RealGM

I have no idea what this is from, but it was interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGS7yp8M3b8

He's right. It works both ways. No Pippen, no rings. No MJ, no rings. Michael and Scottie needed each other to form a succesful shut-down on the perimeter on defense, and needed each other to spread the floor on offense. Both had the same abilities just in their own ways. Both could defend, shoot, rebound, pass, score and initiative the offense. Pippen were more versatile, whereas Jordan was just flat-out more dominating.

I think Jordan wins a title or 2 without Pip, provided he's given another legit all-star. But he doesn't have a dynasty or any 72 win seasons without the all-around play of Pip. MJ could handle the scoring load and all the crunch time moments. But he needed a Pip to do much of the dirty work that many elite scorers don't do. Defend like a beast, rebound, handle the ball, distribute, make perimeter shots, lead the break, finish on the break etc... Pip is a winner. He was clutch without having to score. He got game saving blocks, steals and charges in big time playoff games. Plus he was still a 20 ppg postseason scorer. And that's the type of sidekick MJ truly needed, not just someone who could score 25 a night. What other team has ever had 2 all-around talents like MJ and Pip?

I agree with P4P. MJ would probably not have gotten 6 rings, but 1 definite if not 2. Additionally, MJ was great at what he did, Pip was just good all around which was dispersed in other areas. They meshed well together.

Rodman>Pippen>Jordan

Yeah I don't think MJ would have ring less without Scottie, but I do think as others have said that he would have won slightly less titles.

I also wonder how many other 'star' players could have meshed with Jordan as well as Pip did. Jordan was very demanding as a player, and I think there may have been only a few who would not have clashed with him.
I have given no thought to who those others might have been, besides knowing that he and Barkly were good friends, but that seems like it might have been trouble at some point too.