NOTES: PIPPEN ENDURES PAIN IN TIME FOR PLEASURE.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

Perhaps only Wilt Chamberlain has achieved a level of greatness comparable to Scottie Pippen and still been as haunted by his perceived failures.

Whether it was migraine headaches early in his career against Detroit or his refusal to re-enter a game in the final moments against New York in 1994, the Chicago Bulls' small forward never has been able to shake those memories in the eyes of some, despite his consistent all-around excellence.

This time, it was the aggravation of a chronic back problem in the 1998 NBA Finals that threatened his ability to perform in yet another crucial situation.

Yet Pippen showed more character and heart in Game 6 Sunday night than most of his critics believed he had, gutting through 26 minutes and helping the Bulls to their sixth title.

He scored just eight points and had only three rebounds, but he added two steals and four assists.

``I just wanted to be out there,'' Pippen said. ``I hoped that my presence out there would make a difference.''

Pippen scored the first basket of the game and also made his second attempt. However, he grimaced coming down the floor following the first basket and left with 4:59 remaining in the quarter.

He did not return in the first half but did start the third quarter and played the first 8:59 of the period. He then retreated to the locker room with trainer Chip Schaefer until the 9:40 mark of the fourth.

Pippen played the rest of the contest and contributed on both ends of the floor with a steal of Karl Malone's dribble and a jump shot to pull the Bulls within 77-76 with 5:04 remaining. Michael Jordan had missed three consecutive jumpers and clearly was showing signs of fatigue, so Pippen's basket was a big one.