As a multi-faceted scorer from overseas, Toni Kukoc was truly a man before his time during his days in the NBA.
In the offensively challenged era of the 90’s, most power forwards were of the bruising variety, on the court to make things physical and wear opponents out with their suffocating style of play. Kukoc was different in that he actually relied on a set of skills.
An okay outside shooter at 32.7 percent from distance for his career, Kukoc was able to work as a small-ball four next to Scottie Pippen. This truly created matchup problems for opposing defenses, who simply weren’t used to those types of talent from both forward spots.
Kukoc was also able to put the ball on the floor and take it to the basket with flair and creativity, making it difficult to guard him given that he stood at 6-foot-10.
The Big Three of Michael Jordan, Pippen and Dennis Rodman rightfully get most of the credit regarding the latter half of Chicago’s six championships, but Kukoc wound up being a vital part to their success.
With such a unique range of offensive talents stuffed into a body that would qualify most as a center, Kukoc provided an immense value to the Bulls off the bench. He was someone who could come in and carry the scoring load for spurts at a time or simply play off the duo of Jordan and Pippen.
Nobody had really seen a player like him at that size, providing Chicago with the ultimate secret weapon off the bench, making an already dominant Bulls squad that much more ridiculous on the offensive end.