"It gets so bad I have to turn around and stare at Scottie" - Phil Jackson recalls how Scottie Pippen abused Jerry Krause over his contract
Shortly after the Chicago Bulls' historic last dance, head coach Phil Jackson reflected on the numerous challenges the team encountered during that tumultuous period. One was Scottie Pippen's public threat to leave the Bulls if his contract situation did not improve.
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Jackson remembered how Pippen consistently directed his frustrations at the Bulls' general manager, Jerry Krause, seizing every opportunity to voice his discontent. But one confrontation stood out.
"Scottie, who is still on injured reserve, tells some reporters he wants to be traded, that he's not going to play for the Bulls ever again," Jackson shared via ESPN. "I figure he's just feeling his oats, momentarily ticked off about his horrible contract that pays him less than probably a hundred players in the league. But on the bus ride from the airport to the hotel, he tears into Krause from the back."
"Usually, Michael is the one who showers Krause with ridicule. But now Scottie is giving serious abuse. 'Hey, Jerry,' he yells. 'You going to sign me to a contract or trade me?' It gets so bad I have to turn around and stare at Scottie," he added.
Phil couldn't tell if Scottie was serious about leaving
Throughout his illustrious coaching career, Jackson maintained a composed demeanor, even in the most intense moments. His ability to keep his emotions in check set him apart from other coaches, who often resorted to yelling and showing frustration.
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Still, even Jackson found himself perplexed with the Pippen situation, particularly by the unusual behavior of his star small forward. It also didn't help that at that time, the Bulls were facing their own struggles on the court, and the legendary coach openly confessed to experiencing stress, an emotion he typically managed with ease.
"The next day at practice, Scottie runs well, but he doesn't have much gas," Jackson continued. "And as he talks to the press afterward, he says that after all he had done for the team, he can't stand being treated with so little respect, and he can't see himself ever wearing a Bulls uniform again."
"But that night on the bench, he is dressed to the nines in a gray pinstripe suit and boxed-toe shoes, and he cheers wildly, especially for Kukoc, who is taking his place. Still, we lose our fourth close game of the season, and I don't know what is going on. In the past, we were always the ones who won the close ones. My sleep is suffering," he concluded.
Related: Charles Barkley says "The Last Dance" increased his reverence for Michael Jordan: "Some of those fouls, you would get suspended multiple games today"
Scottie's last dance in Chicago
Despite the turmoil surrounding his contract situation, Pippen continued to play for the Bulls during the 1997-98 season. Although Chicago may have been willing to offer him a more lucrative contract or even if Jordan had chosen to remain with the team, Pip was firm in his decision that this would be his final season with the franchise.
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He was looking for an organization that would treat him with respect and value his contributions and impact.
"Even before Michael announced his retirement, I knew that I was taking a different route than returning to Chicago," the seven-time All-Star said in an interview with NBC's Hannah Storm in 1999. "I wouldn't have returned. Over time, you know, I still feel like there is some type of relationship there between me and the Bulls, but to have been there would have been very difficult for me."
"He pretty much knew it. You know, we talked a tremendous amount of time throughout the season, and we sort of had that vibe, that feeling after the season, that it was pretty much our last time together," the legendary forward added. "It was a little bit emotional at that time, but I knew that was it."
Pippen's post-Bulls run
Going into the last season of the Bulls dynasty, Krause was already sure about breaking up the team and starting the rebuilding process. Keeping an aging veteran like Pippen was not part of his plans.
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The following season, Pippen found a new home with the Houston Rockets. He was optimistic about their trio with Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon but they failed to win a championship. He then joined the Portland Trail Blazers and was appointed the team leader. However, that squad also failed to win a title.
Related: "There are only two players who could possibly do the things he does" Phil Jackson names the only players who were as good as Scottie Pippen
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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