A small contingent of Clippers fans started a chant in the waning minutes of yet another Bulls loss Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
“We want Scottie! We want Scottie!”
Wearing a smile as large as his legacy, Scottie Pippen got up from his seat on the bench in his sweat suit to salute them with a wave and then a bow.
A similar scene occurred Saturday night in Portland as Pippen acknowledged the standing ovation he received during introductions from the fans he’d played for over the previous four seasons.
These moments are as close to a farewell tour as you will see for Pippen, who has dropped subtle hints about retirement and now is openly acknowledging this 17th NBA season will be his last.
“I’ve had a lot of cheers in this game,” Pippen said after practice Sunday. “I don’t need any more.”
General manager John Paxson signed Pippen to a guaranteed $10.3 million deal in July. Nothing is a guarantee when it comes to Pippen, who has a history of contradicting his words. But given his respect for Paxson, management might be able to negotiate a buyout for the second year.
That wouldn’t alleviate the entire contract from the salary cap, but it would free a roster spot for Paxson to use this summer as he begins to again rebuild this team. Pippen isn’t worrying about such details, choosing instead to enjoy the little moments of his swan song.
Others are joining him.
“His marvelous and infectious smile, the humor that he could bring to the floor and practices and travel, all of these made the team not only more confident but buoyant,” said assistant Johnny Bach, who has long been close to Pippen.
“When Michael [Jordan] retired the first time, the first thing Scottie did was walk over and say, `His locker is now my locker.’ That was a bold statement to the team.”
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Edited by Phillip Thompson ([email protected]) and Drew Sottardi ([email protected])