Micheal Jordan Apologizes to Pippen for 'The Last Dance' Incident

ESPN's "The Last Dance" Episode 7 revisited the Bulls-Knicks 1994 playoff series, shedding light on Scottie Pippen's refusal to enter the game during the final play, despite Phil Jackson's instructions. Pippen, initially surprised by the coverage of his decision in the docuseries, later received an apology from Michael Jordan. Pippen's memoir "Unguarded" reveals a conversation between him and Jordan regarding the portrayal of the "1.8 seconds game" in "The Last Dance." According to Pippen, Jordan, who held editorial control over the docuseries, issued an apology to him.

Following Pippen's refusal to enter Game 3, Coach Jackson substituted Pete Myers. Despite Kukoc's eventual game-winning shot at the buzzer, tension ran high among the Bulls, with Pippen bearing the brunt of criticism. His emotional reaction, including tears in the locker room after being called out by Bill Cartwright in front of the team, underscored the severity of the situation. The day after Game 3, Jordan reached out to Jackson, recognizing the lasting impact of Pippen's actions. Pippen's stance was further compounded by his refusal, as depicted in "The Last Dance," to alter his decision if given the chance to relive the moment. Jordan's perspective on the matter was expressed prior to Pippen's statement.

In his memoir, Pippen didn't shy away from critiquing the leadership style of the six-time MVP. He expressed frustration at witnessing Jordan justify his actions of pushing teammates to their limits, finding it "cringeworthy" to see how Jordan treated those around him solely for the sake of extracting the best performance.


Furthermore, the 6'8" forward confidently asserted that he was a superior teammate compared to the five-time MVP. Pippen highlighted his consistent efforts in boosting team morale and fostering unwavering self-belief among his peers, signaling a stark contrast to the dynamic of one of the NBA's most celebrated partnerships.