Toni Kukoč 21 points - Big Performance Game 7 vs Pacers (ECF 1998)

[@deathmachineusa2689]

Kukoc= Beast. He came up big in the toughest game The Bulls ever faced in playoffs. I remember how nervous I felt game 7.

[@EHN2024]

Even in 96 vs the Sonics too

[@panther7681]

I came here after Last Dance as they don't mention him as much as he deserves. He is my most favourite player at that time for being a great team player and for being really calm under pressure. Kukoc is definitely one of the factors for the success of Bulls.

[@andywalker9079]

I watched all of the games,Tony was an absolute legend.

[@radioactivehands]

So awful they didn't talk about Kukoc or much of the other players.

[@hillboycejr4939]

….cuz it was Michaels Doc lol

[@LyricalMurderer1]

They don’t win this game without Kukoc… no doubt about this.

[@Jprecones017]

Even Luc Longley didn't mention in TLD

[@philipmarchalquizar2386]

he should be a Hall of Famer 10 years ago.

[@dl8557]

Toni was the x-factor in the second three-peat !

[@samuelcoggins9060]

That Croatian Sensation is FINALLY GOING TO THE HALL OF FAME HELL YEA MY FAV PLAYER

[@jimmymcnulty6248]

Born winner and one of the most talented european players of all time. Saviour!!!! The Waiter #7

[@mategradac199]

Real winner... 3 time mvp final four in eurolegue, MVP WC 1990,... Deserve HOF...

[@jimmymcnulty6248]

Absolutely, no doubt about it. I think he is the most accomplished player in european basketball history.

[@brianramzoti2953]

What you won't see in "The Last Dance"

[@panther7681]

I think MJ wished he could bury all these footages.

[@kuntakinte3922]

The whole documentary paid very little attention to Kukoc. But Steve Kerr got much more Screen Time which i didn't understand. Maybe because Toni is European and can't tell an American story like Steve Kerr.

[@panther7681]

@@kuntakinte3922 Maybe, but at least perhaps, translater if they didn't want to gloss over Toni. I don't get it too. I just think how could they do that to Toni since he was such a big part, and TLD didn't do it right.

[@andywalker9079]

Tony is a Bulls legend,couldn’t care what the documentary says,I know,I watched all the games.

[@wolfnite26]

MJ the snitch xD dont want us to see kukoc

[@mrpikachutravel7573]

Kukoc is the most underrated of the 2nd 3peat Bulls. He was a super Paxson. He was 6'10", great basketball IQ, great vision, great passer, crutch shooter, all already great offensive player. I remember there were games when Bulls had offense problem like when MJ had an off night, Toni would be the one to fill in and pick up the offense.

[@panther7681]

Definitely, he is the most calm and consistent player that teammates can rely on. He deserves way more credit than in the Last Dance. Kukoc was my most favourite player in Bulls, regardless of other big names in the team. They didn't mention him as much, that is why I am here to seek justice and watch his glory 🤘

[@90oftheworldisdumb3]

The reality is Tony Kukoc was better than Scottie Pippen offensively when it came to the scoring on the bulls. He was more efficient than Scottie Pippen Scotty was just there for the first three Pete and that was Michael’s running mate for a long time so he gets more recognition, but Tony Kukoc was definitely a better player offensively, especially in the playoffs

[@willdonasco5457]

72-10 + champion would not be possible without this man! But its a team to win a championship not just individual player, MJ, Pippen, Toni, Rodman, Longley et all, execute and dilvered the plays consistently

[@sbh123yt]

I am old enough to know Kukoc from his time in Europe Kukoc, Petrovic, Radja, Sabonis, Shremph were the pioneers of European players who opened the doors to other great players These guys enter the NBA after great success in Europe Today, most great NBA players from Europe enter the league much younger

[@darkogabric8993]

Kukoc-- man with balls in this game

[@williamkoscielniak7871]

Toni Kukoc was as clutch a player as it got. Between he and Jordan you could always count on the Bulls coming through when it mattered most.

[@igorstipic226]

Great Toni Kukoč #7

[@gregoryvschmidt]

Very humble as well.

[@joelhartley5108]

One of his best performances

[@outlander234]

Kukoc had very high IQ just look at the way he moved of the ball always settig people up and always trying to make the right pass.

[@realitybites629]

Tony was called euromagic. He was a 6'11" pointguard.

[@panther7681]

He was the smartest one for sure in reading the games and how to create space, and Phil Jackson was a great coach too, imo.

[@neebinmakwah349]

Irregardless, Krause {the hated one] put together incredible lineups, and won 6 championships, as well as drafting the stretch-four 6'11" from Split Croatia Toni Kukoc...he was the Architect...he brought in Phil.

[@mrpikachutravel7573]

Krause is under-appreciated, he is the one who built this great team. Of course Pippen would complain about the contract (which is legit), but Krause brought an important piece, Kukoc, to compliment MJ and Pippen. Kukoc was perfect, he didn't fight for the limelight, could pass, smart player and could score when you wanted him to and cause so much match up nightmare. It as the Phil vs Krause that made Krause looked bad. The only fault was Krause told Phil it would be his last when they could've continued for another season, and give Pippen a big contract and keep Toni to keep Bulls winning.

[@panther7681]

The doc pasted Krause as this nasty guy which coming out as one sided story, and he's not here to tell his side's. And Toni is the best buy in Bulls' history. Last Dance is a little bias and not even fair for many players, and they only portrayed MJ as this saviour of the Bulls which is bullcraps!

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

Kukoc doesn't get enough credit or respect to this day. It's great he made it to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, but his his No. 7 Bulls Jersey should also be retired by now. But no, not a peep from the Bulls, and I wouldn't be surprised if the biggest knock against Kukoc is his DEFENSE (something fanboys of Jordan, Pippen, Rodman often marvel at) and lack of consistent aggression.

[@randallmiller2030]

he made NO impact on Defense!

[@ante7652]

Best european player ever to play in the NBA still till this day…

[@ziginaigra]

most talented

[@jc2333]

Kukoc is great

[@drazenivanda9514]

Slick af, the Waiter always delivered.

[@fj9958]

What a player

[@Coach_Vedo]

Toni was really reliable and grateful player in 2nd Bulls 3peat.

[@lucamenniti3428]

I love this guy. Very talented, his moves have never been seen on a basketball court. A sort of elegance comes from his shooting mechanics (very smooth and pleasant to see). His high percentage in 3s and his ability to pass the ball make him probably one of the best european to ever play the game. Playing in the nba at that time was just possible for legends (Petrovic, Sabonis) and that gives the measure of his greatness. Kukoc, l'airone di Spalato

[@MrGiovanniOSFP]

So elegant indeed, poetry in motion.

[@TheMischiefmadness]

5:01 Rodman knew that Kukoc's FT would've gone in without looking 😄

[@mindburger]

Kukoc bailed out the Bulls in this game. This was a scary game for Bulls fans, Indiana had the Bulls on the ropes.

[@therock-cs7sp]

Kukoc saved Jordan Most favored athlete

[@coolpetsportugal947]

I think MJ said once "Toni is damn good."

[@andysenadbajric]

Toni was Great!!!

[@andrewjamessungahid7846]

Bulls could not have survived that series game 7 against Indiana without Kukoc’s big shots. Should have been in the HOF or at least have his jersey retired by the Bulls.

[@andrealettich]

and rodman offensive rebounds!!

[@stevem2323]

@@andrealettich Of course but Kukoc brought the cookies.

[@marinm7305]

Great player

[@EHN2024]

Left handed beast with the three's

[@jas672]

He was considered the “Jordan of Europe” before he got to the Bulls he could play well when it mattered most, under pressure.

[@tomislavt3344]

to be frank everybody thought of him as a Magic in Europe. One of best basketball versatile player ...

[@panther7681]

Toni will always be my GOAT!🤘

[@dfcintron]

And for some reason, Kerr is on the Last Dance poster and not Toni. They don't win this game wo him because the rest of the team was really struggling offensively.

[@panther7681]

And Toni would have settled it once and for all in game 5.

[@gogalevus]

Somehow everyone is concerned about the poster and the air time he got in the Last dance. Deep down his team mates and especially Kerr, prominent coach nowadays, knows how incremental his role was in this series of games.

[@mategradac199]

3× NBA champion (1996-1998) NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1996) NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1994) FIBA World Championship MVP (1990) FIBA EuroBasket MVP (1991) FIBA's 50 Greatest Players (1991) 5× Euroscar Player of the Year (1990, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1998) 4× Mister Europa Player of the Year (1990-1992, 1996) 3× EuroLeague champion (1989-1991) 3× EuroLeague Final Four MVP (1990, 1991, 1993) EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer (1990) FIBA European Selection (1991) 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors (2008) Italian League champion (1992) Italian Cup winner (1993) 4× Yugoslav League champion (1988-1991) 2× Yugoslav Cup winner (1990, 1991) 3× Croatian Sportsman of the Year (1989-1991) Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport (1992) this guy (kukoc) was a born winner...

[@MALOSANMAKA13]

1985 FIBA Europe u-16 MVP 1986 FIBA Europe u-18 MVP 1987 FIBA World Cup u-19 MVP Even in table tennis, as a kid, he was the national champion of his generation.

[@republikadugave420]

And still not in hof

[@ajvhan]

And that's half of the list as you have not included things he won with national team(s). Summer Olympic Games Silver medal - second place 1988 Seoul World Cup Gold medal - first place 1990 Argentina EuroBasket Bronze medal - third place 1987 Greece Gold medal - first place 1989 Yugoslavia Gold medal - first place 1991 Italy U19 World Cup Gold medal - first place 1987 Italy Under-19 European U-18 Championship Gold medal - first place 1986 Austria Under-18 European U-16 Championship Gold medal - first place 1985 Bulgaria Under-16 Representing Croatia Summer Olympic Games Silver medal - second place 1992 Barcelona World Cup Bronze medal - third place 1994 Canada EuroBasket Bronze medal - third place 1995 Greece

[@oferecidu]

Mate Gradac and not an Hall of Famer yet... Go figure! Folks talking about Steve Kerr in these Bulls teams... Give me a break!

[@infamousmaxpayne]

@@republikadugave420 because they need Jordan to look like all he had was Pippen

[@radioactivehands]

People complained on Kukoc's D but he defended well with a switch on the 7'3" Smith and forced a turnover from the Pacer.

[@JZ2001JC]

His Defense was very underrated. Great Specialist Defender because his length was used a lot in trap schemes. Improved every game every year as a one vs one defender.

[@meg-k-waldren]

2:39 for Kukoc to get the shot is some serious X and Os. MJ, Longley and Pippen all play that so good.

[@nbaclassicsish]

They did not even mention his contributions in this game in the last dance documentary. Really sad stuff considering the Bulls dont win this game without this performance. The game likely gets out of hand in the third quarter.

[@viktorx5029]

yeah I wondered too where is kukoc I knew this was his game, they never mentioned him in the 9th episode smfh

[@panther7681]

They cut out this part. Bulls wouldn't even run for second 3peat during '96-'98 without Toni. But Last Dance partly coproduced with Jordan's, so you only get to see what he wants you to see. This is just one side of a coin. If you lived through the 90s, Toni was magnificent to watch, Also Rodman was the colour of NBA. I'm glad Europe could see through and awarded him for what he deserved and massively, however US just couldn't let him have it.

[@LyricalMurderer1]

Kukoc averaged nearly 14 pts - 4 ast this series. He was responsible for at least 26 points in a series where the average score was in the 80s. He doesn’t get the recognition because doing so would credit Krause from bringing him to the states…

[@christophegauducheau9799]

Un grand joueur dans une des meilleures équipes de NBA de l histoire👍

[@bijou201]

God bless Toni. So underrted!!! Shame on you in HOF and u standing behind of "The Last Dance". This humble and probably the best european basketball ever in history - never got a real credit! Only because he's euro! Imagine his prime nowadays!

[@mikegazanchyan2423]

Toni and Bob such class👌

[@jeremybottoms6722]

I felt bad for Bird as a coach having to deal with the dynasty that was....

[@jpogigtxcr1778]

Kukoc pulling is inner Larry Bird.

[@Nashvillethegoqt1234]

I like toni

[@Topnotchryde88]

This was the 98’ Bulls toughest win. I mean they look exhausted. The Jazz were a piece of Cake compared to this Pacers series. The Pacers did not won’t to go out for nothing

[@stevem2323]

I was fucking nervous reck watching this game.

[@Biodroid11]

This was the true final championship

[@vduk]

What a HOF career.... oh herro Springfield, hows your nap

[@glennbarangay4274]

even my idol MJ needs a Saviour too.... TEAMWORK at itz Best !

[@cats3118]

Bulls is a superteam.

[@joseyeastwood]

Remember the intro by bob costas had the game on vhs for decades.

[@brianclark1858]

They dont win that game without Toni. Indiana wasn't going to let Jordan win it.

[@xxxxxJAYMILLZxxxxxxx]

They don’t win the series without Toni

[@vatoslocos4160]

Elegant touch, b-b IQ, sweet passes, clutch, 3-point shooter, dunks, unselfish... Incredible player! No HOF? Why? Almost nothing about him in "the last dance"? Political bullshit maybe

[@panther7681]

The Naismith HOF is also known for lack of transparency in selection and voting process. So regardless of whether he would ever be inducted in Springfield, for me, I know Toni deserves it but for whatever reason....In a bright side, his accolades are to me, a HOF in itself.

[@stad4883]

Hey guys. He is in HOF now. So happy for him.

[@Wache3]

And first 4 episodes of the Last Dance not even mentioned him

[@ericfurst6091]

bognar episode 5 😉

[@Wache3]

@@ericfurst6091 they talked more about that senator than about Kukoc. They hardly even mentioned him. This all looks like joke and not serious documentary.

[@darkogabric8993]

@@Wache3 ....jordans private episode

[@esoy1000]

Even without jordan 96 97 98 bulls was a contender in the east like warriors without kd.

[@stad4883]

0:53 selfish jordan didnt even help kukoc

[@MeMe-td1ye]

Mj won championships by himself; handled ball & captained defense to all star level, led NBA in rebounding & guarded Malone, won sixth man & coach of year, chased Miller so Harper could rest for scoring, led NBA in 3pt %...

[@dannyzuehlsdorf3697]

He had the stroke that night

[@zendo09]

That's why this bulls 96-98 team was deadly .. Charles Barkley was wrong he always said the best team was on 93 bulls .. he need to said that cause he lost in the finals 😅

[@anticomunista2148]

Ive always said it, 96-98 bulls where stacked. Kukoc and Harper could score 20 anytime if needed.

[@ronaldpaguiligan5421]

What he meant was that was the best team because they won without Kukoc that time. Kukoc is a very good player.

[@christophegauducheau9799]

Oui tu as raison l équipe de 96 était la meilleure quand ils ont gagné 72 10 et gagné contre Seattle

[@4pfdurk886]

Isaiah Thomas ass was like damn they should have lost

[@bruno2331]

Unfortunately we saw 70 % of his skills, If he played for any other team he would be an allstar every year

[@mikeportnoy7622]

The Bulls GM got everybody on the Bulls starting 5 at a bargain price. How great was Krause you tell me?

[@zendo09]

They match up.bulls 96 vs Warriors and they forgot kukoc was also deadly in this team ... He is a nightmare matchup for GSW same like Durant ... But he can guard KD at least

[@ymphilipsymphilips119]

There was the great kukoc before doncic

[@bakero846]

White magician

[@GreeksGods12]

Kukoc illegal Krause pickup.. Mj would still have three rings without this guy. 6'11 in a half the original stretch 4 even horry said he watched kukoc. You can't block his shot too long

[@infamousmaxpayne]

They make this narrative that Mike carried the Bulls when he had great players and very good players... Rodman is GREAT Kukoc is GREAT Pippen is GREAT Harper was VERY GOOD

[@infamousmaxpayne]

@jozo misteriozo Harper went on to rings 5 rings .. it's only 1 basketball on the court and he had to play his roll and be a defensive player(he was very good on defense) BUT he was very reliable on offense aswell when his number got called.. the year before coming to Chicago he played 75 games and averaged almost 20 a game

[@rp17rionda]

He could have scored more than 21 points in that game’ but offcourse micheal dominated the ball possession in the 4th quarter

[@JZ2001JC]

Yep. He has 21 in 3 qtts against a great defensive team in an era where 21 pts translates to 30 pts in today's era.

[@kgisabeast]

Who do you think would’ve won if the pacers made the finals and played the jazz?

[@heinzyketchupy4175]

MJ and his fans don’t want these types of footage

[@galebjohnatan1075]

I see no KERR lol

[@nathanc30]

Kukoc is twice the player of Kerr, Burrell, buechler, paxson. He was the 2nd most clutch on those bulls teams other than MJ for the last 3 rings. No credit, don't get it

[@도쿄걸-x1m]

이대 인디애나가 올라갔으면 어쩌면 창단 처음으로 인디애나가...

[@danijelhrup9715]

He had big problems with hips