What if Pippen won one of MJ's FMVPs?

[sportjames23]

Would that put Pip higher on the All-Time list? Would keep MJ from being the unanimous GOAT?

[iamgine]

Depends...how does it happen?

[dubeta]

Would that put Pip higher on the All-Time list? Would keep MJ from being the unanimous GOAT?

Yes, ahead of MJ

[Hey Yo]

What if Pippen is the one who quits for 18 months, replace him with a journeyman no name at SF like a Pete Myers skill set.

Does MJ still get the Bulls to within one win from the ECF?

[Showtime2001]

Yes, ahead of MJhttp://replygif.net/i/980.gif

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

I think he's still a top 25-30 player. Honestly, that's where I have him at anyway...

[ArbitraryWater]

http://i.imgur.com/NSFtW6C.gif

[Roundball_Rock]

1) It would have no impact on MJ. MJ would still be the GOAT (along with KAJ imo). This actually almost happened in 98' but Pippen hurt his back late in the series but through the first four games, which included 3 of Chicago's wins, Pippen was the front-runner for FMVP. The defensive dominance he had from the perimeter was phenomenal--and against the #1 offense to boot! None of that diminished what MJ was doing. MJ's resume is equally as strong with 5 FMVP's or 4 for that matter.

2) Pippen would have benefited marginally. Pippen is in the group of players that includes the likes of Isiah, Stockton, KG, and David Robinson. A FMVP would make his resume stronger so some people may have him higher among the top 22-27 type group but it would not make a significant difference. It would not vault him into the next tier. Pippen getting to the Finals in 94' (thank you Hue Hollins! :mad: ) or winning the championship in 2000 with Portland or winning a MVP are the only things that could have elevated Pippen into the next tier (Karl Malone, Charles Barkley types). It is a shame Pippen went to Portland at age 34 when injuries had diminished him, not in his prime. A prime Pippen would have easily won a ring with that team.

[SouBeachTalents]

1) It has no impact on MJ. MJ would still be the GOAT (along with KAJ imo). This actually almost happened in 98' but Pippen hurt his back late in the series but through the first four games, which included 3 of Chicago's wins, Pippen was the front-runner for FMVP. The defensive dominance he had from the perimeter was phenomenal--and against the #1 offense to boot! None of that diminished what MJ was doing.

2) Pippen may have benefited marginally. Pippen is in the group of players that includes the likes of Isiah, Stockton, and David Robinson. A FMVP would make his resume stronger so some people may have him higher among the top 22-27 type group but it would not make a significant difference. Pippen getting to the Finals in 94' (thank you Hue Hollins! :mad: ) or winning the championship in 2000 with Portland or winning a MVP are the only things that could have elevated Pippen into the next tier.

I think Pippen getting Finals MVP over Jordan would be much better for his legacy than winning a title in 2000 with Portland

[Roundball_Rock]

I think Pippen getting Finals MVP over Jordan would be much better for his legacy than winning a title in 2000 with Portland

Well, people say Pippen never won without MJ or never won as the best player to diminish him. 2000 would eliminate these problems for his legacy. Yeah, you can argue Wallace was a better player but the difference was marginal. Pippen was the clear leader of the team and in the playoffs Pippen led Portland in assists, rebounding, steals, minutes and was only 3 ppg from Wallace. You tell me who their best player was...then add to that his roles as the team's leader and the team's best defender.

Pippen was a very good Finals performer. 21/9/8, 21/9/7, 21/8/8, 20/8/4 along with dominant defense in four Finals and in 98' he was arguably at his best in the Finals before getting hurt. 96' is the only subpar Finals he had when he had multiple injuries. The argument against Pippen is not so much that he never won a FMVP but that he was never the best player during those years. I don't think a FMVP would really address that argument. Sometimes a lesser player wins a FMVP, i.e. Worthy over Magic, Magic over Kareem in 80', Dumars over Isiah or Parker over Duncan. Does that really change the narrative of them being "sidekicks" in those years? I don't think so.

I see your point, though. A lot of people on ISH place high value on the FMVP award. I don't so I am anomalous. Look at the list of ASG MVP's and FMVP's. Which roster of players is better?

[Wade's Rings]

Depends on what year he won it and if his overall impact the Playoffs as a whole was greater than Jordan's.

If he won it from 1991-1993 than he would be argued as Prime Jordan's equal. It would help his legacy tremendously outplaying Prime Mike and maybe propel him to Top 16-25 All-Time(Depending on where people have him). This is assuming that he was equal or better than Mike the entire Playoffs. If he wasn't equal and had the favorable match-up for 1 series and was clearly the 2nd Option the 1st 3 rounds then his legacy would stay the same.

If he won it from 1996-1998 his legacy more then likely doesn't improve much. In the 1996 Finals Mike was being guarded by Payton and this would be a favorable matchup. Also, Mike won the MVP that year so it would look like Pippen got lucky even though Mike was their best player. 1998 Mike was older so i believe that would be the excuse if he won, this doesn't improve his legacy if anything maybe a few spots. 1997 could improve it but again his production for the Whole Playoffs would come into play.

On Mike I think he may not be as easily Top 5 All-Time if Pippen won it while outplaying him for 1 Entire Playoff Run in his Prime. If Pippen won it because of matchups or Mike getting older he wouldn't be the Consensus GOAT but can still be argued as the GOAT.

[julizaver]

Would that put Pip higher on the All-Time list? Would keep MJ from being the unanimous GOAT?

It could not happen - I mean it was not even close and there was not even food for discussion.