Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Chicago Bulls: 30 greatest players in franchise history

By Jason Patt

PHOENIX - JUNE 20: NBA Commissioner David Stern presents Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls the championship trophy after the Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game Six of the 1993 NBA Finals on June 20, 1993 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX - JUNE 20: NBA Commissioner David Stern presents Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls the championship trophy after the Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game Six of the 1993 NBA Finals on June 20, 1993 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toni Kukoc, Chicago Bulls
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

12. player. 24. . Small Forward/Power Forward. Chicago Bulls. Toni Kukoc

Early in the second round of the 1990 NBA Draft, the Bulls drafted a talented young forward out of Croatia named Toni Kukoc. Kukoc remained in Europe for several more years, but Jerry Krause couldn’t wait for his hidden gem to come to Chicago.

Krause’s love of Kukoc and attempts to pay him handsomely to come to the NBA rubbed Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen the wrong way, especially because Pippen had contract squabbles of his own. This displeasure manifested itself in the 1992 Olympics:

Jordan retired right before Kukoc finally came over. There would be more fireworks with Pippen in 1994, but when Jordan came back and the Bulls returned to power, Kukoc played an important role.

Kukoc was primarily a bench player for the Bulls’ fourth and fifth championships, and he won Sixth Man of the Year in 1996. He took on a slightly larger role for the final title run.

Kukoc’s versatility is what made him special. At 6-foot-10, he could shoot, handle the ball and make plays for others, allowing him to play a point forward role at times. He handed out over four assists per game as a Bull and is in the top 10 in franchise history in total assists.

Kukoc remained with the Bulls after the dynasty broke up. He put up 18.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, and he played 24 games with the Bulls the next season before getting traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s now back with the Bulls as a special advisor.

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