Is Kobe Ready For His Pippen?

The NBA goes to Vegas for the weekend and we're blinded by the sideshow even before Charles Barkley takes the court to challenge 67-year-old NBA ref Dick Bavetta in a sprint-off. First, Timmay, and now... 41-year-old Scottie Pippen wants to return as a player?!?

Coincidentally, the Lakers are in the midst of their roughest stretch of the season having dropped 7 of 10. Phil and friends are definitely in need of a little somethin' somethin'.

Its been a couple years since Pippen faded out of the hoops scene with the hapless Portland Jailblazers and about a year and a half since Phil tried to coax Pip into an assistant coaching role to provide defensive advice, mentorship for Odom, and possibly a better shot at a championship.

We've been hearing the Kobe/Lamar = Jordan/Pippen talk ever since the Shaq trade. Even Adande agreed the comparison is impossible.

Could Pippen himself be the missing link?

The Times quotes Kobe from today's All-Star media session: "I'm going to tell him there's a place in the triangle for him."

“Scottie Pippen 'Apocalypse'" video after the jump.

AP photo