Michael Jordan feels betrayed by NBA rival Scottie Pippen over his dad’s 1993 murder, reveals close pal Stephen A. Smith

Pippen and Jordan’s relationship has soured since their retirements from the NBA

STEPHEN A. Smith has revealed that Michael Jordan feels betrayed by his former Chicago Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen.

Pippen chose not to reach out to Jordan after his father was murdered in 1993, according to Stephen A.

Jordan and Pippen won six NBA titles togetherCredit: Getty

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Pippen never reached out to Jordan after his father was murderedCredit: Getty
Jordan was extremely close with his father, James Jordan, who was shot and killed in his car in South Carolina. The two teenagers who killed him are serving life sentences for first degree murder.

In Pippen’s 2021 book Unguarded, he referenced Jordan’s father’s murder, and hinted at the fact that he never said anything about it.

“I feel horrible every time I think about it. Michael’s father, James Jordan, had been murdered,” Pippen wrote.

“The two were inseparable. When I heard the news, I should have reached out to Michael right away.

“Having lost my own dad three years before, I might have been able to offer Michael some comfort. To this day, he and I haven’t spoken about his father’s death.”

In the book, Pippen took multiple shots at Jordan as their relationship has soured over the years, but Stephen A. believes the admission about Jordan’s father has killed any chances of them becoming friends again.

“When Scottie revealed in his book his feelings for Michael Jordan and how he didn’t even give his condolences in person to Michael Jordan, I was on the phone to him that day talking about something else,” Stephen A. said on the Valuetainment podcast.

“We had heard about what Scottie Pippen had said. Michael Jordan was under the impression it was busy, it was chaotic and that’s why he never thought anything of it.”

All Jordan said in response to Pippen’s claim was “I hope it’s worth it. I hope it’s worth it for him.”

“He literally said ‘I have nothing else to say.’ And I know Michael Jordan well enough to know what that means,” Stephen A. continued.

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The relationship between Jordan and Pippen recently hit an all-time low after Pippen’s ex-wife started dating Jordan’s son Marcus.

Marcus, 33, is 17 years younger than Larsa Pippen, 49, but the couple recently split from each other.

Pippen and Jordan also both chose to skip out on the Bulls ring of honor ceremony, perhaps to avoid seeing each other.

All signs point towards the Hall of Fame ex-friends never rekindling their relationship after dominating the NBA for years together.

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Stephen A. Smith thinks the duo will never be friends againCredit: Getty