It is never easy for any player to try to fit in with a star-studded team, especially if we talk about a historic squad like the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. Toni Kukoc, the best player in Europe at the time, knew that adjustments were needed if he wanted to succeed. The only questions then were what and how.
Kukoc joined the Bulls several years after being selected 29th in the 1990 Draft. Rather than immediately suiting up for Chicago, the 6-foot-11 player spent three years in Europe playing in Yugoslavia and Italy. However, Toni already had an idea of the NBA’s brand of basketball.
Toni’s baptism of fire
The Croatian sensation was part of the national team that faced the 1992 Dream Team at the Barcelona Olympics. In their first encounter, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen joined forces to clamp down on ‘The Waiter.’ It was their way of sending a message to Bulls general manager Jerry Krause, who actively praised the four-time Yugoslav League champion.
Kukoc finished with only 4 points, a rebound, and six assists. Instead of complaining and being demoralized, he took that shackling differently, realizing he still had areas in his game that needed polishing.
“I knew that I played bad and that I could play much better,” Kukoc said.
He would make up for that poor performance in the gold medal round. Kukoc would have a better outing, dropping 16 points, five rebounds, and nine assists in that 85-117 loss to the Dream Team. Kukoc would join the Bulls after that Olympic stint, although a lot of work still needed to be done.
Helping Kukoc
Talent-wise, there is no question Kukoc had it in abundance. But he needed to set goals to get acclimatized to the NBA brand of play. Help and support were needed to reach them. Jordan knew that and pointed out how he and the rest of the Bulls needed to help their new teammate.
“He’s going to have to deal with expectations. I think that’s something we’re going to have to help him with. But I think it will make our team better. We’re banking on him,” Jordan said via the New York Times in July 1993.
Unfortunately, Jordan and Kukoc never got to play in the latter’s first NBA season. The North Carolina product retired, leaving Toni and Pippen to continue the Bulls’ legacy.
The two players’ contracts sparked quite a bit of controversy at the time. Kukoc agreed to a 7-year deal estimated to be worth around $17.6 million. On the other hand, Pippen was negotiating his contract. Pip was one of the underpaid players at the time, although his pay was still higher than Toni’s annually.
He earned $3.4 million during the 1992-93 season, the highest he earned in a Bulls uniform in the eight seasons he played there. For the 1993-94 wars, he was paid roughly around $3 million.
The money issued was eventually settled, and Pippen had to prove he could lead instead of Jordan. He had a year to prove that but failed despite further establishing himself as one of the most versatile players in the history of the NBA. The Bulls’ trajectory would change in 1994 with Jordan deciding to return to the NBA. He, Pippen, and Kukoc found a way to blend in, delivering the last three of six titles to the Bulls.