Celebrity Homeowner Death Match: Jordan Vs. Pippen

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Natural talent and physical abilities might have made Michael Jordan an NBA All-Star during his playing days with the Chicago Bulls. But it was his competitive spirit that made him arguably the greatest basketball player of all time.

And when sports commentators use the term "competitive spirit" in reference to No. 23, what they really mean is "near-psychotic need to win at all costs." Remember: This is a guy who punched fellow Bulls teammate and current Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr in the face for talking trash to him during practice. ("Practice. We're talking about practice.")

So in honor of Jordan's "competitive spirit" and to help tip off the NBA Finals, which begin Thursday between the Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Patch — along with the realtor.com website — had the Bulls legend go head to head against former teammate Scottie Pippen in something the two have in common besides basketball: owning Highland Park mansions. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Highland Park — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

It's a contest we like to call Celebrity Homeowner Death Match.

Go to realtor.com for more information about and photos from the Highland Park homes of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

Where It's At

• Jordan: 2700 Point Lane
• Pippen: 3393 Old Mill Road
• WINNER: Pippen, because his address even includes his jersey number in it.

Price

• Jordan: Currently listed at $14.855 million.
• Pippen: Although it's no longer on the market — it was up for sale from June until the end of October last year — the mansion had listed for $3.099 million, and it's currently estimated at nearly $1.5 million by realtor.com.
• WINNER: Push. Jordan's pad might be commanding the higher asking price, but neither home owner has been able to flip their properties.

Reminder This Isn't Dickey Simpkins' Home

• Jordan: The front gate.

• Pippen: The front entrance to the basketball court.

• WINNER: Jordan.

Best Room to Watch This Year's NBA Finals In

• Jordan: The home theater room also has easy access outside in case the games are too boring.

• Pippen: Add a touch of class to the sports-watching experience.

• WINNER: Jordan.

Room to Best Forget About the Summer of 1994

• Jordan: The wine cellar continues the home's circular design elements.

• Pippen: Spaces for the bottles are built directly into the walls.

• WINNER: Jordan. Pippen's wine cellar needs a larger stock if he wants to forget sitting out the final 1.8 seconds of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Maybe Toni Kukoc could bring over a few more bottles to share.

Best Backyard

• Jordan: The spacious yard also sports a three-hole practice green.

• Pippen: The outdoor patio looks out over large, manicured back lawn.

• WINNER: Jordan.

Best Pool Area

• Jordan: The home's pool incorporates the residence's overall circular design.

• Pippen: A water slide, Jacuzzi and infinity pool are all part of the outdoor fun.

• WINNER: Pippen. His home's pool looks like it's for swimming; Jordan's pool looks like it's for admiring.

Best Practice Court to Punch Steve Kerr In

• Jordan: The center court also features Jordan's corporate Jump Man logo.

• Pippen: His framed jerseys hang above the court.

• WINNER: Jordan. Not only is it the fancier court, but Pippen doesn't need a place to go to punch Steve Kerr.

And after a quick tally of the different categories, the overall winner is — no surprise — Jordan's Highland Park mansion. If only he could find a buyer; the home has been on the market since March of 2012, when it was listed at the more prohibitive asking price of $29 million. At $14.855 million, it's a steal.

YOUR TURN: Don't think Michael Jordan's Highland Park mansion should have beaten Scottie Pippen's home? Check out the following walk-through video of His Airness' estate from that was made for an unsuccessful auction in 2013. Then leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section about why are taste in real estate is so egregious.

Photos via Realtor.com

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