Scottie Pippen Questions Whether Nikola Jokic Would Thrive in ’90s-Era NBA
NBA Hall of Famer and Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen recently shared his thoughts on Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, suggesting the three-time MVP might struggle in the more physical style of basketball played during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In a candid interview with Marca’s Jorge Quiroga, Pippen reflected on the intensity of his playing days from 1987 to 2003. “Back then, basketball was extremely physical,” he said. “Hard fouls were part of the game, and teams had a tougher mindset. That’s not allowed anymore.”
Pippen, who won six championships alongside Michael Jordan, emphasized that today’s NBA favors offense and spacing. “The rules have changed to boost scoring,” he noted. “Big men shoot threes now. There are no true centers anymore. The game is positionless and more focused on shooting.”
While acknowledging Jokic’s elite passing ability, Pippen questioned how the Serbian center would handle the relentless full-court pressure typical of the ’90s. “We used to press all over the court,” he said. “Could Jokic bring the ball up against that kind of defense? I’m not sure. He sees the floor well, but that kind of pressure is different.”
Despite Pippen’s skepticism, Jokic led Denver to the 2023 NBA title and remains the centerpiece of a retooled roster aiming for another championship run in 2025-26. The Nuggets have made key moves this offseason, including trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson, acquiring Jonas Valanciunas, re-signing Bruce Brown, and adding Tim Hardaway Jr.
