As the Bulls made the reacquisition of Scottie Pippen official Sunday, coach Bill Cartwright denied a wire-service report that the 16-year veteran was signed to back up Jalen Rose at small forward.

"In no way is Pippen being acquired to back up anybody,'' said Cartwright, speaking from Salt Lake City, where he is watching his team compete in the Rocky Mountain Revue. "I can't imagine that happening, and I don't see how some writer can even speculate that. I don't even know how I'm going to play Scottie yet. A lot will depend upon his health, what he wants to do and where we need him most. But the beauty of Scottie Pippen is his versatility and defense. Scottie can start at the one, two or three. But we certainly did not get him to be anybody's backup.''