Scottie’s On The Beam Jordan, Jackson Compliment Pippen For Sizzling Start Of Chicago Bulls

Michael Jordan went into this season determined to show that he’s still the best basketball player in the world. As it turns out, he may not even be the best in Chicago.

“It’s Scottie Pippen’s team,” Jordan says. “He’s made unbelievable strides. There used to be inconsistency to his game that people criticized. But now, he’s alleviated the inconsistency. He’s got to be one of the best players in the game, if not the best.

“He’s learned how to challenge himself every night. When one phase of his game is not clicking, he’s contributed in other areas. That’s a sign of greatness.”

Lately, all phases of Pippen’s game have been clicking for the Bulls, who have won nine consecutive games and have the NBA’s best record 19-2.

Pippen had 33 points, 13 rebounds and six assists Saturday, when the Bulls improved to 10-0 at home with a 108-88 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Two nights earlier, his 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists led Chicago to an easy victory at Atlanta. Wednesday, Pippen had 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists in a win over Orlando.

Pippen is playing better now than he did when he was clearly Jordan’s underling in the championship years of 1991, 1992 and 1993. And he’s probably playing even playing better than he did as the Bulls’ only superstar during Jordan’s 17-month retirement.

Though Jordan’s scoring average is 29.7 points compared to Pippen’s 21.1, Pippen’s all-around excellence has earned him the title of team catalyst in coach Phil Jackson’s eyes.

It is the 6-foot-7 Pippen who usually brings the ball up the court and distributes it. It is Pippen who usually defends the opponent’s best non-center. And it is Pippen who usually collects the rebounds Dennis Rodman misses.

All that, and Pippen still finds the time to be a big scorer.

Still, he’s uncomfortable about Jordan’s contention that the Bulls are his team.

“I don’t feel like that,” Pippen said. “Phil runs the offense through me, so I’m kind of the floor leader out there. But Michael is still our leader. I think he’s being very modest saying I’m the leader. We’re both leaders on the court in our own way.”

Pippen, scheduled to make his second Olympic Dream Team appearance next summer, is often “a dominant player,” Jackson said.

“Scottie’s got a nice feel for the game,” the coach said. “He waits until the opportunities arise or there’s an energy drop and he picks up the level of his game.”

Such was the case Saturday against Los Angeles. Jordan dislocated the finger on his shooting hand and took a seat on the bench next to Rodman, who has been bothered by calf injuries. Pippen scored nine of the Bulls’ next 11 points as Chicago took control of the game.

“When Michael hurt his finger, we knew there was going to be a change in our attack,” Jackson said. “So Scottie took it upon himself to be more aggressive offensively.”

Led by Pippen, Jordan and Rodman - “quite a triad,” Lakers coach Del Harris said - the Bulls have been THE story through the first quarter of the NBA season. On pace to post the league’s best record ever, they are averaging an incredible 10 points more than their opponents.

“I think it’s pretty easy, especially when we work hard,” Pippen said. “We’re just playing very well together. We’re a real good team with real good players. We should win our games.”