6. Scouted/Drafted Toni Kukoc
Krause took a big risk by selecting Toni Kukoc in the second round of the 1990 NBA Draft. Not only were European players’ NBA ceilings harder to judge against their overseas opponents, there was no guarantee Kukoc would ever leave Europe and come to Chicago.
While Krause feverishly pursued Toni Kukoc in the early ’90s, Jordan and Pippen mocked and scolded him for showing Kukoc more love than the stars that were actively winning the organization championships. In fact, the Bulls’ dynamic duo made a point of harassing and dominating Kukoc when the Dream Team played against Croatia in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
But after Jordan’s first retirement in 1993, Krause finally got Kukoc to come on board. The combo forward earned All-Rookie 2nd Team honors. Kukoc quickly won over the hearts of Bulls fans with his versatile offensive skillset and dorky smile. As Phil Jackson’s first man off the bench, Kukoc gave the Bulls one of the deadliest second units in the NBA. After their historic 72-10 season in 1995-96, Toni won the Sixth Man of the Year award. Jordan and Pippen quickly gained respect and appreciation for the kid they tried to embarrass just a few years earlier. On any nights when either Jordan or Pippen was injured or not playing well, Kukoc picked up the slack.
It’s hard to see the Bulls completing that second threepeat without Kukoc, and there’s no way Kukoc comes to Chicago without Krause.
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