Scottie Pippen Seeks return To NBA

Searching ESPN.com and SI.com this morning, I found a bit that reports former NBA All-Star Scottie Pippen would like to return to the NBA this year and play for a contender. The 41-year-old Pippen, a veteran of 6 NBA Champions while with the Chicago Bulls, has not played since 2004. Six teams that should have interest in Pippen are the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Phoenix Suns. Why the Bulls? He is the second greatest player in franchise history and on such a young contender, he would be a guiding force as they try to win the less-than-fabulous Eastern Conference. Why the Lakers? Pippen knows Phil Jackson's system better than anyone and would be a great role player and role model for Kobe Bryant. Why the Heat? Miami has had a rough go in the first half due to injuries and as they gear up for a run at defending their NBA Championship, the presence of Pippen as a distributor for Dwayne Wade and Shaq would take pressure off point guards Jason Williams and Gary Payton. Why the Mavericks? Dallas was so close last year and Pippen could put them over the top. With Josh Howard emerging as a legitimate two-way superstar, Pippen can teach him a few of the tricks that made him one of the great two-way players of his generation. Why the Cavaliers? LeBron has been given the title of the "Next Jordan" and while he is yet to prove that, he could learn more than a few things playing along side Pippen. Why the Suns? At his age, Pippen doesn't seem to be a great fir for the run-and-gun Suns but come playoff time, when half court offense and defense becomes more critical, Pippen's know-how could be a deciding factor. Wherever Pippen lands, and I hope he does get a chance somewhere, it will be agreat thing for basketball fans. Pippen was always a pleasure, especially on defense, and his intelligence and basketball savvy will be more than enough to compensate for his lost athleticism.