Scottie Pippen backtracks after saying LeBron James better than Michael Jordan

The champion Chicago Bulls swingman who won six NBA titles alongside Michael Jordan boldly told the world LeBron James had surpassed his former teammate as basketball's greatest player.

But after setting discussions alight around the world, the seven-time NBA All-Star later switched paths faster than a Jordan crossover dribble.

“Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to play the game, but I may go as far as to say LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game because he is so potent offensively that not only can he score at will but he keeps everybody involved," Pippen gushed on ESPN.

“You have to be on your Ps and Qs on defense. No guy on the basketball court is not a threat to score with LeBron James out there.
"Not only will LeBron dominate from the offensive end as well, but he's also doing it on the defensive end, which really makes him the complete package.

"He's able to get in those passing lanes, shoot those gaps and create transition opportunities where he is pretty much unstoppable.”

But, doubtless after a hail of criticism, it wasn't long before Pippen changed his tune on Twitter.

"Don't get me wrong, MJ was and is the greatest. But LeBron could by all means get to his level someday," he tweeted.

Pippen said James, who spearheaded Miami to a 1-0 series lead in today's NBA finals opener against Dallas, continued to grow in stature.

“I'm seeing a great player, and a player that we've all admired for the last (seven) years of his career, but this (eighth) year here, he has really brought the complete package,” Pippen said.

“I've never seen a player that can dominate a game the way LeBron James can. He don't always have to score. He makes plays for other guys. But when the game is on the line and you need a shot to be made, he's going to make that play. He’s shown that throughout (the Eastern Conference finals) that he can make big shots.

“I think there has always been a knock on him that he don't make the big shots down the stretch. Well, I think they can put that behind him now. He's a shotmaker.

"And right now he's a man on a mission.”