Earlier this season I called the Nets the ugliest team in the NBA. The aesthetics of the players, not the game mind you. But that crown could be passing very quickly if a report in today's Chicago Tribune is to be believed.
It's not quite the impact of Michael Jordan's famous two-word return to basketball in 1995, but Scottie Pippen is seriously considering a comeback and hopes to play for a contending team in this season's playoffs.
Pippen, who turned 41 on Sept. 25, says he's in better condition and health than at any time in the last five years. And in the Eastern Conference, his veteran presence could change the balance of power and be a major influence in the playoffs. Or he might be the long-sought backup to relieve the pressure on the Suns' Steve Nash. The possibilities are intriguing.
Pippen is taking part in the All-Star Saturday Shooting Stars competition, the abysmal competition that's introduced NBA fans to the WNBA. He's teaming with Ben Gordon and some lass from the Luvabulls or whatever they call the Chicago women's franchise.
Sam Smith, who hates me with the heat of a thousand suns, posits that the Cavs and Heat could use a player of Pippen's skills but he doesn't really take into account that those skills might not be what they used to be. That leaves it to this lowly blogger to say that when last seen Pippen wasn't the same player he was during the Bulls glory years. And that was in 2004. Would he help more than your average 12th man? Probably but only until he refused to go into a game when they design a play for someone else or until he has a migrane in Game Seven.
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