The 1996 NBA season was a historic year for Scottie Pippen and the Chicago Bulls. Pippen played as a small forward and power forward, pairing up with Michael Jordan for an incredible year that culminated in the team winning the NBA championship.
Pippen appeared in 77 regular season games, averaging 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from beyond the arc. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team at the end of the season.
During the playoffs, Pippen continued to elevate his game, averaging 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game during the Bulls’ championship run. He helped the team to a memorable series win against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, before taking down the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals.
In the NBA Finals against the Seattle SuperSonics, Pippen played a key role in the Bulls’ victory, averaging 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. His strong performance helped lead the Bulls to their fourth championship title in six years, with Pippen being named Finals MVP for his extraordinary play throughout the series.
Off the court, Pippen continued to be admired as a strong leader and team player, with his unselfish contributions being instrumental to the Bulls’ success.
The 1996 NBA season represented one of the greatest years of Scottie Pippen’s career, as he played a critical role in helping the Chicago Bulls achieve yet another championship. His outstanding scoring, rebounding, and playmaking abilities earned him widespread recognition and cemented his legacy as one of the NBA’s all-time greats.