The United Center was the center of basketball perfection in the 1990s. Scottie Pippen, who was always one step ahead, was right there, reading the floor like a chessboard while Michael Jordan soared through the air like a superhero. They were a force to be reckoned with, not just teammates. MJ brought the killer instinct, Pippen brought the versatility, and together they carved out a dynasty: six championships, zero Finals losses, and not a single Game 7. That chemistry ruled on the court—what if it had extended off it?

Then came The Last Dance in 2020—a documentary that pulled fans deep into the Bulls’ dynasty but also stirred up some old tension. Although Jordan’s aggressive attitude and the behind-the-scenes access fascinated viewers, Scottie Pippen wasn’t exactly applauding from the sidelines. He criticized in his memoir, Unguarded, that the show was elevating Jordan and downplaying the accomplishments of everyone else, including himself. The doc may have reignited nostalgia, but for Pippen, it reopened a wound. And now? One of their former Bulls teammates is stepping into the conversation.

Bill Cartwright isn’t here for the drama. The former Bulls big man, who won three championships alongside Jordan and Pippen from 1991 to 1993, has nothing but love for his old teammates—but when TMZ asked him if he could step in and help squash the tension between the two, Cartwright didn’t flinch. “Nah, those guys are old guys now,” he said, brushing it off with a smile. “It’s like all that happened in the ’90s. Shouldn’t we be past that by now? Yeah, so it’s kinda … nonsense.” You could hear the mix of disbelief and amusement in his voice, like he couldn’t believe this feud was still a headline.

And while he believes peace is possible, Cartwright isn’t losing any sleep over it. To him, the bond is already sealed in banners and rings. “I love Pip, and MJ was a great teammate,” he said. “I had great teammates my whole time there.” He’s not trying to rewrite history or hold grudges. “I just know that we won championships. I don’t have anything to beef about.” That’s a man who’s seen it all—and walked away from it with perspective, not pettiness.

Now 67, Cartwright, who secured 12,713 points and 6,206 rebounds in his 16-year NBA career, as mentioned by TMZ, has channeled that steady mindset into his new book, Living Life at the Center. The book chronicles Cartwright’s journey from overcoming obstacles to becoming a three-time NBA champion as a player, and later securing two more championships as an NBA coach. He even tossed in a cheeky advice: maybe MJ and Pippen could give it a read. “I think they’ll be very happy, and we’ll just go from there.”

This major advice to MJ comes right on the heels of a big NBC announcement.

Michael Jordan returns to NBC as a special contributor for NBA coverage

Michael Jordan is about to make a major return to the spotlight, but this time, it’s with NBC Sports. The NBA on NBC and Peacock just announced that MJ will be joining their team as a special contributor for their basketball coverage. This is huge, considering how Jordan’s kept a relatively low media profile since retiring in 2003. But now, he’s ready to bring his legendary presence to a whole new generation of fans when the NBA on NBC relaunches this October. “A legendary addition to our team!” NBA on NBC and Peacock shared via Twitter/X on Monday morning, hyping up the news, as reported by Sporting News.

Jordan, who’s already one of the most decorated players in NBA history with six championships and five MVPs, shared his excitement about the partnership, “I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC. The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project.” He also teased fans by adding, “I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October,” as mentioned by Mem’s Journal. NBC’s president, Rick Cordella, made it clear that having Jordan on board is a big win for them, praising his legacy both on and off the court.

But Jordan’s not the only big name joining NBC’s revamped basketball coverage. Alongside him, Reggie Miller, Carmelo Anthony, and Jamal Crawford will take on analyst roles, and Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle will be handling play-by-play. With this all-star lineup, NBA fans are in for an incredible season, and Jordan’s return only adds to the hype. The NBA on NBC is back, and it’s bringing some serious firepower with it.

While Cartwright brushes off the tension, his life lessons in his new book, Living Life at the Center, and his steady, no-nonsense approach to team dynamics could offer a grounded contrast to the drama of the Bulls’ past—especially with MJ’s return to the media spotlight.