Pippen Trash-Talks Barkley

Scottie Pippen unleashed a torrent of criticism at
Houston Rockets teammate Charles Barkley, calling Barkley "selfish" and "fat" and saying he doesn't have the desire to win an NBA championship.

"I probably should've listened to Michael (Jordan) a year ago when he said that Charles will never win a championship because he doesn't show any dedication," Pippen told ESPN. "He's a very selfish guy. He doesn't show the desire to want to win. That's my reason for wanting to get away from playing with him because he just doesn't show the dedication."

Pippen was responding to criticism initiated by Barkley, who was angered that Pippen said he'd welcome a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. Barkley said he sacrificed greatly to make salary cap room on the Rockets for Pippen, who signed a five-year, $67.2 million contract before last season.

"For him to want to leave after one year, it disappointed me greatly," Barkley said Tuesday. "The Rockets went out of their way to get Scottie and the fans have treated him well, so I was just disappointed in him."

The Houston Chronicle and The Oregonian, citing unidentified league sources, reported Thursday that the Rockets and Trail Blazers were discussing a trade that would send Pippen to Portland for Kelvin Cato, Stacey Augmon, Walt Williams, Ed Gray, Brian Shaw and Carlos Rogers.

Pippen was offering no apologies Wednesday and reiterated that he wants to play elsewhere, preferably for the Lakers and Phil Jackson.

"I wouldn't give Charles Barkley an apology at gunpoint," Pippen said, never raising his voice. "He can never expect an apology from me. If anything, he owes me an apology for coming to play with his fat butt."

"I was very shocked to see what type of player he was by spending half a season with him," he said of Barkley. "I'm a guy that's dedicated to winning, and I put out a lot of effort on the court. I expect that from my teammates, especially from a guy of his caliber."

"You know he's not willing to go the distance. There's no reason for me to put my last three or four years at risk of never winning."

"Charles is definitely one of the guys that needs to show more leadership for this ball club to be successful, and he don't show that to me. He feels hat if he gets 10 rebounds and double-figure points, he's done a good job. But that's not what the game's about. It's about defending, being professional and coming to work every day."

Pippen said one of the reasons he wants to play for Jackson is because he longs to return to the system in which they won six NBA titles together in Chicago.

"I would like to play for Phil," Pippen said. "(But) I'm not demanding a trade."

Pippen averaged 14.5 points per game last season, his lowest since his rookie year, and shot a career-low 43.2 percent. He also averaged 6.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists.

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