After originally being drafted in the second round by the Chicago Bulls in 1990, Toni Kukoc did not immediately see action in the NBA. He spent the first three years playing in Europe. There was no clarity on when he would play his first official NBA game.
The chance to play alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen was a rare opportunity for the Croatian native. However, the Bulls needed to pitch in something more if they wanted to have Europe’s best player on their roster at the time. However, Chicago needed to define what role Toni would have with the team.
“He's not a prima donna. He doesn't have to be the main guy. He already understands, obviously, there are two or three players there who have been there for a long time,” Luciano Capicchioni, Kukoc’s agent said via the New York Times at the time.
Taking no chances
Capicchioni's concerns for his client were understandable. Considering the Croatian star was doing well in Italy, jumping to the NBA was risky. That included how Kukoc would be utilized and fit into Phil Jackson's system.
“If there are any doubts on their part on how he fits in, then there is no basis for us coming,” Kukoc’s agent added.
Kukoc was a bit torn at the time. His Italian team, Benetton Treviso, was waiting for his decision. He was given until June 10 to decide whether he would return to the team or make the jump to the NBA with the Bulls.
Aside from that, there were money matters on the table. Should Kukoc join the Bulls , it would mean rescinding a reported $4.25 million annual contract with Benetton. It was the same deal he agreed to in the 1991-92 season over what Chicago was offering him.
Kukoc was a solid bench contributor
The Croatian Sensation would eventually come to an agreement with the Bulls in 1993. He played his first game with Chicago on November 5, 1993. He came off the bench that season, playing behind Pippen and Horace Grant.
Overall, he had a solid rookie season, which earned him a place on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. However, he needed to adjust to the league’s brand of play – particularly the physicality.
The physical aspect at the time was different. Players were waiting for game officials to blow the whistle, something that did not automatically happen. Hence, Kukoc needed to be ready for those scenarios.
Jackson ordered some players to go hard on Kukoc and give him a taste of the rough style in the big boys' league. Guys like Pippen and Grant would foul the Croatian star relentlessly with no whistle. Kukoc admits that it reached the point where he considered quitting. However, his desire to play in the league stood out, and the 1991 FIBA EuroBasket MVP adapted to the conditions.
Kukoc was able to make the most of his NBA stint with the Bulls, even if he came off the bench. He was a reliable player the Bulls could pluck out when needed, a reason why he won the 1996 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. He could also step up for the Bulls in the clutch moments, showing he could adjust to any scenario with the proper playing minutes.
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