 |  |  |
by: Chris Maynard
([email protected])
([email protected])
Prior to Game Five of the second-round series against the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls' forward Toni Kukoc was awarded the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award for the 1995-96 season. This glorious season proved to be the Year of the Bull when it came to NBA accolades, with Michael Jordan winning the league's MVP and Phil Jackson earning the Coach of the Year. Even at that season's All-Star Game weekend, Jordan was named the exhibition's MVP while Steve Kerr won the three-point shooting contest.
Back to Kukoc, he did not even play the last three games of the Knicks' series as he dealt with a back injury. After having an all-around great series starting for Dennis Rodman against the Miami Heat, Kukoc struggled during the first two games of the New York series. Entering the Eastern Conference Finals, Kukoc was mired in a shooting slump, just 1-for-24 from three during the playoffs.
As Chicago prepared to take on the very dangerous Orlando Magic, the Bulls desperately needed a healthy and best version of Kukoc, a player in Chicago whom had a bit of a "soft" label at the time. As great of an offensive player Kukoc was, he had a knock as being averse to defense and contact down low, despite being 6'11''.
After starting at power forward against the Magic during the second-round series of the 1995 NBA Playoffs, Kukoc was clearly seen as not the answer at the position, one reason why Chicago ended up trading for Rodman.
As the Bulls prepared for the Magic, I seem to remember Chicago media questioning Kukoc's toughness, wondering if he was truly hurt against the Knicks and if he didn't want to participate in the physical series.
Unfortunately for Kukoc, such unfair criticism was par for the course during his early tenure with the Bulls, in large part due to how Chicago General Manager Jerry Krause seemingly adored him more than Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. In turn, the superstar duo took out their wrath on Kukoc, years before he had even come to the United States to play for the Bulls.
Heck, I'll admit that I did not always recognize Kukoc's greatness at the time. It was easy to pile on the kid when things weren't going well. Jordan and Pippen were especially hard on Kukoc, through no fault of his one, though they knew he belonged on the Bulls.
Sadly, Kukoc deserved better, though his greatness is truly appreciated many years later. Without Kukoc, Chicago does not win three-straight titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
While those Bulls' team are remembered for Jordan, Pippen, Rodman and Jackson, Kukoc deserves just as much recognition, earning a fifth spot on Chicago's Mount Rushmore for this time period.
Make the jump to read more about Kukoc rising above the doubts to be an invaluable member of the Bulls' title-winning teams.
Back to Kukoc, he did not even play the last three games of the Knicks' series as he dealt with a back injury. After having an all-around great series starting for Dennis Rodman against the Miami Heat, Kukoc struggled during the first two games of the New York series. Entering the Eastern Conference Finals, Kukoc was mired in a shooting slump, just 1-for-24 from three during the playoffs.
As Chicago prepared to take on the very dangerous Orlando Magic, the Bulls desperately needed a healthy and best version of Kukoc, a player in Chicago whom had a bit of a "soft" label at the time. As great of an offensive player Kukoc was, he had a knock as being averse to defense and contact down low, despite being 6'11''.
After starting at power forward against the Magic during the second-round series of the 1995 NBA Playoffs, Kukoc was clearly seen as not the answer at the position, one reason why Chicago ended up trading for Rodman.
As the Bulls prepared for the Magic, I seem to remember Chicago media questioning Kukoc's toughness, wondering if he was truly hurt against the Knicks and if he didn't want to participate in the physical series.
Unfortunately for Kukoc, such unfair criticism was par for the course during his early tenure with the Bulls, in large part due to how Chicago General Manager Jerry Krause seemingly adored him more than Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. In turn, the superstar duo took out their wrath on Kukoc, years before he had even come to the United States to play for the Bulls.
Heck, I'll admit that I did not always recognize Kukoc's greatness at the time. It was easy to pile on the kid when things weren't going well. Jordan and Pippen were especially hard on Kukoc, through no fault of his one, though they knew he belonged on the Bulls.
Sadly, Kukoc deserved better, though his greatness is truly appreciated many years later. Without Kukoc, Chicago does not win three-straight titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
While those Bulls' team are remembered for Jordan, Pippen, Rodman and Jackson, Kukoc deserves just as much recognition, earning a fifth spot on Chicago's Mount Rushmore for this time period.
Make the jump to read more about Kukoc rising above the doubts to be an invaluable member of the Bulls' title-winning teams.
Drafted in the second round of the 1990 NBA Draft, Kukoc was seen, at least by Krause, as the future of the Chicago Bulls. When given the opportunity, Krause spoke highly of Kukoc's abilities, drawing the ire of Jordan and Pippen, who felt like the General Manager was not appreciative of what the current Bulls were doing, winning back-to-back titles in 1991 and 1992.
Consequently, Jordan and Pippen took out their ire on Kukoc, specifically during the 1992 Summer Olympics. The Dream Team duo made it personal, doggedly guarding Kukoc during USA's qualifying matchup with Croatia. Even poor Kukoc had no idea why Jordan and Pippen seemingly hated him, though the issue was really Krause. The United States would eventually play and beat Croatia again in the Gold Medal Game, with Kukoc acquitting himself better and earning the respect of Jordan, Pippen and the rest of the Dream Team.
As Chicago was down 2-0 to the New York Knicks during the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals, Kukoc was in Chicago, watching the Bulls at the Chicago Stadium, seemingly negotiating his contract to play for the team. Leave it to Krause, never one to have the greatest bedside manner, to be negotiating with Kukoc at a time when the Bulls were most vulnerable against a New York team that Chicago would stun with four-straight victories.
Kukoc would eventually sign with the Bulls during the summer of Chicago's third championship, though his dream of playing with Jordan would seemingly never happen. As Jordan retired during October of 1993, Kukoc was one of many stunned Bulls at the press conference. According to legend, Kukoc cried when first hearing that Jordan was retiring.
Despite the animus some teammates may have felt, Kukoc acclimated well to the NBA, having a great rookie season and hitting several buzzer beaters, including during a second-round Game Three victory against the Knicks when Pippen chose to sit out the final 1.8 seconds after Phil Jackson did not draw the final play for him.
Losing in seven games to the Knicks, Chicago had nothing to be embarrassed about as a team but plenty to be excited about when it came to Kukoc. The southpaw was an incredible offensive talent, with an inside-outside game and beautiful shooting and passing touch. Known as "The Waiter," Kukoc could certainly dish it out to his teammates, a near seven-footer with point-guard abilities. Even in the post, Kukoc brought much finesse to his offensive repertoire. My favorite Kukoc move was when he would back down an opponent on the right block with a couple of dribbles before reversing baseline for a lefty banker or scoop shot.
In terms of defense and rebounding, Kukoc left a lot to be desired, at least in Jackson's book. Unfortunately, Kukoc would have to play out of position as a power forward with the Bulls during his second season as Horace Grant left for the Orlando Magic. Kukoc's lack of physicality would be exposed against Grant and the Magic during the second-round loss that season. With Jordan back in the fold, Kukoc was inconsistent at best, seemingly deferring too much to the Chicago superstar. In Kukoc's defense, so were all the other Chicago teammates who had not played with Jordan before.
Ultimately, Kukoc would become more comfortable with Jordan during the 1995-96 season, averaging 13.1 points off the bench en route to being named Sixth Man of the Year.
Yet, as the Bulls took on the Magic, doubts remained about Kukoc. While his teammates had nothing but respect for his game, Kukoc was viewed by some as a bit of a frontrunner who was good when the going was good but sometimes nonexistent when things got tough.
As Chicago would go on to win three straight championships, Kukoc would shake that label, with no bigger of a performance than his Game 7 heroics against the Indiana Pacers during the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals. Watch that game to see how important Kukoc was to Chicago.
Like many a Bull who played with Jordan, Kukoc was overshadowed and undervalued. Even an all-time great like Pippen had to deal with similar experiences playing alongside Jordan.
The more I rewatch these Bulls' playoff games, the greater my appreciation is for Pippen and Kukoc.
After the 1998 title, the Bulls would be broken up, with Kukoc and Ron Harper the lone players remaining. While Kukoc was expected to be a superstar, he was not surrounded with much to work with. Krause would eventually trade Kukoc during the middle of the 1999-00 season for John Starks and a first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors. That first-round pick would turn out to be Jamal Crawford.
While Kukoc may have never been a franchise player in the NBA, he was a game-changer for the Bulls, a true matchup nightmare off the bench for opponents, an early trailblazer for a sport that has become more and more international.
In 2001, Kukoc was rightfully inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a much-deserved honor for a player I should have appreciated much more back in the day but now recognize as a truly special talent, a basketball genius in many respects.
Consequently, Jordan and Pippen took out their ire on Kukoc, specifically during the 1992 Summer Olympics. The Dream Team duo made it personal, doggedly guarding Kukoc during USA's qualifying matchup with Croatia. Even poor Kukoc had no idea why Jordan and Pippen seemingly hated him, though the issue was really Krause. The United States would eventually play and beat Croatia again in the Gold Medal Game, with Kukoc acquitting himself better and earning the respect of Jordan, Pippen and the rest of the Dream Team.
As Chicago was down 2-0 to the New York Knicks during the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals, Kukoc was in Chicago, watching the Bulls at the Chicago Stadium, seemingly negotiating his contract to play for the team. Leave it to Krause, never one to have the greatest bedside manner, to be negotiating with Kukoc at a time when the Bulls were most vulnerable against a New York team that Chicago would stun with four-straight victories.
Kukoc would eventually sign with the Bulls during the summer of Chicago's third championship, though his dream of playing with Jordan would seemingly never happen. As Jordan retired during October of 1993, Kukoc was one of many stunned Bulls at the press conference. According to legend, Kukoc cried when first hearing that Jordan was retiring.
Despite the animus some teammates may have felt, Kukoc acclimated well to the NBA, having a great rookie season and hitting several buzzer beaters, including during a second-round Game Three victory against the Knicks when Pippen chose to sit out the final 1.8 seconds after Phil Jackson did not draw the final play for him.
Losing in seven games to the Knicks, Chicago had nothing to be embarrassed about as a team but plenty to be excited about when it came to Kukoc. The southpaw was an incredible offensive talent, with an inside-outside game and beautiful shooting and passing touch. Known as "The Waiter," Kukoc could certainly dish it out to his teammates, a near seven-footer with point-guard abilities. Even in the post, Kukoc brought much finesse to his offensive repertoire. My favorite Kukoc move was when he would back down an opponent on the right block with a couple of dribbles before reversing baseline for a lefty banker or scoop shot.
In terms of defense and rebounding, Kukoc left a lot to be desired, at least in Jackson's book. Unfortunately, Kukoc would have to play out of position as a power forward with the Bulls during his second season as Horace Grant left for the Orlando Magic. Kukoc's lack of physicality would be exposed against Grant and the Magic during the second-round loss that season. With Jordan back in the fold, Kukoc was inconsistent at best, seemingly deferring too much to the Chicago superstar. In Kukoc's defense, so were all the other Chicago teammates who had not played with Jordan before.
Ultimately, Kukoc would become more comfortable with Jordan during the 1995-96 season, averaging 13.1 points off the bench en route to being named Sixth Man of the Year.
Yet, as the Bulls took on the Magic, doubts remained about Kukoc. While his teammates had nothing but respect for his game, Kukoc was viewed by some as a bit of a frontrunner who was good when the going was good but sometimes nonexistent when things got tough.
As Chicago would go on to win three straight championships, Kukoc would shake that label, with no bigger of a performance than his Game 7 heroics against the Indiana Pacers during the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals. Watch that game to see how important Kukoc was to Chicago.
Like many a Bull who played with Jordan, Kukoc was overshadowed and undervalued. Even an all-time great like Pippen had to deal with similar experiences playing alongside Jordan.
The more I rewatch these Bulls' playoff games, the greater my appreciation is for Pippen and Kukoc.
After the 1998 title, the Bulls would be broken up, with Kukoc and Ron Harper the lone players remaining. While Kukoc was expected to be a superstar, he was not surrounded with much to work with. Krause would eventually trade Kukoc during the middle of the 1999-00 season for John Starks and a first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors. That first-round pick would turn out to be Jamal Crawford.
While Kukoc may have never been a franchise player in the NBA, he was a game-changer for the Bulls, a true matchup nightmare off the bench for opponents, an early trailblazer for a sport that has become more and more international.
In 2001, Kukoc was rightfully inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a much-deserved honor for a player I should have appreciated much more back in the day but now recognize as a truly special talent, a basketball genius in many respects.
| | |
RSS Feed