Remembering Toni Kukoc as a Chicago Bulls player.
I remember vividly the way he plays basketball games. How in a fastbreak play when during that time what was thought as the most sensible move is to drive to the basket for an easy layup or a dunk. And rightly so, it is until today is regarded as high percentage shots. Toni Kukoc though would dribble himself back to the 3 point line and nail a 3 pointer. For a fan, it would be like scratching your head to ignore a high percentage but dismay turned into jubilation every time he hits that shot. And indeed that kind of shot is a high percentage shot for Toni Kukoc.
Before Stephen Curry revolutionized the game with 3 pointers, Toni Kukoc showed us a glimpse of what future basketball should be. Toni Kukoc is a man ahead of his time. He is what the NBA of today is looking for a big man. A 6'11 player who can dribble pass, shoot from outside, and more importantly with high basketball IQ that makes his teammates better. He is a true personification of an efficient team player.
Even before his arrival on NBA, Toni Kukoc is already a legend in his own right at the European basketball arena. And during that time when only very few European players qualify the NBA, Toni Kukoc opened this opportunity for European players to enter the NBA league. The Euro League already calls him with many names like the White Magic, The Waiter, etc, indicating his prowess in passing the ball. Even at 6'11'', Ton Kukoc displays court generalship and passing abilities few point guards can surpass.
Kukoc won three championships with the Bulls and was the 1996 NBA Sixth Man of the Year. He could have the main player if he played with any other NBA team during that time. But his unselfish playing style also blended well as a backup player for Jordan and Pippen during their run for championships. He can play all 5 positions and that made him a very valuable cog on that threepeat saga.
Not enough recognition from The Last Dance.
But his name surfaced controversially with the showing of The Last Dance, a sports documentary miniseries. The documentary revolves around the career of Michael Jordan, with particular focus on his last season with the Chicago Bulls. Toni Kukoc was mentioned a lot of times but many feel that it lacks enough recognition for his valuable contribution to the team. Even the promotion poster which featured the important people of that Chicago Bulls Championship dynasty never showed an image of Toni Kukoc.
Steve Kerr could never have said it more perfectly than what he told ESPN’s Zach Lowe on the said graphic. Him being put alongside the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Phil Jackson. In fact, he said the prospect almost embarrasses him.
Even today, I’m almost embarrassed, I see these graphics for "The Last Dance," these promos, and they have Michael, Dennis, Scottie, Phil and me,” Kerr told Lowe. “I understand it. The reason I’m on there is because I’m the one who’s famous because I’m the coach of the Warriors, and so people recognize me, and maybe people wouldn’t recognize Toni Kukoc or Luc Longley or Ron Harper. Or maybe their faces wouldn’t mean as much to a young generation because this was 22 years ago.
But that should really be Toni (Kukoc) on that photo, on that promo. Because he was an incredible player.
Steve Kerr being a good reader of character believes in the talent of Toni Kukoc. Even during their team's farewell dinner, he offered his toast, not to Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippen, but to Kukoc who he believes is a phenomenal player and that his character earned his respect.
At that time, European players like Toni has to gain his teammates' trust knowing that he was labeled as an outsider from Europe. To make matter worse, his team was antagonistic with Jerry Krause the man who recruited him to join the team.
Toni Kukoc bypassed as NBA Hall of Famer.
The second issue is also about NBA's neglect for Toni Kukoc to be inducted to the NBA's Hall of Fame. Even Scottie Pippen his long time teammate and who at one time run into a feud with their coach Phil Jackson because the last second play was given to Toni Kukoc and not to him on that fateful Game 3 series with the Knicks back on May 13, 1994 . Scottie Pippen told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:
I definitely think he deserves it,” He was a huge piece for us. You look at the game today, teams have the Big Three now. Toni was a part of that puzzle for us. He was productive and deserves a lot of credit for our success.
I’ve seen some things go on in the Hall of Fame that really have been a little bit shocking. I’ve seen some guys get in where I think Toni and Ron (Harper) definitely had a lot better career than those guys. I think they’re getting a little bit of a knock-back because they were part of a team with me and Michael (Jordan). But those guys are winners.
Here is one YouTube video that also discusses Toni Kukoc as a forgotten hero of The Last Dance documentary.