This time, Kukoc passing impresses

Originally published Aug. 9, 1992.

BADALONA, Spain — One American was happy to see Croatia play well Saturday night. His name is Jerry Krause, general manager of the Bulls. Croatia played well because Toni Kukoc played well. And when Kukoc plays well, Krause looks good.

After a dreadful performance against possible future teammates Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in last week’s Olympic preliminary, Kukoc showed flashes of brilliance in Saturday night’s championship game loss to the U.S. Dream Team. Though slow afoot, in need of a weight-training program and lacking defensively, Kukoc passed like a wizard, getting nine assists.

Still, Kukoc seemed to express doubt afterward whether he could play in the NBA. “I have things to learn,” he said. “Playing against (the Dream Team) showed me how good that team is. I won’t know if I can play there until two or three years playing there. At this time, I don’t know.”

Kukoc reiterated he won’t join the Bulls until the 1993-94 season at the earliest. He also said it could be later, depending on talks with Gilberto Benetton, who owns the Italian League team for which Kukoc plays. The 6-9 guard has a personal-services contract with the clothing designer that expires in four years.

One reason Jordan seemed to show an interest in playing Saturday was Kukoc. After criticizing Krause for his courtship of Kukoc - and how it related to Pippen, whose contract situation was put on hold last year because of it - Jordan slowly is developing a respect for Kukoc. As the 23-year-old Croat was flipping slick passes and nailing three-point shots, Jordan would nod his head in approval.

“He said something nice to me,” Kukoc said. “But it is for me only.”

Pippen, with jammed fingers taped on his right hand, was in the starting lineup to guard Kukoc. This time, Kukoc was better prepared for the challenge. With Dream Team players laying off him and the Croats slowing the tempo, he was able to work in a half-court game.

“Maybe in one season with Michael and Scottie, I could get to know how I could do,” Kukoc said.