Reggie Miller Settles Debate Between Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen's Defensive Skills

The NBA legend weighs in on who was the better on-court defender between the former Chicago Bulls teammates.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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In a recent interview, NBA Hall of Famer Reggie Miller shared his perspective on the long-standing debate over whether Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippen was the better defensive player during their time as Chicago Bulls teammates in the 1990s. Miller, who played against both players, stated that he believed Pippen was the superior defender, as he could guard players of all positions, while Jordan was primarily tasked with guarding Miller himself.

Why it matters

The debate over Jordan and Pippen's defensive abilities has been a topic of discussion among NBA fans and former players for years. Miller's comments provide an interesting outside perspective from a fellow NBA legend who faced off against both players during his career. This adds another layer to the ongoing analysis of the playing styles and impacts of two of the league's all-time greats.

The details

During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Miller was asked about the defensive skills of Jordan and Pippen. He responded by saying that while Jordan was an excellent defender, Pippen was the better of the two, as Pippen could guard players of all positions, while Jordan was primarily tasked with guarding Miller himself. Miller stated, "Yep, I would say Scottie was guarding one through five and as good as Mike was and I say that because Mike had to guard me — I had some of my best games against Jordan but, when they put Scottie on me, it was a little different."

  • Reggie Miller made these comments during a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show.

The players

Reggie Miller

A Hall of Fame NBA player who spent his entire 18-year career with the Indiana Pacers and was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary team.

Michael Jordan

Widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s.

Scottie Pippen

A key member of the Chicago Bulls' championship teams in the 1990s, Pippen is regarded as one of the best all-around players and defenders in NBA history.

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What they’re saying

“Yep, I would say Scottie was guarding one through five and as good as Mike was and I say that because Mike had to guard me — I had some of my best games against Jordan but, when they put Scottie on me, it was a little different.”

— Reggie Miller (The Dan Patrick Show)

The takeaway

Reggie Miller's comments provide an interesting perspective from a fellow NBA legend on the long-standing debate over whether Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippen was the better defensive player. While Jordan was an elite defender, Miller believes Pippen's ability to guard players of all positions gave him a slight edge over his Chicago Bulls teammate.