Chicago Bulls: 10 Ideas For Scottie Pippen's United Center Statue

The Chicago Bulls have plans to unveil a bronze Scottie Pippen statue that will be displayed in the United Center at some point during the 2010-2011 season. 

Omri and Julie Rotblatt-Amrany of Highland Park, Ill., who also crafted the Michael Jordan statue, which was unveiled in January of 1994, will handle the Pippen statue as well.

“Words really can’t express my feelings,” Pippen told Bulls.com. “It’s an unbelievable honor and truly amazing. It’s something you dream of as a kid growing up, but you can never foresee those childhood fantasies becoming reality. You see statues of individuals who have done great things and made their mark on history, but as a basketball player, you never really think about arriving at this point. It’s an amazing honor for the Chicago Bulls to do this for me.”

Pippen deserves this honor as being arguably the second best player to ever wear a Bulls uniform.

It's been a good year for Pippen, as his jersey was retired at the University of Central Arkansas, he was entered into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and he was hired to return as an ambassador for the Chicago Bulls.

What famous Scottie Pippen pose should be used, however? A question I suggest we tackle right now.

But before we get into it, I'd like to say I was tempted to use Dream Team pictures and a picture of Jordan and Pippen having their final championship cigars, but, although fantastic pictures, I had to cut them.

Although the Dream Team was a huge part of Pippen's career, clearly it represented more than the Chicago Bulls, so that won't be going outside the United Center.

As for the cigar picture, I was thinking about the children and how parents wouldn't enjoy their children seeing a statue of a Bulls legend lighting up a cigar.

For this article, however, kids can take a backseat because that picture is too awesome to leave out, so it's going as the main photo of this piece.

The Phantom Foul on Hubert Davis

I doubt this picture would be used, although it shows the stifling defense Scottie Pippen displayed.

For those of you who do not know the history, referee Hue Hollins called a foul on Pippen with huge ramifications.

With 2.1 seconds left in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks in a series in which the home team had won every game, the Bulls were looking to steal one from Madison Square Garden as they were up by one.

Hollins had other plans.

The Knicks tried to set up a screen-and-roll for John Starks, but the Bulls collapsed to his side, leaving him desperately tossing a pass to Hubert Davis, who had his right foot inside the 3-point arc.

Pippen ran out to get a hand in his face, but got there a split-second too late and hit his arm on the follow through, the ball bounced off the rim and it looked as though the Bulls were going to be up 3-2 in the series, heading back to Chicago, but a late whistle was blown.

Like an annoying bird chirping in the distance in the early morning, a whistle was blown.

The rule is a player is in the act of shooting from when they leave the ground to when they land on the ground, but most calls do not happen on the follow through in the final seconds of an Eastern Conference Semifinal game.

Davis would sink both free throws and the Knicks would take the game and the series in seven games. 

Not exactly statue material, but a historical Pippen pose nonetheless, especially based on the fact this foul may have cost Pippen a Jordan-less championship.

The Exchange With Olden Polynice

If not for this picture, who knows how Scottie Pippen's career would have ended up.

Pippen was selected fifth overall in the 1987 draft by the Seattle SuperSonics and was traded to the Chicago Bulls for Olden Polynice.

Once again, not sure Polynice would enjoy being part of a statue to show what a flop he was, but still important in Pippen history regardless.

The Flu Game

Now, this game will always be remembered for Michael Jordan's performance with a stomach virus in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, getting out of bed at 3 pm for a 6 pm game, scoring 38 points, 15 of which came in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer with 30 seconds left to put the Bulls up by three.

But this picture is an incredible picture. With the game locked up and after 44 minutes of playing, Jordan collapsed into Pippen's arms.

We may have to get artistic right here, so get out your beatnik chin beards and coffee in tiny cups ready.

This photo speaks to me. I see a reliance in one another rather than dependence on one or the other.

It sums up essentially Pippen's entire career. Jordan needed Pippen. Without him, who knows how history would have played out.

Yes, Pippen never won without Jordan. But do we have any evidence that Jordan would have won without Pippen?

Deep.

Jordan and Pippen Even Work Together Against Teammates

Okay, this clearly wouldn't be a statue, but this picture sums up the second three-peat for the Chicago Bulls more than anything else could.

Pippen and Jordan working together to keep Dennis Rodman in check.

Hilarious picture, but no words could sum up the 1996, 1997 and 1998 championships better.

The Defense

He has the most career steals (2,307) by a forward, the most career steals (232) in a season (1994-95) by a forward and the highest steals per game average (2.94) by a forward in that same season. He made 10 All-Defensive teams in the NBA.

Pippen brought a new form to the forward position; one that can play defense, shoot, pass and post-up.

He was some other kind of forward.

Any statue of him making a steal would be perfect standing somewhere around the United Center to represent Scottie Pippen.

A Spectacular Move By...Scottie Pippen?

Yes, Pippen could do amazing things on offense too.

With four seasons averaging more than 20 points per game, he had to.

A statue of him scoring wouldn't be out of the question either.

Sidekicks Can Dunk

Yes, Pippen had hops too.

This pose is way too Jordan-esque for a Pippen statue because kids would certainly get confused.

Parents would not want to answer, "Daddy, is that Michael Jordan?", especially if those are the kids of Scottie Pippen.

Although, if you extenuate the mini-flat top, I think people would know. 

Knicks Rivalry

Anything with Pippen pushing John Starks would be welcomed by all.

Pippen was in every single immensely intense game during the height of the Bulls-Knicks rivalry. Something Jordan certainly couldn't say.

Although, no Bulls fan is going to want any form of John Starks anywhere near the United Center, no matter what the pose is.

Did I Mention Defense?

Another picture that wraps up Pippen's career.

Guarding smaller guards, who most forwards were not quick enough to guard. If Pippen were too slow to defend someone, he would use his long arms and frame to stop them.

He's something the forward position will never see again.

The Dunk

Not much needs to be said.

Game 6. 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Over Ewing. In Spike Lee's face.

Look at how shocked John Starks is.

Doesn't get much sweeter for Bulls fans.

Apparently it doesn't for Pippen either, as he ranks this as his best dunk of all time.

Just watch.