“I would never be able to find a tandem, another support system, another partner in the game of basketball like Scottie Pippen.” Michael Jordan said in Episode 2 of The Last Dance. Despite this praise, the relationship apparently turned sour due to this Netflix docuseries. Since then, Pip has used various terms to address MJ. Previously, it was a “horrible teammate,” later it changed to a favorite and best teammate. So, what is their current status?

Answering the burning question, the Bulls legend spoke with Marca. Naturally, his relationship with His Airness was discussed. “What was your relationship with Michael Jordan like?” Keeping the answer short and straight, Scottie Pippen said, “It was never a very close relationship. But when we played, we had great chemistry. That’s the way this business is.” Wow, the duo had a record of 514-177; that’s a 74.4% win record. Yet, the 60-year-old revealed that it was professional.

In fact, this status of the relationship is similar to Pip’s former coach as well. “Same with Phil Jackson. We’re not close friends anymore. That’s life, things change.” Probing further, there was another question for the 7x All-Star to answer. “Was it about separating the professional from the personal?” Another statement that no one would be ready for. “Yes, quite a bit. I can count on one hand the friends I played with and still talk to.”

It seems that Scottie Pippen intentionally distanced himself from Michael Jordan. For now, he has no regrets about how life and that relationship turned out. At the beginning of the year, the Bulls legend detailed a similar story of his relationship with MJ. “Great teammate, but uh just we just never were a great friend.” The six-time NBA champion made an appearance on the PBD Podcast and made more shocking revelations. Think of the number of times Jordan and Pippen would have gone golfing or had dinner just the two?

The answer to both those questions is ZERO! Their friendship beyond the hardwood, not aligning, allegedly comes from a betrayal. It was an ESPN analyst who revealed it to the world.

Not standing beside Michael Jordan when he needed him the most led to all the problems

When Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen played together, they were joined at the hip. So what broke the camel’s back? And it was Pippen admitting that he intentionally didn’t offer his condolences to Jordan after his father’s death. He has also expressed his regret for his actions. Since Scottie lost his father three years before MJ’s incident. Usually, we don’t get a reaction from His Airness very easily. But Stephen A. Smith, a close confidante, revealed that Jordan felt “betrayed” by Pippen’s action.

“How he (Pippen) didn’t give his condolences on purpose, Michael Jordan’s words were ‘I hope it’s worth it for him I have nothing and he literally said I have nothing else to say’ and I know Michael Jordan well enough to know what that means.” Smith said during his appearance in the March episode of the PBD Podcast. James Jordan Sr.’s death was one of the most heartbreaking and life-changing moments for Jordan.

MJ’s father was shot and murdered in July 1993 in North Carolina. Michael Jordan retired from the NBA in October of the same year to deal with the pain and followed his father’s previous advice of excelling in baseball. These all revelations were after the Last Dance series. That’s why the relationship is apparently at a point of no return, if we believe Smith’s words.