatness in basketball, and in any team sport, is about more than just the numbers. It’s about the relationships, the teamwork, and the championships won as a collective unit. And in that sense, Pippen may be onto something: the true GOAT may not be a player at all, but a team working together toward a common goal.
