Six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen was born September 25, 1965.
Pippen is best known as the right-hand man to Michael Jordan during the Bulls' run of success in the 1990s, during which the Bulls won a total of six championships.
Pippen came into the league as the fifth overall draft pick in 1987, coming out of Central Arkansas. Pippen was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics but promptly traded to the Bulls for Olden Polynice and a package of draft picks.
The transaction proved critical for the Bulls, which found in Pippen the second piece needed to build a championship contender. With Jordan and Pippen in the fold, the Bulls were able to construct teams that won three consecutive championships on two separate occasions.
While Pippen often gets referred to as a sidekick -- the cost of spending his prime playing career alongside Michael Jordan -- Scottie was one of the best players of his generation. Playing without Jordan in 1993-94, Pippen proved he was a star in his own right, winning the All-Star Game MVP award that year and finishing third in MVP voting.
For his career, Pippen was a seven-time NBA All-Star, a three-time All-NBA First-Team selection, and an eight-time All-NBA Defensive First-Team selection.
He was a shoo-in selection for the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame.
On the NBA's 50th Anniversary, Pippen was named one of the 50 greatest players of all-time. His defensive prowess and ability to co-exist alongside Jordan -- often receiving less than his share of credit for the team's success -- are why Pippen is often regarded as a consummate teammate in addition to being a great NBA player.
After Chicago's championship run ended, Pippen enjoyed stints with the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers before playing a final season with the Bulls in 2003-04.
He is currently with the Bulls organization as a senior advisor to the team's president.
