NBA legend Scottie Pippen to play two games in Finland

Basketball star arrives only hours before first match

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Six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen, 42, failed to catch his scheduled flight from New York to Helsinki yesterday, so he only arrived in the Finnish capital this morning.
      Later today he is to play for the Helsinki side ToPo in a Finnish basketball league game against Tarmo of Porvoo.
     
Pippen’s flight from Fort Lauderdale to New York was delayed, which caused the former Chicago Bulls star to miss his connecting flight to Helsinki. Originally Pippen was scheduled to arrive in Finland on Thursday morning.
      "Pippen’s name was in the Finnair boarding list on Thursday evening, so presumably he’ll land here in the morning", said ToPo ex manager Aleksi Valavuori, the organiser of Pippen’s short visit. In 2005 Valavuori managed to talk Pippen’s former Chicago Bulls teammate Dennis Rodman into making an appearance in a ToPo jersey.
     
Pippen has been scheduled to appear tonight in the ToPo line-up against Tarmo of Porvoo and on Saturday against Honka of Espoo. The first game is to be held in Helsinki’s Kisahalli Arena, and the second one in the Energy Arena of the Myyrmäki Sports Park in Vantaa.
      In a message that Pippen managed to send to Valavuori from New York the American apologised for the change to his flight plans, which was due to bad weather. Pippen also said he was excited about coming to Finland and was looking forward to playing for ToPo.
     
In addition to the six NBA championships, the 2.03m (6' 8") Pippen has also won two Olympic gold medals with the USA team in Barcelona (1992) and Atlanta (1996).
      He retired from the pro game after the 2003-2004 season, but has since made noises about a possible comeback, perhaps in a coaching capacity.
      He is also slated to make a cameo appearance for a Swedish league side on January 12th.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  ToPo lose despite presence of NBA veteran Dennis Rodman in line-up (7.11.2005)

Links:
  Scottie Pippen (Wikipedia)

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