The revisionism on Pippen here is hilarious.
Pierce was the better shooter and was a 10 time all star to Pippen's 7, and for all the talk of Pippen's defense he played in the era when you actually could play defense whereas Pierce shut down Kobe in the era when you couldn't.
Further Pippen had his shot to be the guy. He lost MJ, but was given upgrades everywhere else. He was given Kukoc, Longley, a phenomenal 3 point shooter, and a draft pick, and that was in addition to 4 time all star Horace Grant (who had the best year of his career) that was on the team.
What did Pippen do? He wet the bed. Not only did the Bulls not make the Finals, they didn't make the conference finals. They didn't win the central division. Then he sat and sulked in the last two seconds of a tied playoff game where Kukoc hit the winning shot.
Pippen was just a guy in the right place at the right time that never led a team to a conference finals. He's nothing like Barkley or Karl Malone or even Ewing or Reggie Miller. He was a good player but should never be confused with a prime guy.
He's Carmelo Anthony with way better defense. Woop de doo. Give me Pierce all day every day.