Toni Kukoc Chat
 Kukoc |
One of the league's most popular international players, and perhaps the first import to enjoy great success at the NBA level, Hawks forward Toni Kukoc is now in his ninth NBA season, as his second in Atlanta. "The Croatian Sensation" has fought injuries this season, and is currently on the injured list with a fractured right wrist. When healthy this year, he has produced whether in a starting or reserve role. He has averaged 10.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 29 games (eight starts).
Acquired in a trade last February from the Philadelphia 76ers, Kukoc made an immediate impact with his versatility as well as his leadership qualities in the Hawks' young locker room. In his 17 games of action with Atlanta last season, Kukoc posted 19.7 points, 6.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds, including two triple-doubles in the span of three games.
Not only does Kukoc possess three NBA championship rings as a member of the Bulls, he also has three European championship rings. He was a three-time European Player of the Year as well. In 1988, Kukoc was a member of the silver-medal winning Yugoslavian Olympic team and earned a second silver medal four years later with the Croatian Olympic team (in 1992). Known in various parts of the world as "Pink Panther," "Alien," "The Spider of Split," "The Waiter," and "Kuki," Kukoc was most commonly known as the "Michael Jordan of Europe" before coming to the NBA to actually play with Jordan. Jordan's first retirement in 1993 put that dream on hold until MJ's return in 1995-96.
Shelby from Broxton, GA: What is your favorite NBA memory?
Toni Kukoc: There are a couple of them, probably the first championship that we won with the Bulls. The season we had a 72-10 record.
Frederick(Ontario): What are the Hawks missing that could propel them as a playoff caliber team?
Toni Kukoc: I think we got everything going on if we can get rid of injuries, it's the big problem this year. We had 5 guys injured for a long time. Ratliff has barely played, Henderson didn't play at all, I'm out for almost 2 months, Davis is out for the season, Crawford is out for the season with a torn ACL. That's what causes the Hawks not to play well. If we can get rid of the injuries and get the team together, we can be pretty good.
Sam (Chicago): Hi Toni!
How does it feel when you play against your former teammates like MJ or Scottie Pippen??
Toni Kukoc: It's a strange feeling because I played with them for seven years and we had a great time winning championships. To see them on the other side in different jerseys, it's kind of strange. You never thought Michael and Scottie would wear other jerseys than the Bulls. We always talk when we play, but it's very strange.
Toronto: Do you think you will ever play in the Olympics again? On the national team?
Toni Kukoc: No. I'm not going to play for my national team anymore. I made that decision like a year ago because all of my generation is kind of out of basketball, most aren't playing anymore. I made a decision it's time for me to move on from the national team and let the young guys come in.
Oroville,Ca: What are your off season hobbies?
Toni Kukoc: Golf, while I'm in the United States. When I go home, I spend most of the time on my boat on the beach, or traveling Italy, and spending the time with family and friends who are at home. And lots of fishing.
Siddik Motala (Sidz): Tony, I'm a young NBA fan which loves basketball. As a kid living away from North Americian sports how did you keep your self motivated that you wanted to be a basketball player ?
Toni Kukoc: Actually, basketball is pretty big where I'm from. Soccer was number one sport in every kid, so soccer was first, but after I grew more than a couple of inches, I switched to basketball. It's fun to practice and play and my friends and I stuck with basketball. After that point, once you realize you have a chance to be good at your sport, you don't need motivation. That's it.
Kaz (Japan): Will you come to see the Croatia soccer team playing in the World Cup in Japan this June ?
Toni Kukoc: Yes I will. Most of the guys on the national team, I've practiced with when I was a young kid around 10, 11 and I know all of them. I hope they repeat the same success they had during the world championship in France. It's going to be fun.
Shelby from Broxton, GA: Toni, After being in Atlanta for almost a year now, how are you enjoying the city?
Toni Kukoc: I like it. The weather is pretty nice. I don't go out too much, but I like it.
Clay Rickard Dallas: Hey Toni,
What do you think about the future of international players and the growth it has made in the NBA?
Toni Kukoc: I think that my generation, if I can call it that, broke the barrier between European basketball and the NBA. We were the generation that actually started to play in the NBA, from that moment, other players coming in have had great success. This year there will be some European players in the All-Star Game which will show they can play with the best of them here in the NBA.
VK: Who is your favourite player in the league?
Toni Kukoc: There are different guys playing different position which are very good, you can't name just one player. Obviously Michael Jordan is the all-time best basketball player. I think Scottie Pippen is the most all-around player. Now I think Shaq is the most dominant.
Tallwill, Canada: Hi Toni, what do you think is the key for good shooting?
Toni Kukoc: A lot of repetition, a lot of practice. It doesn't matter how pretty it looks, as long as it goes in. Practice is the key.
VK: Who came up with your nickname Pink Panther?
Toni Kukoc: I don't really know. I think it was all the way home when my ex-team won their first European Championship.
Elias: Who's the funniest guy on the Hawks?
Toni Kukoc: The trainer, Wally Blaze.
Belgium - Europe: Toni,
how long do you think you'll continue playing? Would you consider coming back to play some seasons in Europe after your NBA career is over?
Toni Kukoc: I don't think I'll play basketball when I'm done with the NBA. I'll see if I can keep myself in shape and not get in serious injuries, I might play another couple of years.
Broadhead(Waterloo): Who are you closest friends with of all the international players currently in the NBA?
Toni Kukoc: Probably my closest friend is the Chicago Bulls scout, Ivica Dukan. We've known each other for a long time, we played together back home. Among the players, I was very close with Vlade before the war occurred. And a couple of other guys that played in the NBA but aren't in the league anymore.
Haris Abbasi (NJ): What does the tatoo on your arm say?
Toni Kukoc: It's a shark in water, it's one of my favorite animals.
Alex Misajlovic (Detroit): Toni,
Which role do you prefer, starting or coming in off the bench?
Toni Kukoc: At this point, it doesn't really matter. When you start a game, you feel the intensity of the game right away. Coming off the bench, you need a little time to pick things up and get used to it. Obviously, everyone wants to start but I really feel it's more important who finishes a game.
Trevor: Did it disapoint you to leave the Sixers?
Toni Kukoc: It wasn't easy, we had the best record in the league and were playing good basketball. At that point, I was disappointed. But it's a business and if the team feels like it will improve by doing trades and such, they're going to do it. And they did.
Granit , Calgary: Hey Toni, what were your impressions on playing with Allen Iverson?
Toni Kukoc: Obviously, he's a good basketball player. He's young and he's going to learn everything. He's a big time competitior, ready to play every night and that's what makes him special.
Oroville,Ca: What kind of music are you into? What artists do you like?
Toni Kukoc: I listen to pretty much anything. Not too much rap, if possible, but everything else is all right. European music, especially Italian.
Toni Kukoc: Thanks for joining me in the chat today.
