How Important Was Toni Kukoc For The Chicago Bulls?

[@cboz3712]

I am from Greece. When Toni arrived in the late 80s on the European basketball scene... we were amazed... We had never seen a player like him before. That tall lanky left handed kid was a nightmare for every opponent team. His playmaker court vision, the impossible assists (once he did the behind-the-back ellbow pass in a game!), the thunderous dunks, the 3s from everywhere on the court, the fantastic footwork, the killer instinct... At times the game seemed too easy for him. He was already a legend in Europe when he left for the NBA and I admit, I was a little dissapointed, when I heard he was going to the Bulls... It was clear that he would take a back seat to Michael and Scotty, two of the greatest players of all time. But after all he made a name for himself in the USA, he won 3 rings and is now a HOFer. Well deserved Toni. Thanx for the great memories.

[@randompalmtopgaming7541]

Best comment

[@radosbec9347]

I remember a great Greek player fighting Yugoslavia from that era.. similar to Drazen in scoring.He was formidable and it was joy to watch him play against us. I forgot his name.

[@georgestamatakis697]

​@@radosbec9347Nick Galis

[@lukaz1034]

Kukoc was amazing. If he was anywhere else, he would easily have 20/7/7 averages. But he had no problem coming off the bench, just so the Bulls could win it all. Underrated player with virtually no ego, and those are worth gold...

[@fekalistagrzybowory7619]

In Poland was a player with similar skills. Adam Wójcik. He was even at tests on Los Angeles Clippers in 1992. But he wasn't drafted, cause at that time guy with height of the center wasn't seen played at small forward position.

[@ThiagodMoraes]

I agree with all said, Kukoc was crucial to my Bulls sucess, i loved to watch him playing during those years!!!

[@curtisfranzen986]

I always liked Tony. Yes, Tony was the caliber of player that you can say his first name and everyone knows who you're talking about. Tony was the ultimate 6th man. He would be a superstar on any other team. Ultimate respect for Tony.

[@brood8100]

Well said

[@wordlife6216]

You guys need to cut this "any player that isn't Jordan/Kobe/Lebron" is underrated. Every damn video. Kukoc is not a highlight reel player so casual fans may not watch him

[@christoslefkimiotis9889]

Pink Panther, was his nickname in Europe. In NBA he was "the Croatian sensation", "the waiter"... he is the only player with 3peat in NBA and in Euroleague and member of one the best ever teams the Yugoslavia 1989-1991.

[@fidelsolis6070]

So true one of the best I worked how shirt and shoes But with his shoes I use to skip m one time I got a sprang ankle

[@dariogeorge8680]

I met Kukoc back in 2002 in Split. Nice guy. Great player. Tall as skyscraper.

[@RatedPR]

Tony Kukoc is like everything the NBA looks for in players now in 2021

[@ZappakeR]

Toni came in 15 years to early. If Kukoc played today, he would be the best euro player ever and a perennial MVP candidate.

[@CroPETROforeverNBA]

And yet.. on LAST DANCE poster they placed Steve Kerr alongside Jordan, Pippen and Rodman, and not Kukoc. One of the 1000 crimes against Kukoc by Bulls and NBA.

[@jasonpoletta1797]

For sure. No Kukoc no 2nd 3peat

[@zer0pulse156]

it is because he is not an american...and Kerr was immortalize with that clutch shot.

[@pp-vf8ls]

@@zer0pulse156 and because of the GSW

[@mikewilliams9069]

Jordan got bailed out by kukoc

[@wordlife6216]

I thought you guys were arguing that White Supremacy lead to Kukoc getting favoritism over Pippen. Now he is underappreciated? Make up your mind internet outragers!

[@kennetholiver8960]

Toni was about winning. His basketball IQ and and clutch plays made this team even better than the first 3 peat of the bulls! He was a nightmare for small forwards and quicker than power forwards! He could easily been a triple double with any other team on any given night.

[@engraciofuluyafoy6404]

It is very hard to find a player in the NBA nowadays who has the talent, skill set, and physical prowess and humility of a Toni Kukoc. In today's NBA, players with average talent trash talk, boasts during games and kneel down during the anthem. Backward, isn't it?

[@kennetholiver8960]

@@engraciofuluyafoy6404 I agree 100%

[@wbdrugstrat]

I remember an old European friend back in high school who told me that Kukoc was special when he first arrived to the bulls. I never really pause much attention to his career, but it is clear that my friend was right. Great video.

[@tiagopinto365]

Toni kukoc One of my favourite players ever!! Toni could do it all while keeping that same humble killer energy in the ultimate Rock star Team such a joy he brings to the Game!! MrClutch The European Wonder

[@roderickcampbell2105]

Toni was awesome. He was a major player in changing the game into a really global game. He wasn't the only one, but he was part of making basketball the game it is today. He also had a very good and distinct style. I really admire Steph. But he's too darn quick! Clyde, Toni and other have a smoothness that is really great to watch.

[@kevinhegwood615]

Imagine what prime Kukoc could do in today's NBA.

[@shade0180]

@@kevinhegwood615 A more athletic klay. He was good at catch and shoot. He doesn't require hogging the ball, probably better defender too. He'd definitely would be a secondary starter if not the main star.

[@weneedhim526]

@@shade0180 athletic and acrobatic**

[@shade0180]

@@weneedhim526 Yea, acrobatic, he also has that in his arsenal.

[@johntodd6055]

Toni Kukoc is the “X” factor that makes the 96 Bulls the greatest when comparing the greatest teams of all time!!! There’s no player like Kukoc that other great great teams had to compare to him. When other great teams stars go off the court to rest, no other teams had a Kukoc to be the go to guy and not miss a beat, or have a bench player that could come out and drop 30!!! Kukoc is why the second 3-peat Bulls was the best!!! Thank You for posting this!!!! Youngins need to know !!!

[@dragonray9450]

Such an unsung member of the greatest sports team ever!!! Kukoc was one of the prototypes of todays NBA players. Great Vid :)

[@jomengmorelos5911]

best old school nba youtube channel👌

[@richieblas854]

To me, Toni Kukoc is one of the greatest international player to ever set foot on the NBA basketball court. 🏀

[@andymullarx6365]

When the Bulls had Kukoc, Jordan, Harper, Rodman and Pippen that was my favorite lineup and gave Phil the opportunity to play that group as a unit which would be as difficult a squad to defend as I've seen in recent times. All but Rodman were interchangeable by positions and therefore had four multi-position players each capable of playing the point guard 2 guard and small forward positions and Tony could also play center with that group. I was so happy back then that the Bulls chose to keep Ron Harper when Jordan returned from baseball instead of viewing him as just a duplicate shooting guard since the Bulls never really had a true point guard through either championship runs. Paxson, BJ Armstrong, Steve Kerr ans Ron Harper shared the backcourt with Jordan and only BJ was a point guard by trade coming out of Iowa but he rarely played a true point guard position with the Bulls and mostly lived on the perimeter as a three point bailout shooter when the shot clock wound down. Michael and Scottie ran the show and their teammates seemed to understand to get the ball to one of them as quickly as possible unless tnere was some unique transition play where there was somebody else downcourt on a turnover. Dennis Rodman who was mostly known for his rebounding ability or for being a tough defender was also a great outlet passer and operated like a quarterback and it was something I noticed before he came to the Bulls but once he had Michael and Scottie to pass to it was clear to anyone that watched the Bulls how important his rebounds were because he quickly converted them to points with his quick accurate passes downcourt to one of those guys and hit them in stride. I hope somebody has or will compile a video of Dennis passing after a rebound so people can see how good he was at it.

[@chrishandsome4267]

Wow dude well said

[@kenneths.perlman1112]

And Kerr.

[@kenneths.perlman1112]

True that. The team had four hall of famers. Ron Harper and Steve Kerr and two big centers who could pass and occupy space.

[@karensauls1469]

Agreed on Toni. So good to see someone put respect on the man's name. He deserves it. Everything he contributed gets lost in the entirety of the story which belongs primarily to Michael. But he had monster games that literally saved the series that they were in. Jordan didn't make those couple late shots, Toni did. He was just as important in those finals as ANYONE else was.

[@wordlife6216]

Kukoc is not respected? Everytime Lebron James fans argue, they say Kukoc was an unstoppable person on an unfair superteam (the 96 Bulls.)

[@jakedooley5300]

@WWE , kukoc was nowhere near as good as john stockton

[@your_royal_highness]

I was watching some of the Knicks/Bulls playoff series in 1996 and the Bulls missed having Kukoc….he would have really opened up the court more for the offense. I am happy for him that he got into the HoF

[@mmaj8982]

6'11. great shooter. good handles! sh!t defense. top 3 player in today's league.

[@pluto545]

Toni was a great player, but let's not be ridiculous. The top players, right now, are Curry, KD, GIannis, Lebron, Kawhi, Embiid, Jokic, Dame, and Luka. Kukoc might have been top 20/30 player, but top 5 or 10 is an over-estimation.

[@miket8763]

His shooting arm mechanics is still one of the most fluid I have ever witnessed.

[@kevinhegwood615]

Toni was super clutch . And during the 2nd 3peat, Phil Jackson could put him with any one of their big 3 and gain points on the other squads bench. He always put up better numbers as a starter, but c'mon, no team's backups could guard him.

[@mirkocapeta387]

I suscribed this chanel becouse, hoster understand how good Kukoc was. He was european Magic Johnson. In Europe he was basketball God.

[@haskyb9184]

Great video. Truly underrated player who deserves a bit more respect/exposure for his understated greatness

[@wordlife6216]

Every Lebron James fan says Kukoc was a super player on an unstoppable super team. He is appreciated.

[@wordlife6216]

Its Pippen that says Kukoc is overrated due to anti-black racism. Because Kukoc took that shot. Depressed Pippen and caused his wife to cheat on him

[@guyanesegal3166]

Every player is underrated. Every video has the same discussion. Shut it. That word's meaning

[@haskyb9184]

@@guyanesegal3166 didn’t your mother teach you that if you haven’t got anything nice to say then don’t bother speaking? To acknowledge someone’s achievements is a positive thing

[@MarioCindric]

@@wordlife6216 You are liar. Many times Toni said that Scottie was his guy and man who helped him the most when he came to NBA and was taking care of him. He had biggest bound with Scottie at that team. I know that because Toni spoken about that many times in Croatia media.

[@Emiliano_5000]

I loved to watch him play.

[@Thorcat001]

Toni was awesome

[@benjaminlopez0629]

I agree with you Toni was something else I always like him and always mention him in 90s basketball conversation

[@high-defRJ]

Toni was the real deal in his rookie and in his second year in the league with clutch game winners. But in addition to his playoff successes as a Bull, I can never forget the nationally televised game against the Lakers, with Jordan struggling in the second half, leading the Bulls to a comeback win with clutch 3s, taking the role of the scorer. Though different in skill sets, I see similarities between Kukoc and Ginobili that they could have been the focal point on other teams but embraced coming off the bench for team success.

[@Nanahuatin]

Bro I think I was at that game, with Rodman hitting two free throws at the end of the game.

[@MarioCindric]

Toni destroying Shaq at offense and Rodman destroying Shaq at defense. Van Exel dancing, Shaq bulling, Eddie Jones smiling and rookie Kobe watching. Lakers thought they got mighty Bulls that night. And than Toni showed crushing their dreams. Yeap, I remember that night, broadcast was in Croatia also.

[@rick5976]

@@MarioCindric Greatest regular season game I've ever seen.

[@g.p.hamilton33]

Man! Thank you so much! Tony was really great! I was a kid. Fuck! 90-th was... I don't know... It was the best time ever! Best Basketball! Best football (soccer - I'm from Europe)! Best music! Best movies! And Tony was one of our (me and my friends) best players! I had a friend, his name was Anton, and we called him Kukoc)) Fuck! What a time it was...

[@matrixrevolution2600]

Love Kukoc. Exceptional talent, and a great human being. Really humble person! Mad respect for him🙌

[@mirthumos]

Tony K was amazing! I miss the 90's ball.

[@jsfbr]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Those like me who watched those games live on TV do admire Tony. I tell you, to this day, whenever I think of Chicago Bulls, the first image that comes to mind is that of TC running the floor. That entire team was pleasure to watch. Thanks for this video.

[@theedge1962]

He is a basketball genius and Amazing player

[@nicksoldschoolbball]

Big props to you, man! You are a true, great basketball fan that really understands the game and history. I'm so glad that someone remembers players who had great impact on the game of basketball without blindly looking at the stats. I'm from Croatia so when someone mentions Toni Kukoč, Dino Rađa or Dražen Petrović brings great joy for me.

[@cheeseburger12]

Toni would have been a legit allstar if he wasn't stuck coming off the Bulls bench. But then he wouldn't have three titles and part of the greatest team in history. His problem was that he really played the same position as Pippen. Small/point forward. On the right team, he would have been better then Pippen offensively. But he didn't have Scottie's lockdown defense.

[@FoxUnitNell]

It must have been hard to in bound from Toni as with that last clip I believe he just tipped the pass in and even got the slam during the surprise break 💔.

[@cheeseburger12]

@WWE , I disagree, I think if Kukoc was with a team where he was a starter at his natural position instead of on the bench with the Bulls, he'd have some highlights. I think he'd be a forgotten player now though, because he wouldn't have won 3 titles. But he would have had an allstar appearance then.

[@wordlife6216]

@@cheeseburger12 what about John Stockton? People talk more about Kukoc than Stockton. Lebron James fans say Lebron never had a player as good as Kukoc for help

[@MB-cb2he]

In NBA 2K I use Jordan, Pippen, and Kukoc if using the 1996 Bulls. The other players I don't know how to use

[@cheeseburger12]

@@wordlife6216 I am not as big a basketball fan as I used to be, but I have a hard time imagining it to be true since Stockton is one of the all time great point guards.

[@elviszupan563]

Toni was the glue keeping Bulls together,humble,spectacular and before his time.

[@flp6954]

Great video David, greetings from Croatia, land of 4.5 million people

[@noelsantiago2664]

That’s the original big 4 Jordan Scottie Rodman Tony

[@tomakavonius5496]

Even Ron Harper was borderline all-star level player. He was around 20/5/5/2 guy on Clippers before taking a more defensive role coming of the bench in Chicago.

[@LKaramazov]

This guy was integral. He was as clutch as they come!

[@seashore1909]

Thanks for giving Kukoc a well deserved recognition. He was an integral part of the Bulls championship runs.

[@bronxboys101]

He is the man, GOAT 🐐

[@kevinmcauley7527]

100% agree that he was an essential part in the Bulls continuing success in the mid to late 90’s.

[@FoxUnitNell]

Bird during the pacers game must have been looking at a young self playing when seeing tony get that buzzer beater and asked the guy to stop it.

[@davidlalramnghaka240]

Right man for the right time

[@Nanahuatin]

Tony along with Rodman was definitely the biggest key for the second three peat oops sorry and don't forget Harper

[@johngrant73jg]

Yaaaaasaaaaa

[@mikewilliams9069]

Jordan got carried by superteams

[@armandr1613]

@@mikewilliams9069 You're right he had massive help! I mean you got guys like Bill Wennington, Jud Buechler and Luc Longley on his team its hard not to win Championships. So much help!

[@mikewilliams9069]

@@armandr1613jordan handpicked the best Superteams ever

[@armandr1613]

@@mikewilliams9069 So many handpicked guys like Mike Miller, Ray Allen, Chris Anderson, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis... oh wait my mistake.

[@HeatingUp1000]

One of my Fav. Bull player, thank you for bringing this up to date 📅 for everyone! 🙏 amazing video

[@jamespuso1627]

One thing I think goes a bit underappreciated with Kukoc, he and Petrovic in the 90s impact on basketball in what used to be Yugoslavia. There are people who think if Yugoslavia still existed THEY'D be the basketball powerhouse of the world today. Without Toni would we have Jokic, Luka, Vucevic, Boban, Dragic or Nurkic today? Maybe not.

[@fekalistagrzybowory7619]

In Poland was a player with similar skills. Adam Wójcik. He was even at tests on Los Angeles Clippers in 1992. But he wasn't drafted, cause at that time guy with height of the center wasn't seen played at small forward position.

[@zer0pulse156]

@7:21 mark, Rodman was hugging Carr LOL... it was like "it's ok bro, I got you, it's ok to cry"

[@AllinOne-dg3dk]

toni KUKOC is a LEGEND!

[@uscgbmcmretired2490]

Awesome talent, occasionally a liability on defense! Thnx Toni for helping to bring 3 Championships to Chicago!

[@ronlawrence342]

Great deliver , good information from the past . Just a tidy smooth packaged narrative of a great player . Love the good balanced and fair analysis . Big thanks!!

[@agdolany1094]

We German kids sometimes called him Kuhkotz back then. But only as a joke, we were fully enamoured with the Bulls and Toni especially. A rare set of skills in his time and relatable because „European“

[@michaeltrenier]

KUKOC 💪🏾

[@jessiegomez8209]

Important indeed.

[@roncuyos1595]

It's kinda funny that during Toni's time,he had to adjust to the league's tough defense. Now,the current crop needs to adjust to the Euro style of play.

[@karliszelinskis5908]

What's going on in NBA these days is not Euro style. It's manipulation of rules to avoid any defence at all. Million steps before dribble and princesses crying upon first contact. At least they changed rules for free throw fishing, so at least some progress is being made. Disgrace of a game compared to 90s

[@weynnerguillen9533]

How Important? Extremely !!

[@matthieusaade3616]

The way he says Tchicago ...... Kukoc is like Ginobili , bball geniuses that were able to put their ego aside and play for the team . If he was playing in today's league , he'd be a superstar

[@nikolababic8371]

By far the best European player of that era. He made so many children fall in love with basketball, including myself. Incredible fantastic basketball player. Passing the ball makes two players happy, while scoring makes only one player happy. My favorite player of all time.

[@Trupp42]

Best comment ever - never ever heard this but GOLD for you. Opens up the game and motivation to the others playing and watching as well. Well said.

[@hrvojebartolovic2545]

lol Sean watched that Chicago Bulls documentary on Toni premiered few days ago and got inspired 😀

[@nicolmanliclic6159]

toni's play and skill set is definitely ahead of his time. will definitely dominate today's Nba

[@alfredoramos9782]

Toni kukoc is my favorite player in the Chicago Bulls team

[@jamalluckett]

I'm from Chicago and I lived through every Bulls Championship. Everyone in Chicago knew and still knows. Without Toni Kukoc the Bulls dont repeat the 3peat. We don't even debate it in Chicago. On any other team Kukoc would have been the star and main go to player.

[@MannyMensah94]

Toni was special 🏀🏀🏀

[@konstantinkoverchenko9587]

He was a key addition to building that super team. No matter how he was introduced to the franchise, he only proved he belonged.

[@sylence2012]

Bulls fans know kukoc played an important role the bulls had a great starting time and fantastic off the bench players.

[@paulmartinson7200]

what an absolutely great presentation!!!

[@dragonmaldito]

I saw him trashed all time in the Last Dance, but here you have to give deserved credit to Jerry Krause for recruit Tony. Without Tony Kukoc there's no second threepeat

[@MB-cb2he]

@WWE , I agree. Social Media just attracts these drama queens that look for any petty reason to be outraged. But this guy only communicates on social media. Real life humans dont act like this

[@egseven]

What's crazy is how good that team was.

[@leeh9420]

Toni was a preview of what a lot of the best NBA players today look like. He was the ingredient transformed the Bulls from a really tough team to a Rubik's Cube for other teams. There just wasn't a solution within a game for what the Bulls could do unless everyone was going wrong, and Toni always seemed to be on his game when the other guys were off, and because of his size and his diverse skillset he was able to do it against essentially any team.

[@gogalevus]

In addition to his NBA career, there should be a video for his European three peat accomplishments. That was really tough competition, playing against players like Bob McAdoo, Dino Menegin, Oscar Schmidt, Galis, Sabonis, etc. Playing in Yugoslavian basketball league in the late 1980' is another story...

[@vkubica]

Thank you for this video, Sean! 🙌

[@carloscurbelo2622]

He fix in perfetion in bulls great talent player

[@spurskie7774]

toni kukoc is really good ... if you put kukoc with that malone/stockton jazz team that team will win @ least 1 title ...

[@hvacae6904]

He and the other good role players that makes the bulls, " team of the 90s " both 3 peat bulls team have a great chemistry

[@tobyncummins]

Michael was definitely grateful to be by Toni’s side during his HOF speech.

[@scotchbeer]

Went to the bulls game when he was inducted last week. Uploading that footage I took of it right now. I was courtside and he was right in front of me.

[@JK-oc9qc]

They owe Tony big time

[@TheLazyP]

Thanks for this beautiful video. Reminds me of the doc the Buuls released a few weeks back. TO me Kukoc is like a precursor of the modern game, kind of a 1990s version of KD. While Kukoč was a better passer of course he couldn't compete with Durant's scoring abilities. But in general their physique, their height (Durant: 6 ft 10 / Kukoc 6 ft 11) and their flexible offensive game resemble each other. What do you all think?

[@midnightmatthewairs]

Love these vids.

[@ivoandrijasevic2826]

Finaly HOF. Toni was special player, only player to score like 6 points, 8 asists, two blocks and buzzer 3 point shot and man of the match.

[@thefastmagician]

Would like a video on how Larry would dominate in today’s NBA

[@DrTom1946]

Great shows, thanks.

[@larsmenken2679]

It’s not really that important who is starting the game, it’s who is finishing the game that counts. I think that was a Charles Barkley wisdom. And quite some clutch players didn’t start for their teams. Also liked hearing Paxon, Wellington, Kucoc himself. Most channels seem to focus on the stars and their opinion. Do Schrempf next. Difference of a European growing his basketball in a US college as contrast to Tony who did it in the European leagues.

[@Ihearttaylorswif]

Toni Kukoc is so good. He is in Hall of Fame coming off the bench. Let that sinked in.

[@markussladek6678]

Toni was great!

[@buzzerbeaterbuzzerbeater9001]

Legend

[@Trupp42]

Someone mentioned Bulls having an off night but I watched almost every game on record breaking season. Harper, Rodman, Longley pitched in and of course Bulls won the game. Key ingredient to best record ever. Their 2nd string was a starting 5 on another team for sure. I had just moved from CA to Colorado and got Chicago station every frickin' night with Marv Albert minus his pink bunny outfit (Do you think anyone in America cared ?) and hollering ....... OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A spectacular shot by Michael Jordan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@aaronchan1088]

one of the best 6th man of all-time. without kukoc, the bulls may not have won their 2nd 3-peat.

[@kamotsgaming2304]

other than jordan, toni is my favorite bulls player man. I have a multiple toni cards in my younger years, but my dad burned it hahaha

[@yukihirasouma4691]

😆🤣😂

[@shermanwilson4466]

Very very important!!

[@mCblue79]

6'11" Kukoc was a sharpshooting monster who would've been a walk up starter on any other team. People often forget that one player can't win a title, it takes a team of players of Kukoc's caliber

[@withalittlehelpfrom3]

Weird that pundits ever called him soft, considering he was: 1.) a war refugee who made his way to the US; 2.) 6’10” and built!

[@stevepavicich1041]

Croatian Sensation ..! Awesome viewpoints ....

[@insuchaway]

0:09 Starks going baseline, dunking on my Skyline... Then- he's a Knick, he's a bum Now- he went from bagging groceries to dunking on my Skyline. LEGENDARY

[@randompalmtopgaming7541]

Toni was straight up one of the MOST GIFTED PLAYERS EVER. He just didn't have great drive and working ethics..more of a laid back and unselfish, fun first approach to the game . But he had the GOAT level combination of size, skill and bb IQ

[@milevadi]

Legenda🇭🇷🤙🏻💪🏻

[@mattchew6426]

Kukoc first gained worldwide attention when he led Croatia's Olympic team against the original USA Dream Team, and that squad was the only opponents that ever had the lead against that overstuffed with talent lineup...

[@josealaniz9910]

I just don’t see how Golden States best team could ever and I mean ever, beat the 70 wins team of the Bulls. Bulls would kill them on the boards for one.

[@fredericchen8132]

Young Kukoc was truly a handsome boy XD

[@fung9815]

Toni Kukoc was Dirk Nowitzki before Dirk Nowitzki