Tony Kukoc Hails Michael Jordan As The GOAT

In a recent interview with Sport Klub, Toni Kukoc, a former Chicago Bulls player and integral part of their dynasty in the 1990s, expressed his admiration for Michael Jordan and his teammates, while hailing the 5-time MVP as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT).

"Jordan is the best basketball player of all time. There is nothing that can be compared to him. Pippen is a great player. He did a lot of work. I'm sorry to see the state he's in today. Steve Kerr is probably the best "three-pointer" in history."

"When you don't have anyone to pass the ball to, you pass it to Kerr and he hits a 3-pointer. What can I say about Rodman? He got angry with the opposing players when they didn't play well enough, so after the game he rode that exercise bike to tire himself out."

"Even Jordan needed a team to win rings, and the team needed a coach. I think only Phil Jackson could have worked with that group."

When asked about his time with the Chicago Bulls and the greatness of players like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Kukoc left no room for doubt. He unequivocally hailed Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time, emphasizing that there is simply no comparison to his unmatched talent and impact on the game.

Acknowledging the contributions of his teammates, Kukoc spoke highly of Scottie Pippen, recognizing him as a great player who made significant contributions to the team's success. However, he also expressed concern for Pippen's current state, indicating a sense of nostalgia and empathy for his former teammate.

Kukoc also singled out Steve Kerr for his exceptional three-point shooting prowess, labeling him as perhaps the best three-pointer in history. Kerr's ability to knock down crucial shots from beyond the arc provided invaluable support to the team, especially in clutch moments when options were limited.

Reflecting on Dennis Rodman's unique personality and playing style, Kukoc highlighted his intensity and dedication on the court. He recounted instances where Rodman would push himself to exhaustion on the exercise bike after games, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and his willingness to go the extra mile for the team's success.

Ultimately, Kukoc emphasized the importance of teamwork and coaching in achieving success, noting that even Michael Jordan needed a talented roster and a skilled coach to win championships. In his view, Phil Jackson was the ideal coach to lead their group of talented individuals, highlighting his role in orchestrating the Bulls' dynasty during their dominant era in the NBA.

Toni Kukoc Expresses Disdain For Today's NBA

In the same interview, Toni Kukoc didn't hold back his feelings about the current state of the NBA, expressing clear disdain for what he perceives as detrimental changes to the game.

"Soft! I don't like what the rules have done to basketball. The defensive three seconds changed the game badly. I also don't like the rule about how far the arm has to be extended when making contact with an opposing player. The rules changed basketball and destroyed defense." 

"I understand that the crowd comes to see the players hit the basket, but what's the point of playing in a 250-point game? Jordan scored 50-60 points once in a season and it was a miracle of the game. Now every three or four weeks some player scores 60 points and nobody else gets anything."

"For us, the Bulls, Luka Dončić scored 60 points in one game. Maybe he would have given the same against the Bulls where I played, but at least 50 would have been from free throws, and our six would have gone out because of six personal ones."

Kukoc didn't mince words when asked about his opinion on today's NBA, bluntly stating that he views it as "soft." He attributed this sentiment to various rule changes that have altered the dynamics of basketball, particularly highlighting the impact of defensive rules such as the defensive three seconds and restrictions on physical contact between players.

The former NBA star lamented how these rule changes have negatively affected defense, asserting that they have "destroyed" it. Kukoc bemoaned the shift towards high-scoring games, questioning the purpose of basketball when scores reach excessively high totals like 250 points. He contrasted this with the era of Michael Jordan, where scoring 50-60 points in a game was a rare and remarkable feat, describing it as a "miracle of the game."

Kukoc expressed frustration at the frequency of high-scoring performances in today's NBA, suggesting that they have become commonplace occurrences rather than exceptional achievements. He cited examples of contemporary players routinely scoring 60 points in a single game, contrasting it with Jordan's occasional scoring outbursts.

Reflecting on his own experiences with the Chicago Bulls, Kukoc recalled a game where Luka Doncic scored 60 points against them. However, he speculated that in his era, a significant portion of those points would have been from free throws due to stricter officiating, potentially resulting in key players fouling out of the game.

Overall, Kukoc's comments underscore a nostalgic sentiment for the past era of basketball, characterized by a more physical style of play and a greater emphasis on defensive prowess. He believes that the evolution of NBA rules has shifted the balance of the game in a direction that he finds less appealing and less competitive.