Scottie Pippen’s recent comments have ignited a firestorm in the basketball community, and not for the reasons he might have hoped.

During an interview, Pippen dismissed the ongoing Michael Jordan versus LeBron James GOAT debate, claiming neither deserved the title.

Instead, he crowned Magic Johnson as the greatest of all time, a choice that, while unconventional, wasn’t entirely shocking.

But then came the bombshell—Pippen suggested that he himself deserved to be in the discussion for the GOAT.

Yes, Scottie Pippen, the same player who spent his career as Michael Jordan’s right-hand man, implied he was on par with basketball’s most iconic figures.

Enter Stephen A. Smith, who took Pippen’s audacious claims as a personal affront to basketball truth.

Smith didn’t just disagree—he obliterated Pippen’s argument, dissecting his career with ruthless precision.

He reminded everyone that Pippen, despite his undeniable greatness as a defender and his crucial role in the Bulls’ dynasty, was never the best player on his own team.

Smith pointed out that when Jordan retired, Pippen had his chance to prove he could lead a team to a championship.

Instead, he faltered, failing to make it past the second round of the playoffs and famously refusing to re-enter a game when a play wasn’t drawn up for him.

These moments, Smith argued, disqualify Pippen from any serious GOAT conversation.

Smith also highlighted the glaring contradictions in Pippen’s arguments.

While Pippen praised LeBron James for his all-around game and claimed LeBron was asked to do more than Jordan ever was, he simultaneously dismissed both as GOAT contenders.

This mental gymnastics, as Smith called it, only further undermined Pippen’s credibility.

And while Pippen’s defensive prowess is undeniable—he was an eight-time All-Defensive First Team selection—Smith argued that his offensive limitations and reliance on Jordan to carry the scoring load kept him far from GOAT territory.

The debate also touched on Pippen’s post-Chicago career, particularly his stint with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Smith reminded viewers of the infamous 2000 Western Conference Finals, where Pippen’s team blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead to the Lakers in Game 7.

As the supposed veteran leader, Pippen failed to rally his team, further tarnishing his legacy as someone who could lead a team to glory.

These failures, combined with his earlier playoff controversies, paint a picture of a player who was great but not transcendent.

But perhaps the most poignant part of Smith’s takedown was his analysis of why Pippen feels the need to insert himself into the GOAT conversation in the first place.

Smith suggested that Pippen’s bitterness stems from feeling overshadowed by Jordan, particularly after the release of “The Last Dance” documentary.

The series, which primarily focused on Jordan’s perspective, left Pippen feeling underappreciated and reduced to a supporting role in the Bulls’ dynasty.

This perceived slight, Smith argued, has led Pippen to make increasingly outlandish claims in an attempt to rewrite history.

At its core, Smith’s argument wasn’t just about defending Jordan or LeBron—it was about preserving the integrity of basketball’s history.

He emphasized that greatness doesn’t need to announce itself.

Jordan didn’t need to proclaim himself the GOAT; his six championships, five MVPs, and countless iconic moments spoke for themselves.

Similarly, LeBron’s four titles, 10 Finals appearances, and ability to elevate mediocre teams have cemented his place in the conversation.

Pippen, on the other hand, was never the focal point of his team.

He was a phenomenal player, a Hall of Famer, and one of the greatest defenders ever—but he was never the guy who carried a team on his back.

In the end, Smith’s critique serves as a stark reminder that greatness is earned, not self-proclaimed.

Pippen’s legacy as a key figure in one of the greatest dynasties in sports should be enough.

But by attempting to elevate himself at the expense of others, Pippen risks tarnishing the very legacy he seeks to protect.

As Smith so aptly put it, the GOAT debate will rage on, but Scottie Pippen’s name simply doesn’t belong in that conversation.

And deep down, perhaps even Pippen knows it.