Scottie Pippen was done with the Houston Rockets. He wanted a trade. This was the run-up to 1999-2000 NBA season and Pippen’s former coach, Phil Jackson, was working in Los Angeles.
Jimmy Sexton, Pippen’s agent, told the Rockets there was one team, and one team only, that his client would play for — the Lakers.
“He won’t report anywhere else,” Sexton whispered behind the scenes.
Sound like a familiar refrain?
Also, turns out it wasn’t exactly true. Which is only to say that I’m hoping the tale Damian Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, is peddling to his favorite reporters and league executives has holes in it as well.
Ex-Blazers General Manager Bob Whitsitt outlined the Pippen saga in a book he’s authored. “Game Changer” is due out in October. I got a sneak peek. And I think Lillard and Goodwin, should ask for an advance copy, too.