“When he walks in, the entire arena stands up and pays their respects” – Vucevic highlights the legacy Kukoc left in Chicago originally appeared on Basketball Network.
When Nikola Vucevic got traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2021 after nine seasons with the Orlando Magic, many immediately drew comparisons to the legendary Toni Kukoc. After 44 games that season in a Magic jersey, the Montenegrin center was averaging a career-high 24.5 points along with 11.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists, shooting an incredible 40.8 percent beyond the arc as a center.
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Just a season earlier, he had finished the playoffs averaging 28.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists while posting elite 50/40/90 shooting splits. Vucevic was in his prime, and the Bulls were building a new core around him, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. If DeRozan’s midrange game reminded many of Michael Jordan, then Vucevic would definitely be seen as a sort of reincarnation of Kukoc. Beyond both coming from the Balkans, they shared a high basketball IQ, great court vision and a smooth outside shot.
Vucevic emphasized just how strong Kukoc’s presence still is
In an interview with Index.hr, Nikola said he doesn’t have much contact with Toni since the Croatian legend lives outside of Chicago. However, he emphasized just how strong Kukoc’s presence still is.
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“Enormous, unimaginably big,” he said. “In Bulls history, Toni is definitely among the top five. He was a crucial part of the greatest era in Chicago Bulls history. He won three championships and in all of them, he had an invaluable role. People in Chicago still appreciate him a lot. He often comes to our games and practices.”
“When he comes, he’s the biggest star in the whole arena. It’s been more than 20 years since he played there, and when he walks in, the entire arena stands up and pays their respects. What makes me happy is that even kids who never saw him play adore him. Everyone knows who Toni Kukoc is. Along with Jordan and Pippen, I’d say Toni is the biggest Bulls star.”
Kukoc’s ranking is up for debate
Now, whether Kukoc really ranks as the biggest Bull after Scottie Pippen and Jordan is up for debate. Dennis Rodman will always be in the conversation thanks to his eccentric style, and many still remember John Paxson’s and Steve Kerr’s game-winners that literally clinched titles. Statistically, Horace Grant was also hugely important.
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The English portal GiveMeSport recently made a list of the greatest Bulls players of all time, where Kukoc ranked only 10th. While that’s still an impressive achievement, it does feel like a bit of a slight toward the three-time NBA champion. Even in The Last Dance documentary, he didn’t get much spotlight. Kukoc himself reflected on the small role he had in the documentary.
“Just one proof of how great Steve Kerr is as a person — he told me he didn’t understand why he was even on that poster and that I should have been there, not him. I think Kerr summed it up best with that one sentence. Still, I really don’t mind that Steve is on that poster because, realistically, he’s the most recognizable name to the younger generation today as the Warriors’ coach. Makes total sense,” Kukoc said.
Kukoc always did his talking on the court
With that statement, Kukoc once again showed how little of an ego he has, despite having every right to one. Toni arrived in Chicago as a three-time European club champion, a multiple medalist with Yugoslavia and Croatia and one of the biggest names in European basketball at the time.
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However, Kukoc understood what was needed for the Bulls to be who they were, stepped aside for Jordan and Pippen and even embraced a bench role. It’s worth noting that during the Bulls’ three-year dominance, he was their top scorer and assist leader behind only MJ and Pip. Kukoc also had the third-highest field goal percentage and was the team’s fourth-best rebounder, and in that stretch, he won the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Kukoc always did his talking on the court, not off it. Regardless of any list, what will remain forever is the legacy that the city of Chicago still cherishes to this day, as Vucevic’s words prove. It’s no small thing what Toni accomplished — something Nikola has come to realize firsthand. Despite his own stellar individual seasons in a Bulls jersey, Vucevic has still remained far from the heights Kukoc reached.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.