Unguarded

By: Scottie Pippen, Michael Arkush

Narrated by: JD Jackson

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Instant New York Times Best Seller

This unflinching “master class” (New York Times) of a memoir from two-time Olympic gold medalist and NBA Hall of Famer reveals how Scottie Pippen, the youngest of 12, overcame two family tragedies and universal disregard by college scouts to become an essential component of the greatest basketball dynasty of the last 50 years.

Scottie Pippen has been called one of the greatest NBA players for good reason.

Simply put, without Pippen, there are no championship banners - let alone six - hanging from the United Center rafters. There’s no Last Dance documentary. There’s no “Michael Jordan” as we know him. The 1990s Chicago Bulls teams would not exist as we know them.

So how did the youngest of 12 go from growing up poor in the small town of Hamburg, Arkansas, enduring two family tragedies along the way, to become a revered NBA legend? How did the scrawny teen, overlooked by every major collegiate basketball program, go on to become the fifth overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft? And, perhaps most compelling, how did Pippen set aside his ego (and his own limitless professional ceiling) in order for the Bulls to become the most dominant basketball dynasty of the last half century?

In Unguarded, the six-time champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist finally opens up to offer pointed and transparent takes on Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, and Dennis Rodman, among others. Pippen details how he cringed at being labeled Jordan’s sidekick, and discusses how he could have (and should have) received more respect from the Bulls’ management and the media.

Pippen reveals never-before-told stories about some of the most famous games in league history, including the 1994 playoff game against the New York Knicks when he took himself out with 1.8 seconds to go. He discusses what it was like dealing with Jordan on a day-to-day basis, while serving as the facilitator for the offense and the anchor for the defense.

Pippen is finally giving millions of adoring basketball fans what they crave; an unvarnished, “closely observed, and uncommonly modest” (Kirkus Reviews) look into his life and role within one of the greatest, most popular teams of all time.

©2021 Scottie Pippen. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Missed His Shot

I was a little disappointed because Scottie was my favorite basketball player growing up. It is sad because Scottie is intelligent, has a good perspective, and has an amazing childhood story, but there is far too much whining in this book. The narrator makes this even worse. He contradicts himself so many times in this book and he doesn't even realize this. This speaks to the overall quality of literary skills of this book. By simply having a few close friends who are honest read the book and provide feedback prior to publishing, I am sure he would have made significant changes. I am almost certain he will look back on this 10 years in the future and wish he didn't publish the book like this.

Re-open the GOAT debate

Is he a bit bitter? Sure but how does a zero star recruit with the challenges he went through as a kid will himself to being a top 50 player of all time. He took every slight and used it as motivation. Just like Mike did.

Great read

I've always idolized Scottie Pippen since I was a young man, so of course I had to get his book. To say I wasn't taken back by some of the bitterness is an understatement. I felt bad reading all that I respected him for being a number 2 to MJ bothered him so much so.....nonetheless I still really enjoy reading and hearing his side of the story. I wish he would of spoken up more and not been so reserved on things. I'd of also liked if he told us more about his personal life. He left that out just sharing what he deemed necessary. Still a good read enjoyed hearing about those Bulls runs legendary!!

Highly recommend

It’s a really good book! I highly recommend reading/listening to it. I listened to it on audible and I really enjoyed the narration. The book tells a story about the life and basketball career of Scottie Pippen. I like how he leaves everything in the line and really gives his full unspoken feelings about things that when on throughout his life and career. I have gained a new level of respect for him. Thank you Scottie for this book. As I am only 22 years old, I didn’t have the opportunity to watch the amazing Bulls back then in real time. This book gave an inside scoop into everything that went on behind the scenes and also makes you think about how all athletes are more than just athletes. They’re people too. With emotions, problems, sorrows, and losses just like everyone else. A 22M dollar check doesn’t change that. No amount of money does. Again, I highly recommend reading this book. It was great!

Excellent book!!!

Love this book.. Pippen is a Hall of Famer!! One of the best all-around players in the NBA!!!

Love Pippen but....

Pippen is one of my favorites....my favorite of all time actually. If you wanna hear someone hate on Jordan this is your book. Anyway, it's a good read overall, would've been better of Pippen read the book to me.

Shade

Scottie throws a lot of shade in this book! This felt like Wicked. This is his version of everything that happened

Balanced view of the last dance and Scottys career

I enjoyed it thoroughly. Really like knowing more about Scottie Pippen. Gave a Balance view of the last dance. And I really enjoyed how he emphasized the teams win championships not individuals.

Great book

Thank you Scottie for this 🧡 The narrator did an amazing job, sounding so realistic. Well done!

Unguarded thoughts

The book was good. It delivered the story. His perspective was good and informative enough