Scottie Pippen is seriously considering a comeback and hopes to play for a contending team in this season’s playoffs, the Chicago Tribune’s Sam Smith is reporting.
Pippen, who turned 41 on Sept. 25, says he’s in better condition and health than at any time in the last five years.
Pippen will give an indication of where he is physically when he teams with the Bulls’ Ben Gordon and the Chicago Sky’s Candice Dupree in the “Shooting Stars” contest part as part of Saturday night’s All-Star festivities.
“I’m thinking of trying to come back for the playoffs,” Pippen said. “Something like the last two months of the season, somewhere I can come back and play limited minutes to start, play point forward for someone and build toward the playoffs. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for the last three months.”
Pippen last played for the Bulls in the 2003-04 season, when knee problems limited him to 23 games. He said he’s considering the right situation and plans to talk to some teams and players during the weekend.
“Being out of the game, my body feels great,” Pippen said, adding that his body fat is at an all-time low 5 percent and he’s at his top playing weight of about 220 pounds.
“Taking this break, it feels amazing. I’m looking at somewhere I could play maybe 15 minutes. I’m not trying to be a big-money guy or anything, [just trying to] get with a team I can help in the playoffs.
“My knee is good,” Pippen said. “I’ve been working out regularly, doing drills. I see my body like guys like Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar, who played till he was 42) and Robert Parish (who played until just short of 44). My body is lanky and flexible like theirs. That gives me some hope I can do it.
“I’m moving good. I feel pretty fast and you don’t forget the game. I watch and see so many young guys who don’t know how to run a team and I feel I could help someone.”
