Michael Jordan didn't hesitate when naming the Chicago Bulls star who was a better 'all-round player' than himself

Michael Jordan was the driving force for two separate three-peats for the Chicago Bulls in the team's glory days.

Jordan claimed NBA championships in 1991,1992 and 1993 before quitting the sport after his father's murder and trying his hand at baseball.

His Airness returned and led the Bulls to another three championships on the trot.

Jordan won is a five-time NBA MVP and still holds the record for career regular season scoring average with 30.1 points per game.

He was the star of the show and the talisman but the 61-year-old was supported by excellent players in Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.

And though Jordan has always been a man of supreme confidence and self-belief, it's claimed he viewed sidekick Pippen as a better all-round player.

Jordan never told Pippen directly but according to 'Pip', the praise of him was shared to coach Phil Jackson ahead of the 1992/1993 season.

It was only years later that he heard about being paid the ultimate compliment.

Image: Getty

"Something else happened on the way toward the United States capturing the gold medal in Barcelona,” Pippen wrote in his book, as per MSN.

“I gained respect from a place where it had been absent for the longest time. From Michael Jordan.

"He came to the conclusion that I was the best all-around player on the team — and on occasion even outplayed him. He never told me that himself. That wouldn’t be like him. He told Phil at training in the fall of 1992, and I didn’t hear about it until many years later.

“Either way, that is high praise from someone with three MVPs, and to this day, it means a lot to me.”

Jordan and Pippen had a special connection on the court, boasting a record of 514-177 when they played in the regular season for the Bulls.

But while they complimented each other perfectly, there isn't exactly a friendship between the pair.

Image: Getty

“Michael and I aren’t close and never have been,” Pippen stated.

“Whenever I call or text him, he usually gets back to me in a timely fashion, but I don’t check in just to see how he’s doing. Nor does he do the same. Many people might find that hard to believe given how smoothly we connected on the court."

Across two spells in the 'Windy City', Pippen averaged 17.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.9 blocks.

Like Jordan, he also won six NBA championships. Both their jersey numbers have been retired by the franchise as a nod to their accomplishments.