“He’s Very Deserving Of The Same Contract, Because He Put Forth The Same Effort Every Night,” Michael Jordan once said of Scottie Pippen getting the same $30 million contract he had in the 1990s.

Since the release of The Last Dance, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen's relationship has been explored and analysed at length. Though MJ has always been appreciative of Pippen, even going so far as to state in the documentary that there would be no Michael Jordan without Scottie Pippen, Pippen does not appear to share MJ's feelings.

Many of the problems appear to originate from Scottie's underappreciation and underpayment during the Bulls' incredible eight-year run in which they won six titles. Jordan was making a lot more money than nearly any other athlete at the time, and Pippen wasn't even close. Jordan, on the other hand, predicted that Pippen would be granted the same $30 million contracts he had since his return to the NBA in his post-game press conference following the 1997 championship win."You know, I overshadowed Scottie a lot when I was here before I retired, and he didn't get the attention he deserved." He's grown up since I've been around, and he grew even more after I left because he realized what I was protecting him from. The pressure, the press, and the expectations, you know.

"And when I return, he shouldn't get any less care than he would have had while I was gone." And if I win MVP, which I am confident I will, he can have the car. Because he's like a younger brother to me, I'm going to make sure he gets the car. He's done well and progressed.

"He's committed both financially and contractually. And he's well-deserving of the same $30 million, or whatever I receive next year. He deserves the same contract since he gives it his all every night.

"We work out every day although he suffers from the agony. He's joining me in the gym every day to stay healthy and provide for this organization and city so that we can all stay healthy and continue to be champions. That's what brothers do: we share our success, and that's exactly what I'm doing to him. I just want the trophy; I have plenty of automobiles; he can keep the Nissan."There's little doubt that MJ admired Pippen's contributions to the team and, more importantly, how he assisted him in reaching the heights that he did. Pippen earned only $18 million over the course of his seven-year contract, a pitiful sum given his caliber of play. It's no surprise that some of the wounds from that era have yet to heal for one of the NBA's best players.

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