During an appearance on the latest episode of the Dan Patrick Show, Scottie Pippen supported his recent claims that Phil Jackson had made some “racial” moves during his time coaching the Chicago Bulls.
In an interview with GQ last week, Pippen also claimed that Jackson’s reason for giving Toni Kukoc, rather than himself, the last shot in a 1994 playoff game against the Knicks was purely motivated by race.
Patrick said, “By saying it was a racial move, then you’re calling Phil Jackson a racist…” to which Pippen replied, “I don’t have a problem with that.”
Patrick further questioned, “Do you think Phil was?”
Pippen responded with, “Oh, yeah.”
DP: “.. By saying it was a racial move then you’re calling Phil Jackson a racist…”
Pippen: “I don’t have a problem with that.”
DP: “Do you think Phil was?”
Pippen: “Oh yeah…”
Exchange with @ScottiePippen on Phil’s decision to have Kukoc take final shot against the Knicks pic.twitter.com/pH2aDLMDcQ
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) June 28, 2021
Back in 1994, Kukoc made a game-winning move with his buzzer-beating shot, which led to the deafest of the Knicks 104-102 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The play gained notoriety in the NBA after Pippen refused to take the court because Jackson called for Kukoc to take the shot instead of him during a pre-play timeout.
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Before his discussion with Patrick, Pippen spoke with Tyler R. Tynes of GQ about that night, stating that he thought Jackson’s call was out of line and a “racial move.”
“I don’t think it’s a mystery. You need to read between the fine lines,” Pippen explained. “It was my first year playing without Michael Jordan. Why wouldn’t I be taking that last shot? I been through all the ups and downs, the battles with the Pistons, and now you gonna insult me and tell me to take it out?”
