Pippen says he'll probably retire
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-04-16 10:06

Scottie Pippen said Thursday he will probably retire following an injury-shortened season in his return to the Chicago Bulls.

But Michael Jordan's old sidekick also hedged a bit, as he has all season.

"This is probably it for me," Pippen said, the day after the Bulls completed a 23-59 season — the first time in his 17-year career he has missed the playoffs. "I'd rather not make a 100 percent commitment. But I'm quite sure that this is probably my last season."

Pippen was brought back to give a young Bulls team leadership and experience, but he had knee surgery in December and played in only 23 games.

Pippen, who will turn 39 in September, was voted one of the NBA's 50 greatest players as the Bulls captured six championships in the 1990s.

He was traded to Houston in 1999, played one season with the Rockets and then spent four years in Portland. He signed a two-year, $10 million deal to return to Chicago in the offseason and averaged 5.9 points.

Asked to reflect on his career, Pippen told reporters: "I don't want to reminisce about it right now. I may come back and play next year, you never know."

Reminded that Jordan made two comebacks after retiring, Pippen said: "He came back a few times. I guess I can come back once."

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