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Then I want MJ too
Scottie Pippen planning NBA comeback
By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer
February 16, 2007
AP - Feb 16, 8:06 pm EST
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LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Scottie Pippen is tired of retirement. He wants to return to the NBA for a chance to win his seventh championship ring.
With most of the league's stars and decision-makers gathering at the All-Star weekend festivities in Las Vegas, the 41-year-old Pippen announced he's hoping for a late-season return to a contending team -- preferably in a warm-weather city -- nearly 2 1/2 years after he left the league.
"I know that I have the skills," Pippen said. "I think it's sort of been on my mind the last couple of months. It's just about me going out and polishing my skills."
The forward hasn't played since his retirement on Oct. 5, 2004, following a 17-season career with Chicago, Houston and Portland. He won six les in his famed role as Michael Jordan's wingman with the Bulls, and was part of two gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic teams.
Pippen has been working out in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., during the winter, and he believes the time is right to add his experience and defensive prowess to a contending club, perhaps in Miami or San Antonio.
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"This is definitely a stage I can use to get the word out there," Pippen said. "I would only do this for a contender."
Pippen once was one of the NBA's most feared defenders, and his offensive skills were an ideal complement to Jordan's abilities. He had most of his best seasons at Jordan's side, while his scoring averages and general satisfaction with the game dropped considerably after Jordan's second retirement in 1998.
Pippen retired after returning to the Bulls to play just 23 games in the 2003-04 season. Chicago retired his No. 33 on Dec. 9, 2005.
Pippen said he would be open to offers from any team, but also said he would contact a few unnamed teams in hopes of getting the best destination.
The All-Stars gathered in Las Vegas mostly seemed warm to the idea of playing with Pippen -- or even alongside him.
"I know it's hard when guys leave the game," Washington's Gilbert Arenas said. "They're sitting there analyzing, and they're getting itchy. If he's ready, he's ready. Maybe I can get another autographed jersey from him.
Miami's Dwyane Wade also liked the idea of a comeback with the Heat.
"I'm already playing with (Gary) Payton and Shaq, two guys I used to play with on video games," Wade said. "To add Scottie Pippen to the mix, that would be crazy."
Then I want MJ too
Maybe we can get Tree Rollins out of retirement to help our big man rotation.
Please don't tell me you're making the argument that you don't want him because he's been arrested.
yeah we want this guy.
Sounds like more of a Miami type signing to me. I do think Pip could be useful in certain scenarios, in limited minutes, like throwing him on Nowitzki for short spells, but it just doesn't sound like a Spurs move. Not that he's going to be a stopper any more, but our bench sucks anyway, so he couldn't make it worse than it is.
Thing is, Miami loves loading up on big-headed also-rans.
Do NOT do it Pop!
Pip had health problems and was done before he hung up his kicks. He wouldn't be any better now.
There have been exceptional athletes whose physical abilities permitted them to play past the age where their skills would normallly have been too eroded to be useful.
But would a guy like Pippen take a ten day contract and then could the staff really evaluate him on a ten day contract?
Pip sucked pretty bad when he retired. Does he seriously think he's going to be better now?
He's looking to play fifteen minutes? That's all he'll play before he breaks his knees. If scottie is looking for a way to waste his time he should create his own porn website: Scottie Pimpin
There's an article on MYSA.com that I can't seem to access, but the "teaser" on Prosportsdaily.com said the Spurs had not ruled out signing Pippen. The Heat and Mavs have already said it seems like their rosters are set, though with D-Wade possibly out for the season Miami might re-think their position.
That's what some people were suggesting when Pip anounced he wanted to play again. If a team would suffer a injury, maybe he would have a chance.
But Riley firmly sayed he was not interested before the injury, so I don't know.
Dallas, maybe it would habe been to keep another west team to sign him.
SA... ?
it's really hard to discuss about it cos nobody (Me anyway) knows if he really still can play and what he could bring.
Here's the blip at the bottom of the Ludden article...
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...s.11dc1d5.html
I guess it's not too serious, but other than Miami, it seems the well is drying up for interested "contenders". Pip looked in-shape at the all-star game, though he didn't do much running. He probably still has the passing ability and court vision, but I wonder if his knee injury and old age will keep him from being an effective defender of 3s and 4s (small ball).The Spurs also haven't ruled out trying to sign 41-year-old forward Scottie Pippen, who announced last week he wanted to come out of retirement to join a championship contender. While team officials said only they will do their "due diligence" with Pippen, they likely won't seriously consider signing the former Chicago Bulls standout without first seeing him work out.
The Spurs also would have to waive a player to make room for Pippen or any other free agent they might want to add.
"If there is a way we think we can improve the team," Buford said, "we'll continue to explore it."
Also, as noted the Spurs would have to waive someone, so I doubt it happens, but you never know....
His last year with the Bulls was terrible, but that was when the Bulls were going for the youth movement. He played decent with Portland, and something like court vision and knowledge of the game doesn't erode with age.
My only concern is his quickness, I still remember him being torched by not completely developed Bryant when Pippen was playing with Houston, and now, 7 years later, I would imagine he would be even slower. But then again, that Houston team didn't have the defensive scheme the Spurs have now, and Pippen could be a great fit.
I say go for a ten-day contract, let him prove himself, and Pippen would be a great backup for the 1,2 and 3 positions.
I think it really must be for the money that he wants back cos I heard he would consider playing with the cavs, not a real contending team IMO.
So, I really don't know in what shape he actually is.
Let some other team take a chance on this reclamation project. What do we need him for? We already have Finley playing the role of past his prime veteran former all star that makes you cringe when he heaves up a shot.
Taking this break, it feels amazing. I'm looking at somewhere I could play maybe 15 minutes. I'm not trying to be a big-money guy or anything, [just trying to] get with a team I can help in the playoffs.
I watch and see so many young guys who don't know how to run a team and I feel I could help someone.I think the Spurs should reject his backhanded compliment."Pippen places Spurs near top of comeback list"
Signing Pippen Not Ruled Out
Wire Reports
Friday, February 23, 2007
Despite several calls to the team about both Beno Udrih and Jackie Butler, the Spurs decided to let the NBA's trading deadline pass by without making a move.
Still, there are reports that the team has not ruled out signing 41-year-old former All-Star Scottie Pippen.
Pippen announced late last week that he wants to come out of retirement and mentioned the Heat, Spurs, Lakers and Mavs among the teams he'd like to play for.
''I know that I have the skills,''Pippen said.
''I think it's sort of been on my mind the past couple of months.
''It's just about me going out and polishing my skills.''
Pippen hasn't played since his retirement on October 5, 2004, after a 17-season career with Chicago, Houston and Portland.
He won six les in his famed role as Michael Jordan's wingman with the Bulls and was part of two gold medal-winning US Olympic teams.
Pippen, who has been working out in Florida for a few months, said the time was right to add his experience and defensive prowess to a contending club.
Located closest to Florida his home, the Miami Heat have not taken any interest, but the Cavaliers, Nuggets, Lakers and the Spurs have all inquired about him.
Team officials told the Express-News that they will do their "due diligence" with Pippen, and that they likely won't seriously consider signing him without first seeing him work out.
Since they have a full roster, the Spurs would need to waive a player to make room for Pippen.
In San Antonio, fan reaction has been mixed. Some say the Spurs don't need to get any older. Others question his motivation to return from retirement as simple economics.
It has been reported that Pippen must pay a bank more than $5 million in a breach of contract lawsuit involving a loan for a business jet.
According to court do ents, Pippen was taking so many charter flights that a pilot convinced him in 2001 that he should buy his own plane.
Pippen and his wife, Larsa, formed a company called Air Pip and borrowed $4.375 million from JODA LLC, an aircraft finance company based in the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield.
U.S. Bank later bought the note and sued the Pippens and their company in 2004.
Pippen acknowledged signing the promissory note with a personal guarantee, however, it has never been made clear whether he ever got to use the Grumman Gulfstream II, a twin-engine corporate jet.
"The location and condition of the plane is dependent on who you talk to,'' Pippen's attorney Gary Sarachen said.
it, lets bring Bird, Bill Walton and Iceman back while we are at it.... if we are going to set the record for the all time oldest ing team in NBA history, lets do it right.
Pippen told the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday that he decided to go ahead with his comeback attempt and hopes to schedule private workouts with teams in the coming days. Pippen also said ``a half-dozen'' had called him.
Sources said the Cavs are one of the teams that have contacted Pippen and might consider working him out within the next week or so. Before making any decision, the team might wait and see if any other players shake loose by next week's deadline.
Pippen, 41, told the Beacon Journal last week that he was intrigued by the Cavs and saw an opening as a point guard, a role he believes that he can play. He said wants to play for a contender and preferred the Heat, who are near his Fort Lauderdale, Fla., home.
But cir stances might have changed due to Dwyane Wade's shoulder injury. In interviews with South Florida media, Heat coach Pat Riley also downplayed his team's interest. The Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, and Suns are teams that also might have interest in Pippen.
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/16771956.htm
people wanted to pass on webber and webber is playing decent
Webber isn't 41.
If the Spurs bring another player on, be it Pippen or another player who gets waived (Atkins, Magloire, Francis?), they'll have to waive someone as their roster is full. Most likely candidates are White and Vaughn...
Are any of the potentials worth getting rid of a player on the current roster?
Pop is far too stoopid/stubborn to limit Tonys minutes in meaningless reg season games, let alone blowout playoff games like last year ve Sacto.
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