Scottie Pippen had 11 points and six assists Monday night.

Just as he was to be the final Portland Trail Blazer introduced, the lights were turned down and a Pippen video tribute, featuring highlights of his 11-year stay in Chicago, were shown on the large overhead scoreboard.

The fans cheered loudly as Pippen was shown pushing Dennis Rodman -- Rodman was still with the Pistons at the time -- and when Pippen dunked emphatically over New York's Patrick Ewing.

Then the lights came up and the ovation continued.

Pippen, biting his lip and holding back tears, ventured to center court and waved to acknowledge the fans.

Before the game -- an 88-63 victory for Portland -- Pippen talked about his days with the Bulls, when he teamed with Michael Jordan to make Chicago the dominant team of the 1990s.

"Those are memories I can take to my grave with me," said Pippen, who went to Houston in a $67 million sign-and-trade deal after the NBA lockout ended last year. After the one shortened season, he was traded to Portland.

"Winning here and playing with the greatest player to ever play the game and in the greatest city in the NBA, you can't beat that," he said. "And winning championships. I miss those moments and it's hard to replace. ... I miss playing here, I miss the fans here, I miss how much fun I had when I played."

Pippen, who was often at odds with Chicago general manager Jerry Krause, says he doesn't enjoy what has happened to the Bulls, who are 2-26 after the loss Monday night.

He says the rebuilding process is going to take a long time, even with prime free agents on the market next season.

"I just wish them a lot of luck. It's going to be very difficult to convince anybody to come here right now. They don't really have nothing to offer other than money and any free agent can get that from their own team," Pippen said.

"From my standpoint I hate to see them lose. But it's kind of funny. It gives you a laugh to see how they (management) destroyed something that was great for the city of Chicago and very entertaining for a lot of people's lives. On the other hand, I'm in a great situation."

Pippen's stay is also remembered for sitting out the last 1.8 seconds of Game 3 of the 1994 Eastern Conference semifinals because coach Phil Jackson called the last play for Toni Kukoc.

That incident was forgotten, however, on Monday night as his brilliant play was remembered.

"All good things come to an end sooner or later," Pippen said.

"You learn to accept it and deal with it and move on. It would be great to still be here and still winning. But reality sets in."