Malik Yusef was Once Part of Scottie Pippen’s Security Detail
Last Sunday, the first of two episodes of the highly anticipated ‘The Last Dance,’ is focused on the final season of the Chicago Bulls dynasty in the late 1990s. The second episode zeros in on Scottie Pippen, who missed part of the season due to an injury to his ankle towards the end of the 1996-1997 season.
“I had a ruptured tendon in my ankle, and I decided to have surgery late because I was like, ‘You know what? I’m not gonna f*** my summer up trying to rehab for a season, you know?’” Pippen said in the documentary. “They’re not gonna be looking forward to having me, so I’ ma enjoy my summer, and I’ll use the season to prepare.”
Pippen wasn’t happy with his contract with the Bulls, and they weren’t willing to renegotiation as he was only making $2.8 million, which made him the 122nd highest-paid player in the NBA [1997-98 season].
Before the Bulls started winning championships and Scottie Pippen was still on his rookie deal in the early 90s, GOOD Music and Taylor Gang affiliate Malik Yusef and a group of his friends were Scottie Pippen’s security detail.
“It weird because that is the time when I was a teenager, so experience it from a fan standpoint, but I did see my OGs and my uncles were experience from being in the mix with these guys. It was amazing because I got the unique opportunity to know Scottie Pippen very well. His sister moved in down the street from my house when he came to play for the Bulls, said Yusef. ‘My team and I served as a guard and protection agency for them. The energy was so high it was palpable being able to see these people that you see on television. You must understand that it was a time when the television would still go off.”
Scottie Receives a Major payday From Houston Rockets in 1999.
After Scottie Pippen’s seven-year deal with the Chicago Bulls worth $18 million came to an end. The Bulls decided to trade Pippen to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Roy Rogers and a 2nd round pick in the 2000 NBA draft, according to Anthony Duckett of spacecityscoop.com, which turned into Jake Voskuhl out of the University of Connecticut.
Per Dukett, Pippen signed a 5-year deal worth “$82 million over the course of five years, with $15 million in incentives.” Pippen would average $11 million a year in Houston with the Rockets. After Pippen was traded to Houston, it would pair him up with future Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon in Clutch City. However, If it wasn’t for Barkley renegotiating his deal, the trade for Pippen couldn’t be completed.
Unfortunately, the trio of Barkley, Pippen, and Olajuwon were only teammates for one season before the Rockets shipped Pippen to Portland for a total of six players Stacey Augmon, Kelvin Cato, Walt Williams, Brian Shaw, Ed Gray, and Carlos Rogers, according to Ryan Gaskin of ripcityproject.com.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
