Can Jimmy Be = or > Than Pippen?

[MadGrinch]

the question being asked is if butler's game can improve to pippen's level.

the answer is no and even if it could he'll never get the chance to showcase it fully .

from a physical tool standpoint pippen is much better a bigger better frame , longer limbs, and a more explosive athlete , and these advantages basically make it impossible for butler to equal him.

from a skills aspect on defense jimmy is as good as anyone can hope he can be ...but he's no pippen , who had the quickness and physical dimensions to defend 1-4 at stopper level on the court.

on offense butler still improving as an iso player and pick and roll guy, but scottie had those skills at a higher level in his prime and was essentially the pg on offense

as shooters they were comparable ,pippen was better off the dribble , going to the hoop and a better post up player mostly because he was better combination of quickness and size moreso than touch

add to that pippen was a better rebounder on both offense and defense

[kulaz3000]

It's not even close in my opinion - in terms of talent and production he is more on the level of Horace Grant and in an ideal world he is just that a third wheel on a championship level team.

The younger fans may not remember but Pippen was a rare breed of player, there is a reason why has been voted as a top 50 players of ALL TIME and that includes all players of different generations.

Not only was he better physical specimen whether in regards to length, athletic ability, explosiveness, hand size and quickness. He was a much better all round player, they are comparable offensively, but Pippen was also an all-time great defensive player, a much better playmaker and aspect in which Pippen doesn't get nearly enough credit for. You could play Pippen at the point guard position full time if needed because he had the handles, the knowledge and passing ability to be a playmaker and in addition running the offense.

Lastly Pippen was known as being a great leader, and that was even with Jordan on the team. He was the player that teammates went to for guidance and he was the one that would be the conduit between the coaches as well as between teammates and Jordan. And his leadership wasn't only shown with the Bulls but with the Blazers where he was well respected and lead a young team with immaturity issues to the WCF which they should have actually won against the Lakers.

Pippen was an All-time great, and Jimmy not getting to that level isn't a knock on him, but more so the reality that Pippen was just that great of a basketball player.

[RebuildaBulls]

Not even close, may never be as good as Pippen.
Pippen was a god, he made his presence felt in games. There were even Bulls fans who argued he was better or more important than MJ.

Butler is probably in the tier under Pippen

[sco]

Jimmy's probably peaked...

[Mister247]

I think talent wise, he's actually very close to Pippen but the biggest gap to bridge is understanding the game. Pippen was one of the smartest players to ever play. Butler's not there yet.

Eh. Pippen was a physical freak too though. Jimmy is a high caliber NBA athlete, don't get me wrong. But he's a step down from Pippen athletically.

To answer the OP, no. I am a Butler fan, but he is not a historically elite NBA talent. Pippen was.

Pippen's shot, passing, and athleticism and a level higher than Butler's.

Butler's Defense however is on par.

He's got that Drive to be better than currently is and ends up improving the following year. I like how he never feels satisfied with his current game.

Could he reach Pippen???

I don't know about that one but he can perhaps come close in time.

[Flopper]

Jimmy's probably peaked...

I think so too. I see him regressing back to super role-player status based on his new role on the team and from how he played over the summer and in the preseason. Still extremely valuable as an all-around player, but definitely a notch below the elite wings in the league.

[sco]

Jimmy's probably peaked...

I think so too. I see him regressing back to super role-player status based on his new role on the team and from how he played over the summer and in the preseason. Still extremely valuable as an all-around player, but definitely a notch below the elite wings in the league.

That said, I do think he can become more efficient and "valuable" going iso less and building on his 3pt shooting.