MR. PIP 33 Best Sidekick ever rumored to get well deserved Monument at United Center

What is a sidekick? A sidekick is a close friend or companion who assists a partner in a superior position(Thanks Google). Like Lone Ranger's Tonto, Sherlock Holmes' Doctor Watson, Spongebob's Patrick, Batman's Robin, or on the best NBA team in the last twenty years His Airness' SCOTTIE PIPPEN. That's right put him in there with Robin and Patrick, this man invented how a small forward played in the NBA while being BENSON to arguably the best player ever. That in itself is hard to do for any man as talented as Scottie to put some of his skills aside so another man can operate, and then you go into your bag of tricks and do whatever else the team needs. Hats off to you Mr. Scottie Pippen.

Growing up in Illinois I, the BLUEDUDE, was a huge Michael Jordan Fan and conversely a bulls fan because of #23. But when then GM Jerry "Crumbs" Krause selected Virginia Forward Olden Polynice and traded him on draft day for some unknown NAIA All-American 6-7 Scottie Pippen from Central Arkansas I was shocked like everyone else. Put him with Clemson All-ACC forward Horace Grant(twin brother Harvey played at Independence Community College in Kansas, and finished up at Oklahoma University with future NBAers Mookie Blaylock and Stacy King). That draft was the foundation for the Bulls 6 Championships in the 90's and who would've thunk it I sure didn't. Also hats off to Head of basketball operations for the Bulls in 1984 Rod Thorn for getting AIR JORDAN( Mr. Thorn recently took over the helm in Philadelphia this year after a great run in the NBA League Offices and the NJ Nets). Last but not least the guy who orchestrated the 1987 draft "CRUMBS" KRAUSE, not the most popular guy amongst Bulls Players and coaches, but a good basketball mind. I mean who has a Title of General Manager and isn't full of themselves some if not all the time you can't blame Krause for some of his motives and tactics, the Bulls got 6 under his regime.

Scottie Pippen revolutionized the Small forward postion in Head Coach Phil Jackson's Triangle Offense, which is quite complicated and takes about a year to 2 years for one to get comfortable in it with all of its nuances. One thing the triangle doesn't need is a pure point guard thats where scottie created the position of "POINT FORWARD". The offense typically ran through Scottie with MJ taking over if anything broke down. Scottie was always in the right place at the right time and looked super comfortable leading the Bulls in many categories so Mike could be Mike on most nights. Those Bulls players know Mike needed Scottie and Scottie needed Mike and it was a beautiful thing on the WestSide of Chi City.

A long and very quick forward, Scottie had hands like shovels that could stifle any player from the point to the power forward(1-4 in basketball terms). MR. PIP 33 could guard and did guard anyone in his path. With him, MJ, Ron Harper, The Worm, and the team defensive concept of one Coach Johnny Bach( who used to say"when I let my dobermans out it was over"), the Bulls used their length and speed to turn you over on the defensive end to lead to easy transition buckets on the offensive end. It was a joy to watch Scottie on most nights to anchor that "D" and it was 24 hour Lockdown, Shoe Program, (sorry Alonso Harris in Training Day), the Defense was that tight every night.

And to the best Small forward on both ends of the floor I have ever saw, CONGRATS TO MR. PIP 33, his Hall Of Fame Induction, and his soon to be Monument at the United Center. WHO SAYS YOU CAN BE SOMEONE FROM SMALL MIDDLE AMERICA AND MAKE AN IMPACT ON MANY LEVELS. SHOOT FOR THE MOON AND IF YOU MISS YOU WILL BE AMONG THE STARS LIKE #33 in red and black.