Facing the coach's blame, Stevie Smith didn't speak, but Pippen retorted,
"We're leading in points, my defense is solid, what's the problem? Listen, I've been teammates with Dennis Rodman, and I know the style of those guys. What they love most is to provoke you, waiting for you to lose your temper. The moment you get physical, you'll immediately be under the referee's microscope, and you might even be ejected. Why should we clash with those trash when we can win the game? I don't want to pay a fine over this stupid incident."
That's probably why Pippen could never be a locker room leader in his lifetime.
He could refuse to play during the most critical moment of the game for the sake of a shot.
He could delay surgery out of spite, regardless of the team's interests.
He could also ignore a teammate being attacked just to avoid a fine.
In the end, he was not a person with a strong sense of leadership.
At least not now.
