Amid ongoing debates in the NBA, Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen sparked another conversation, weighing in on which player could dominate in any basketball era.

© Kelly Defina/Getty Images for NBLScottie Pippen speaks to media during the 2024 NBL Finals Launch at John Cain Arena on February 20, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.

One of the players with the most insight into Michael Jordan‘s success with the Chicago Bulls is fellow team legend Scottie Pippen. The two shared the court during the Bulls’ most dominant stretch in the 1990s, and years after those championship runs, Pippen weighed in on a player he believes could dominate any NBA era.

As the GOAT debate continues to evolve, Pippen, now with a new connection to the NBA through his son, Scotty Pippen Jr., who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, shared his thoughts on the player he considers capable of thriving in any era.

In an interview with the PBD Podcast earlier this year, Pippen made a strong case for Jordan, offering comparisons to other legendary players in the ongoing debate. “If Wemby goes to our era and Michael comes to his era, MJ would probably dominate. The same with LeBron and Kobe,” Pippen said.

When asked about Jordan’s potential to dominate in the 1970s, Pippen didn’t hesitate to respond. “I didn’t play in the ‘70s, but I have to imagine the game was even a little bit more physical than it was in the ‘80s. I think MJ would dominate that era too, but the game has changed. We have to take that into account,” Pippen remarked.

Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen.

Pippen’s thoughts on Jordan’s success in the 1970s

While Pippen believes Jordan would have dominated in the 1970s, he expressed uncertainty about whether Jordan would have achieved the same level of success during that era. Pippen noted that the game’s rules were vastly different from those of the 1980s and 1990s, which could have impacted Jordan’s performance. Despite this, he remained confident in Jordan’s ability to dominate in any era.

“When you asked me how successful he would have been in the 1970s, I don’t know if that would have happened because of all the changes Jordan faced when he played in our era,” Pippen said.

Pippen reflects on the evolution of the NBA

As the game has evolved, so as have the challenges and styles of play in each era. Pippen acknowledged the stark differences between each decade, noting how the 1970s focused on physical conditioning, the 1980s brought a more forceful style of play, and the 1990s were defined by intense competitiveness. By the 2000s, rule changes began to take shape, primarily aimed at protecting players and ensuring the health of franchises.

Commenting on the league’s evolution, Bulls legend had this to say: “I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, and some of them are probably a turnoff. For example, players can now take three steps when driving to the basket. In my mind, when I see that, I think, ‘Isn’t that traveling?’ But it’s not,” Pippen said.

Pippen also reflected on how Jordan stood out in the midst of all these changes. “Michael was different. He was competitive 24/7. Not too many people are built like that. He was always willing to compete, at any level, in anything,” Pippen added.