"The Waiter" - A Toni Kukoč Story | Chicago Bulls | Kukoč's role in the Last Dance and more!
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The last shot that Toni hit against the Knicks -- when Pippen refused to take the floor -- is one of the greatest moments ever.
That part of The Last Dance was really good, I liked that Pippen apologised and accepted that he was wrong.
I remember as a Knicks fan, once I saw him play, we were doomed. Jordan and Pippen were enough. Adding Rodman was a bigger problem for other teams,Knicks were used to Rodman. But this guy was just something nobody was ready for. He killed us a few times. The other guy who gets no love is Longley, he was just another center, but dude was always coming up with clutch plays, rebounds,passes, taking fouls, flops, just played his talents to the max and found ways to do damage. Jordan was the goat,but he had more help than people realize, if you saw the games, you know.
@@ericbutler739Facts. Both 3 peat teams had some amazing role players who glued in on their role. GSW reminds me a lot of them as far as the understanding of their roles
I think Tex Winters and his triangle offense was big reason why guys like Longley were able to come in an contribute the way they did. Having such a system based equal opportunity offense really changed the course of history for the Chicago Bulls @@ericbutler739
But this egos destroy teams,bands,families,friendships,even empires
Toni deserves his number up in the rafters of the United Center.
What’s going on with the franchise? Why not retire his number? Unreal. This guy is one of the best international players of all time. He wore a Bulls jersey, retire that thing!
Horace Grant and Rodman should be there also
If Artis Gilmore is not up there, nobody should be up there other than number 4, 10, 33, and 23
@@JoseOrtiz-fc7mj It should be for sure, I think now that he's finally in the HOF (should've been in there long ago IMO), it'll happen.
True. But frankly I no longer see the honor in Bulls rafters. With the exception of the MJ era, the Bulls have been a utter disgrace of a organization. That organization owes everything to MJ, Pip, Kukoc, Jackson etc. The Bulls will never be a dynasty again. Maybe one ring every 30 years if lucky but never a dynasty ever again.
"I'm assuming I left some mark in this game of basketball. I did something right."
Says the guy who was a member of both the team that was voted the best European team of 20th century and the best team that basketball has seen so far. Well, no shit you did something right. Thank you for all the good times, Toni.
He's just a humble guy, credit to him.
HOFer, offensive puzzle and a predecessor for guys like KD.
Kukoc is underrated as much as he is humble like Magic.
Which was the European team? Yugoslavia or Jugoplastika?
@@marilyncatterall402 Jugoplastika or KK Split as the name was changed. It was some kind of a poll conducted by FIBA. I don't think it's an official title but still, the way they played in the late 80s sure makes a strong case for them to have it.
I couldn't agree more. This is an upstanding classy guy!
The thing about Kukoc is that you can insert him in any team at any era and he would always stand out as one of the best of that team...
He's by far above and beyond the best 6th man any team could hope for.
This is not true. Kukoc is good but not that good.
@@vamoneygroupoh yeah?😂
Toni was the first version on Dirk. A near 7 footer that could shoot, dribble, pass. A true revolutionary in the game. I love the waiter!
One of the most universal players ever.
3x European champion in a row and 3x NBA champion in a row. Record that will hold forever.
World champion and meny(much) more medals in both country he represented
Tony always looks like a decent guy. Thanks for the Great memories in the 90s.
Still disappointed that Toni didn't have a bigger part in the last dance. It's was great don't get me wrong but Toni played a big part for us during MJ retirement and holding the team with scottie during those 2 years. Then to come as a strong 6th man, 3rd scorer and all around play helped us
Yeah your right
Wasnt ECF v Indiana a big part of TLD? I believe Kerr and Kukoc were the highlights of the gm 7 part? No?
@@meg-k-waldren I terms of having a part. Of course we got MJ, Pip n rod got a segment.
Third in scoring and 2nd in assists
@@markomarkovic5729 I kno the stats. 6th man as well. I'm just talking as the documentary went, they didn't talk about him more than they did with MJ, pippen contract, Rodman wild n Vegas trip. They could've showcase Toni more and how his play when MJ gone really factored in with Pippen. I mean, Phil trusted toni in clutch time
Imagine being so good that Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen argue about whose going to guard you
4
isnt because of that, was about Mr Krauss caring more about an outsider.
Imagine to be KD's role model
His skill level had absolutely nothin to do with that....
It was to get back at Jerry but Toni was definitely talented
I've been waiting on the Toni Kukoc story. He doesn't get nearly enough recognition on the second three peat squads. They don't win either game 7 against Indiana or Game 6 in Utah in 98 without him.
100% man only real fans know
Mj my goat but basketball is a team sport cant do it by yourself. Bulls had a elite roster even in todays nba
Spot on, also the Seatle series
@@Granny23457 Poor Kemp never recovered from that final, Toni destroying him offensively and Rodman torching him defensively. Jordan said it best, We can argue who is GOAT, but Bulls 95-96 is GOAT team.
98 Finals was mostly Kukoc and MJ. Pippen was hurt in the end, Rodman was not the same guy. Only two guys could score in game 6, but that was enough.
He was waaaaay ahead of his time.
Tony is a great person and a basketball player! Love that he is from Croatia, as I really like that country and people there!!! Me, my wife and kids have been going for summer vacations there for 3-4 years now... 👍
My Mom loves Croatian food! And, she's from Japan! Hope you and your wife and kids get to eat some genuine Croatian pizza and pasta!
Bulls could roll with any team, any era because of Kukoc.
I'm 40 yrs old and grew up during the Bulls Dynasty with Michael and Scottie but Toni was and will always be my favorite Bull of all time. Sam Smith said he's the most underrated player of all time, cant agree more...was a great ball player and ultimate teammate...he could have averaged 25pg a game easily...and been a multiple all star...but he just wanted to win...im so happy for all these accolades now! #7❤
That's two of us
I’m 39, I grew up in Split, Croatia watching Toni Kukoc playing since I was 6, 7 yrs old kid. He was the reason that I started to play basketball at that time. One of the most underrated non-American basketball players.
underrated? nope, he's ranked accordingly in history......underrated would be Drazen Petrovic.
You shouldve seen him in europe or when he played for Yugoslavia and later Croatia, what a player, not only athletic but precision from 3point, cluth shoot er, better than Scottie shooter
@@tomislavbalic2811 I was a youngster Barcelona supporter back then. I remember the 1st Eurolegue Split won very vividly. In the semifinal game against us, no one was betting for your team to win the cup, but... damn! That game I saw a perfectly oiled young team machine, and realized Split gonna dominate Europe in the next years. That team was a joy to watch! Great team play, constant movement, change of positions. One of the best European teams I've seen.
Nobody should have anything bad to say about Toni. Most humble player of all time. Well deserve HOF
It is so inspiring how humble and classy is this great player 👏
Yeah. I love the low profile people being successful by doing the job leaving their egos out in order to assume a role and become a master of their craft. Michael Jordan needed the right mates to acomplished what he did and what an honor for players like Kukoc to be there to be part of the history.
That's the Yugoslav basketball school that continues today in the respective countries after the breakup of Yugoslavia, it's not just the basketball, being humble and classy is more impactful than being excellent player and dickhead of the court... Jokic is same, humble and classy
I remember like it was yesterday when the Bulls were in trouble, here comes Tony burying 3s.
A legend. I never missed watching a Bulls game back then, and Toni played an important part in those championship years. The Waiter was always servin up some tasty dishes.
Many Croats also never missed a Bulls game back then ❣️
I was just a punk kid living in Utah back in the day when Chicago was the destroyer of dreams 💥💨 But for me, there was something about Toni Kukoč that just hit my heart in a soft spot. Way to go Toni, in the flurry of all of the greatness on the court during those days, you're the one who got this young punk kids attention. You are more than just a champion, you are an ambassador...The game was better with you as a part of it. Thank you 🙏🏼
👏
What pizza place gave MJ food poisoning?
@@Routes_there_and_back_again 😂 I heard about that... MJ never said where the pizza was from, I think it was random. I thought I read security for the teams handle those types of orders or requests and it's always anonymous. Regardless of the circumstances, the Bulls were unstoppable and it was a great moment in history to be a part of even if we didn't walk away with the trophy 🙏🏼
Those 97-98 Finals back and forth Utah-Chicago will always live in my childhood memories
@@Routes_there_and_back_again Those kinds of transactions are made anonymously and by authorized / security personnel within each team's organization. You'll have to ask the Bulls. With that said, I've been told no vendors would have known who they were preparing food for.
Toni Kukoc is a Bulls legend he really helped the Bulls win
Toni Kukoč, the legend of world basketball! His list of achievements is staggering, one of the best who ever played the game! I was in high school here in Croatia when he was destroying the Yugoslav and European leagues. I loved MJ and Bulls and couldn't believe when he ended up in the Bulls, didn't miss a single game that was on TV! Those were the days and years, our legend Toni playing with the GOAT, pure magic! Unfortunately he is terribly underrated by the American fans who have no idea what he accomplished outside of the NBA. And even in the NBA he would be an all star level player if he didn't play for the MJ's team. There's no way he would come from the bench if he played for any other team, he would be a stater anywhere else, but he sacrificed for the team and made huge impact even from the bench.
igro je u drugim nba timovima nakon bullsa i nije se nesto proslavio
@@dejanjuhanovski9504 He was over 30 years old then.
Toni is in the top 50 most skilled players to ever live.
Top 20 best ever players
He deserved the HOF 20 years ago! Glad "they" finally acknowledged true Greatness! Congrats Toni!
As a fan since 96, can't help but celebrate for him. He's literally living the life. Enjoying early retirement, wonderful family, kids seem decent, world champion, colleagues and bosses have great words for him and now both Euro and Naismith HOF. Congratulations!!!
The Waiter, or "The Pink Panther" how we called him back here in Croatia,when he was young,tall and slimmy. He deserves that Bulls retire his number 7. We need that!
Oh man! I was a youngster Barcelona supporter back then. I remember the 1st Eurolegue Split won very vividly. In the semifinal game against us, no one was betting for your team to win the cup, but... damn! That game I saw a perfectly oiled young team machine, and realized Split gonna dominate Europe in the next years. That team was a joy to watch! Great team play, constant movement, change of positions. One of the best European teams I've seen.
@@Gerclun that team (Jugoplastika-Pop84) from Split that took Euroleague 3 times in row was spectacular! "European Lakers" how people called them! I had 12 years back then,when they won their 1st Euroleague title...and now i am bball coach. Greetings from Croatia my friend✌
and he was having that number on jersey as hommage to his favourite Hajduk Split player, Slaviša Žungul.
Totally insane guy, one of the best football players in the peak of his career emmigrates to USA to play futsal lmao. AND, on top of that he fucking NAILS it lmao, altrough its completely different sport, no matter similarities. One of the BEST futsal players in US history
He should never have gained weight. Jackson´s fault.
Kukoc played all 5 positions with class..
Toni Kukoc in today's NBA is League MVP!!
After MJ and Scottie, Toni was my favourite player.. He made some iconic shots for the Bulls to become 3 x Champions!! 👏🏽👏🏽
Which ones!! There were too many 🤣
he was too better than scotie
That´s what they sometimes forget. They always talk about the duo MJ & SP instead of talking about the trio MJ & SP & TK. That´s why "The last dance" ended up the way it did concerning Toni´s involvment in the film. Still not giving him 100% respect. That´s my humble opinion.
Congratulations to my compatriot Toni Kukoc for entering into Hall of Fame and making history with Chicago Bulls, my favourite basketball team ever since I started following NBA in 1996, and I'd like to greet all Bulls fans in USA and all over the world, may God bless you all, thank you. From Croatia with all my heart : GO BULLS !!
👌👌
Your enthusiasm is awesome. Take care sir.
I enjoyed Toni's whole career with the BULLS. I live here. Napoleon, can you imagine Toni in today's NBA, think about how frightening that would be. You are from Toni's birth place, I'm from his adopted home. Yes, he belongs to Chicago now too. We're like that here. He is home in either place.
Side note: Anyone noticed how Steve Kerr gave trusted inputs to both MJ's TLD memoir and this? No drama, no negativity, just good vibes from the one who won NBA Championships both as a player and a coach.
Steve is a boss. The system he created with the Warriors is a thing of beauty. Once he retires from coaching that 2nd threepeat Bulls team will have had 6 hall of famers on it - MJ, Scottie, Dennis, Toni, Phil and Steve.
Kerr is very smart but very like-able teammate.. he played with legends and won Championships and coached Championships.. his dad was a scholar and a head of a school i think .. unfortunately he was murdered by angry people
Because he never was a negative person. He is propably the nicest guy in the league, and was as a player, even tho Michael tried to make him mad every time 😂
@@markcarey67 without Kerr warriors wouldn’t be in this position
@@eddiebuckets3697 Kerr was essential for both franchises to be able to win some rings
Toni was and still is one of the best basketball players. Great documentary. He waited too long for his HOF. Bravo Toni - still a role model for young basketball players in Croatia and Slovenia 🇸🇮 Respect ✊
He was the "Waiter" after all. LOL.
He was Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić in one person so much time ago when European players were underestimated. In today's game he would be superstar and franchise player. In one hand it's too bad he was born "too early", but in other he was one of the pioneers and that is certainly something to be proud of. Tonija svaki pravi ljubitelj košarke voli i cijeni, a to nije mala stvar.
Couldnt agree more, regarding the combo between Luka and Jokic
I Love and admire Kukoć, but I would give my right leg to be able to see what would Dražen achieve. Of course, Draž can't play all round as Kuki, but his passion, work and energy ...
I love Kukoc but he’s the one & only. No comparison to whoever.
If Toni playted a later generation he would have been Dirks level or better. I remember Chicago made him gain a lot of weight and forced him to play down low when he came over. NBA was not ready for tall, lanky but skilled European guys.
He was born at the perfect "time". Without him the Bulls don't have a dynasty and Jordan might not be as legendary as he is today
Super player and all-around good guy. The Bulls were very lucky to have him.
💯
Toni Kukoc is pure legend! I have loved this guy since the 90’s and I’m 35 now. His versatility and the way he sees the court should bring joy and never be forgotten by hoops lovers.
Completely agree! 😉🙂😎
I watched Toni winning European Championships with Jugoplastika,NBA rings with Bulls and all I can say he is ultimate team player through his entire career.Winning hampiuonships was all it mattered,part of his DNA.
What a player, what a class.
agree!
too bad he was born early. if he is playing at this era, luca doncic & nikola jokic will just be tiny little footnotes on his epic ass😊
last game of Yugoslav championship, spring '91, Civil War is starting - Toni - standing ovation in Belgrade - tekma ko tekma - 12 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 7 steals, 5 blocks - out with 5 minutes to play... špica drugovi, špica...
Didn't know he made the HOF. That's awesome. Always loved his game. He took his lumps in '92. Went home, worked on his game and had a HOF career.
The croation sensation! Well deserved going in the HOF this year. On of our greatest euopean players ever. He was the perfect fit for the second three peat. And yes, Phil was wright to put the ball in his hand in clutch moments when MJ wasn`t there. Toni was clutch all his career..
He has the record of most game winners as a rookie (5) 🔥 came into the league clutch and left clutch 🔥
That 94 Bulls Team was one questionable call away from the finals. He did not fill MJ shoes but kept the Bulls in the game. Losing Grant and Cartwright really took toll on the front line the next year.
Big Scottie, I love your energy. No doubt that when they speak about the greatest ever your name is up there. You were a very, very bad man on the court !
He looks 10 years older than he his.
Scottie Pipen, MASTER of Deffance and Offense! I love your play style. You guys menage to stop our top player Kukuč in Barcelona 92, and thats not easy task to do.
This was fantastic. Toni was a hell of a player.
Love Toni man...One of my favorite players I watched. Man we were spoiled. Thanks for the memories #7!
As a Croat i am so proud of Toni, not just for the things he did in the basketball game, im proud to se how good of a men he is, and how everyone in the states respect him!
Toni you are great!
Mnogo dobar lik, pozdrav iz Srbije
Toni is the most loved ex Yu basketball player in all ex Yu countries. I don't say he is the best (although he is in the very top between many excelent ex yu players) but fans from Belgrade to Ljubljana, from Sarajevo, Podgorica, Skoplje... loved him most.
Kuki i Jugoplastika i na klupi šjor Maljković, to je bilo vreme...
What a great player and perfect compliment to MJ and Scottie. I don't believe there is anyone who could have played that role better. An absolute pleasure to watch. Thank you Toni!
AMAZING player, When I was younger and playing Ball, in London, for Brixton, Crystel Palace and my High School, Toni was the Player I was looking up too! I am glad the Bulls made this Doc about him! AWESOME!!!
It’s about damn time people start showing some love to “the waiter” Toni Kukoc. Some of his accolades achieved over his career are one of a kind. One of the greatest international players of all time. If Toni had his own team and or even if he played his natural position in his early prime years which was a facilitator and ball handler he could of easily averaged 20+PPG, 7 AST, 7 RBD easily.. the man was way ahead of his time. His game was something not seen before, can play all 5 positions.. could do everything on the court shoot, pass, dribble there was nothing he couldn’t do and excel at it. Congratulations on the HOF induction to one of My favourite players growing up 🇭🇷❤️ Bulls Legend, Croatian Legend..
You forgot something. Toni's NASTY first step. I watched his whole career. If he got 8" of space on you, he was "open"!
If toni played in todays game he'd probably be like 24 5 and 9 with lots of defensive stats and turnovers. He wouldn't be able to board over bigger 3s and 4s but he was too smooth for most fowards
I think you said it all.
@@curtisfranzen986 2005
@@curtisfranzen986 Dodgers
Toni Kukoc best basketball player from Europe , what a human . Thank you Toni , so proud that we are born and lived in same city , you are pride of Split basketball . No7 for life
If you were to tell Toni Kukoc that he would correct you and say Drazan Petrovic was... and Toni would be right!
@@miri9885 Drazen was Mozart of basketball . Legend and best shooter of all time , but Tony was all around player .
@@MrLushido at 6-11 to 6-5 allowed Tony to do more on the court no question. However Drazan showed the world what he was about when he dominated the dream team in the Olympics. Big players play big on the biggest stage. Drazan stepped up against the best pipen nor jordan could stop himj, Tony who I admire and respect greatly did not... His all around skills meant nothing when it mattered the most for his country. He later played well for the Bulls though. Drazan never got that opportunity with his life being cut short before his prime. So we never got to see him in his prime, like we seen Tony...
Dirk!
@@cezz1105 What's 'Dirk'?
This was amazing. Toni was an unbelievable contributor and HOFer.
In this modern nba this dude would have shined and been a multiple time all star
A legend that was just in the NBA before his time. No wonder he was KD's favorite Bull💪🏻
The key words are "before his time."
Man in those days ex Yu Basketball was just rule Europe. I remember playing with guys that play in a regular national league and after training with their club they just go and play street ball. Everyone was just addicted.
Hoop day and night...Those ware the days...
I watched Toni since his teenage beginnings at Jugoplastika. He is the best player outside of US ever.
Give the man his respect Toni Kukoc was a beast.
My 6th man second to none, playing with MJ and SP and still do what you do and earn their respect is insane
Kukoc was, by far, the best player MJ ever played with.
Jordan would have never won any rings without two of the best all around players ever (Pippen and KuKoc) as his teammates.
Chicago will Always Love Kukoc💯 Thank You Toni🌹
✶ ✶ ✶ ✶
One and only Pink Panther. Kukoč is a legend
Christmas 1985. Real Madrid basketball holds his traditional Christmas tournament. I was there. One of the teams invited that year was the Yugoslavian National Team, coached by late legend Krešimir Ćosić. Thre were a few guys nobody had heard of on that team, or at least they were not known internationally. A 19 year old Žarko Paspalj, and 17 year olds, Vlade Divac and Toni Kukoc. Drazen Petrovic was also there, as well as Stojan Vrankovic. In fact, both of them showed up late, and the game had already started. Drazen was already a superstar in Europe, but we did not know we were witnessing the birth of some other legends.
Hey Toni, if you are reading this, I miss you on the court. Your fan since 1996 from Estonia.
Can finally say Hall of Famer Toni Kukoc. Bout time.
Retire his jersey🥰🥰🥰!!! Greetings from croatia 🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷
Tears in my eyes
One of the greatest of all time!
Toni was a class act on and off the court. He could have been a superstar on just about any other team. Instead, he made it about the team and not himself, and became a major role player on 3 championship teams. My hat's off to you, Toni. A role model we all can look up to.
Toni was so smooth overall, his passing was underrated.
i remember my sister only cheers for kukoc when we were watching bulls winning championships cause hes handsome lol
Drazen Petrovic & Toni Kukoc are legends in ex.Yugoslavia, the whole Yugoslavia just loved them.
31 points vs lakers in 97-98, great performance for Toni
One of the legends of the 90s chicago bulls
If this man played today he would be a perennial all star and potential MVP
Pink Panter, Kuki (pronounced as in cookie) - how many of you Americans know these were the nicknames Kukoc got while playing in Europe. Being part of the same generation (he's 5 months older than myself) it was real pleasure watching him gorw since his first steps in Yugoplastika until his glory days with Chicago Bulls. Hvala na svemu Kuki!
Another thing I love about Toni is he isn’t flashy like Michael or Scottie if you see him he would love to take a photo with you same with bill Wellington I met bill a few weeks ago and was starstruck but Toni is a cool as man that somebody I’d love to meet
They could of made a documentary on its own of just tonis Legendary international career… a list of achievements a mile long 🔥
He has a lot in common with MJ. Both of them were at the top of their game but experienced humility in a similar way. American basketball for Toni and Baseball for Michael. Being the best is fleeting and very difficult.
Toni Kukoc was the fcking man!!!! Absolutely loved his game!
this is so deserved for him, I'm so happy they made this.
My favorite Bull Number 7
Helped changed my game watching Toni play in the 90’s. Had an impact on my passing and shooting back then. Thank you Toni you have left a mark during my youth!
The best European Player of All Time!
With Drazen Petrovic and Dino Radja an absolute joy to witness him play!
No, he is not the best European player! He is god but not the best. Luka and Jokic are much better players, actually Kukoc is not close to them!
@@twinsflamuri pau gasol? dirk notwiski?
If you were to tell Toni Kukoc that he would correct you and say Drazan Petrovic was... and Toni would be right!
@@miri9885 drazen petrovič and zarko paspalj and divac top 3. europa
The greatest bulls player to come out of Croatia.
Amazing player
When Tony played for the Bulls; he was the underdog...Man was I rooting for him😀He became (instantly) one of my favorite athletes in all of sports 👍
I always like Tony. Nice and humble guy.
He was a great player to watch.
Toni Kukoc = " *The Croatian Sensation* "
That's what the local sports broadcasters called him during the Repeat-the-3-Peat days.
Transcendent individual talents with specific roles that played together... from the system, coach, to the players, simply the perfect team, ever.
He absolutely is the most under-rated player of all time because as was mentioned in the film, we never got to see how good he was truly.
Toni was such a phenomenal player. He earned his HOF spot, no question about it.
He is one of the greatest.....legend from Croatia.Respect.
Favorite eruepen player of all time.
What a class act...
Toni is the last of the first wave of great European players to be inducted into the hall of fame. Long overdue.
Thanks Bulls.Love from Croatia.
Please retire no. 7 ;-)
Toni kukoc would have killed with the Sacramento Kings of the early 2000’s
On any team
one of the most underrated, but one of the greatest.
Bill mentioned a correlation between Nikola Jokic and Toni Kukoc. Huge respect to Bill. That statement made my day.
And when Toni hit that shot, it was at that moment Scottie lost his mind. 🥴
Toni was definitely one of my favorites for all he did and how he professionally he was..great guy
Scottie Pippen take notes. Toni just gave you a masterclass in how to show humility. Toni doesn't get nearly enough credit
for those last three rings, yet he handles it all with grace and class.
Scottie Pippen said YEARS AGO TONI was the most underrated and what he meant to Chicago
He watched a game on his wedding night .....he has a great wife
He is legend i have great memories of watching him play in jugoslavia ,..but I wish we seen more of Dražen Petrović that guy was special to,.RIP
Even today Toni would agree Drazan was the greatest European player ever.
one of my fave players growing up. way to go Tony.
What a team!!! I can watch those Bulls and that era 24/7
Great Toni Kukoč!