Hall-of-Fame Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen gave a genuine tribute on social media to former Trail Blazers big man Clifford Robinson.
During his time playing with the Portland Trail Blazers over the course of four seasons, former Chicago Bulls Hall-of-Fame forward Scottie Pippen used his experience and versatile skill to push them over the hump to the playoffs each year. Pippen was not the same player he was with the Bulls during the latter years of his career with the Blazers, but he did have some very talented teammates out in Portland.
But one of the most notable former Trail Blazers players of the 1990’s, 6-foot-10 and 225 pound power forward/center Clifford Robinson, just missed being Pippen’s teammate by a couple of years. Robinson spent eight seasons with the Blazers. He averaged 16.2 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks, during his nearly decade long run in Portland.
Robinson was well before his time as a big man in the NBA. He was a solid stretch big man that shot 43.8 percent from the field, 35.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 68.9 percent from the free-throw line. Robinson was also a one-time NBA All-Star selection, two-time All-Defensive Team selection, and the 1992-93 Sixth Man of the Year award winner.
I'm heartbroken to look back at this moment. Cliff Robinson was so important to his #Blazers teams and I always enjoyed competing against him. Another brother who left us long before his time. You'll be missed, Uncle Cliffy. RIP @UncleCliffy30 @trailblazers pic.twitter.com/bA2HWpM8iv
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) August 29, 2020
Although Pippen and Robinson were never teammates in the NBA, they appeared to be close. And with the tragic passing at the age of 53 of Robinson this weekend, Pippen released a tribute to him on social media stating that he’s “heartbroken” from the news.
Robinson was a native of Buffalo, NY, and attended UConn where he played his college ball. He helped the UConn Huskies rise to prominence in the late 1980’s in the Big East. Robinson was a two-time All-Big East Team selection during his four years playing at UConn.
Pippen and Robinson faced each other 29 times during the regular season and in the 1992 NBA Finals. Robinson averaged 14.5 points per game, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks, in his 29 tries in the regular season against Pippen.
There were plenty of fun battles that took place between Pippen and Robinson, namely during their runs with the Bulls and Blazers respectively. It’s a shame to see Robinson pass so soon, but he left basketball fans with so many great memories at the college and NBA level over the course of his nearly two decade long career in the pros.