Scottie Pippen Spit On While Holding 4-Year-Old Daughter? Sent Man to Hospital (VIDEO)
Scottie Pippen was allegedly spit on by the man he then attacked and sent to the hospital Sunday, according to the latest reports. The NBA All-Star and former Chicago Bulls champion had gotten into a fight with a man who had been taking pictures of him and his family while they were out dining at a Malibu restaurant.
Pippen's fight was allegedly provoked by the man outside the Nobu Malibu sushi restaurant in Malibu, Calif., according to reports. Pippen was inside with his family eating when the man began taking pictures. However, when Pippen came outside while holding his 4-year-old daughter, the man requested an autograph, then spit on him and called him racial epithets, a source told The New York Daily News.
By the time police and an ambulance showed up, the 200-pound, 6'8" former basketball player was nowhere to be found. The man was taken to the hospital for a head injury, but some believe the man was faking being seriously hurt.
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"When Scottie left, this guy had no injuries. Scottie is very upset about the way this has been portrayed," a source told The NY Daily News. The man, who was alleged by witnesses to be visibly intoxicated before the incident occurred, was treated and released later that day.
Mark Geragos, Pippen's attorney, may file a counter claim against the man for assault and for making a false police report, the insider added.
Pippen is "being cooperative" with police, who named him as a suspect in the beating of the man. The former Chicago Bulls basketball player voluntarily spoke with authorities Monday. He met with the authorities at a Los Angeles County sheriff's substation to talk.
"He's being cooperative," police representative Steve Whitmore told the Associated Press.
Authorities are still trying to determine if Pippen will be charged with assault with intent to commit great bodily harm.
"Charges could follow, we don't know," Whitmore said. "We have to investigate and check with all the witnesses and find out exactly what happened."
Pippen currently supports the Chicago Bulls as a special advisor to the team president and chief operating officer. The NBA organization had no comment on the incident.
