Pippen spins on and off the court
Oct. 8, 1996

Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls will play his favorite top 10 videos as a guest veejay on VH-1's "Playing Favorites."

Scottie taped the show at the Official All-Star Sports Cafe at Times Square in New York City. The restaurant features sports memorabilia, including Andre Agassi's ponytail and the backboard Shaquille O'Neal smashed on his way to becoming one of the NBA's leading scorers.

Scottie likes R&B and Easy Listening music. The videos he picked include songs from artists such as Whitney Houston and Anita Baker. Hey, whoever said basketball players aren't sensitive guys. Scottie's appearance on "Playing Favorites" will air on a Saturday night in November. VH-1 has not determined the specific date. I'll keep you posted.

Thrilling on the Field, Thrilling on Paper

With the publication of "Outlaws," Tim Green -- NFL veteran and FOX network NFL color-analyst -- firmly establishes his reputation as a leading writer of thrillers. Of his first book, "Ruffians," USA Today noted that it was like "North Dallas Forty" crossed with "The Firm." His second book, "Titans," was praised by Publishers Weekly as a "hard-hitting, high-scoring football thriller".

Tim published his first book when he was 28. At that time he was a star defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons. He told me he began writing his first novel during his second season in the NFL. He finished it during his sixth year in NFL and it was published during his eighth season.

A first-round draft pick from Syracuse University, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa (he was co-valedictorian of the class of '86) and he recalls how, as an English major, he met a professor/writer -- Tobias Wolff.

Today, Tim says the two writers he really admires are John Grisham (for his commercial success) and Wolff (for his writing style). Tim told me he always dreamed of being a writer and said if he had to pick one career it would have been too hard to choose.

Tim said a lot of players and coaches are supportive of his writing. As a matter of fact, players and/or coaches approach him every week at football games he covers for FOX and talk with him about his books.

Sadly, Tim said that early in his football career his frequent reading was frowned upon. He said he always had books in the locker room and would read during down time. Tim says they were taught to live and breathe football. He says some people still find it hard to accept that he was a football player who could also write.

Tim said he's working on his memoirs and has made a deal with CBS Entertainment for the rights to his book. Who would Tim like to play himself in the movie? Tom Cruise, of course, but he is concerned that Tom is too small to play a football player (oh, Tim they can do magic in Hollywood).

Celebrity Race Updates

There must have been a lot of television producers and executives shakin' in their boots this past weekend because there were some big-name television stars in race cars.

"Home Improvement" star Tim Allen finished sixth in the final race of the SCCA World Challenge series at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, California. Another ABC star -- Craig T. Nelson -- raced, too. He and his Screaming Eagles Racing Team finished seventh at the Daytona IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) Finale.

"Beverly Hills 90210" star Jason Priestley, along with co-driver Scott Maxwell, finished with an impressive second-place win at the IMSA Endurance Race at Daytona, Florida.