Michael Jordan is still taking it personally. The basketball legend, known as “His Airness,” recently skipped the Chicago Bulls’ inaugural Ring of Honor gala along with his former teammate Scottie Pippen, further fueling their ongoing feud.
According to Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, it was a challenge to get Jordan and Pippen to attend the event. “I actually don’t know how much effort went into it,” Reinsdorf said. “Obviously, it would be better if everybody were here, but we knew going in that not everybody could be here.”
Both Jordan and Pippen had informed the Bulls ahead of time that they would not be attending. The public feud between the two has been escalating since the release of the documentary series “The Last Dance” in 2020. Pippen has taken multiple shots at Jordan, publicly criticizing him and their time together on the Bulls.
Despite their absence, Jordan did send a video message expressing his gratitude to Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf for starting the Ring of Honor. He stated that he was “so bummed” that he could not attend the gala.
The Bulls were also caught off guard by Dennis Rodman’s unexpected absence from the event. However, they remain hopeful that he will be present for the halftime festivities during the Bulls’ game against the Golden State Warriors.
Michael Reinsdorf, the president and CEO of the Bulls, acknowledged that scheduling conflicts may have been the reason for the players’ absence. He emphasized that the event was meant to show appreciation to the players and staff.
The Bulls officially announced their inaugural Ring of Honor class in December, which includes notable figures such as Artis Gilmore, Phil Jackson, Johnny “Red” Kerr, and Jerry Krause, among others. The 1995-96 team, in which Jordan and Pippen played a significant role, is also part of the honored group.
Although Jordan and Pippen were absent, several players, including Jackson, Kukoc, Longley, and Harper, attended the gala. Additionally, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who previously played with Jordan and Pippen on the Bulls, helped emcee the event.
The ongoing feud between Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen continues to captivate fans and basketball enthusiasts alike. As the iconic duo remains at odds, their absence from the Ring of Honor gala only adds to the intrigue surrounding their relationship.
