What if Scottie Pippen’s son could have been the next Kobe Bryant? He certainly had the dream, the drive, and the skill. But there was just one problem. His own father wouldn’t let him follow in the Black Mamba’s footsteps. Why? Because Scottie Pippen saw something his son couldn’t: a genetic roadblock that would change his career forever. However, the Chicago Bulls legend wasn’t just being overly cautious, he had a solid reason for steering his son toward the point guard position.
Pippen Jr. revealed this himself during his recent appearance on Sloane Knows. “I was a Kobe fan… I used to always want to be a shooting guard, but my dad knew I was going to be short, so he was like, ‘Man, you need to play the point guard…’” That might have been a tough pill to swallow at the time, but we shouldn’t underestimate Scottie Pippen’s understanding of the game. As much as he wanted to play like his idol, his father saw a different future for him.
Let’s be real—height plays a huge role in basketball, and shorter players tend to have a speed and agility advantage. With a lower center of gravity, they can shift direction faster, making them harder to defend against. For a point guard, that’s a game-changer. Point guards don’t just score—they orchestrate the offense, dictate tempo, and break down defenses with pinpoint playmaking.
It’s no wonder the point guard is often called the engine of the team. Dribbling, court vision, and passing accuracy are all essential, and Pippen Jr. had the physical attributes to fit the mold. In fact, as Techpedia notes, the average height for point guards is about 6 ft 2, while Pippen Jr. stands at 6 ft 1—right in the sweet spot.
Nov 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) scores on a breakaway against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
While Pippen Jr. hasn’t made headlines yet, he continues to prove his worth on the court. He has found his role with the Memphis Grizzlies, providing crucial minutes off the bench as the backup point guard. Pippen Jr. believes his offensive skills surpass his father’s, raising the question—could he have thrived in a different role?
Pippen Jr. claimed he is better at offense than Scottie Pippen
Imagine stepping onto the court and calling out your own father for a one-on-one showdown. That’s exactly what Memphis Grizzlies backup point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. recently did. Best known for his defense, Pippen Jr. believes he has the offensive skills to take down his Hall of Famer dad in a hypothetical prime-time duel.
During Monday’s edition of the Sloane Knows podcast, Pippen Jr. was asked a fun question: If he could face any former NBA player in a one-on-one, who would it be? Without skipping a beat, he picked his father. He acknowledged Scottie’s height advantage (6-foot-8 vs. 6-foot-1) but made it clear that he’s got the speed and scoring edge.
“I feel like his height gives him an advantage. I’m a little quicker, though. I feel, offensively, I’m better than him,” Pippen Jr. said. “I think you gotta put that on (NBA) 2K and see what they do, I guess.”
It’s clear that Pippen Jr. doesn’t view his height as a disadvantage. His performance during Ja Morant’s absence due to injuries suggests the 24-year-old might have more potential than previously visible. All we have to do his wait for the Grizzlies’ backup PG to have a more stable opportunity.
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