Nikola Mirotic May Even Surpass Toni Kukoc Comparisons for Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls rookie Nikola Mirotic has drawn comparisons to fellow European and former Bull Toni Kukoc. That's understandable, as both players are 6'10" and put together highly-decorated careers overseas before arriving in Chicago.
Their games are quite different, though. While Mirotic is more of a stretch 4, Kukoc was an excellent passer, playing the "point forward" role.
Mirotic was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 23rd overall pick in the 2011 draft. He was immediately dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and then to Chicago on draft night. However, he would remain in Europe and starred for powerhouse Real Madrid. He didn't join the Bulls until this past summer, inking a three-year, $16.6 million deal.
The Montenegrin big man is having a solid first year, averaging 8.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. He's also shooting 43.9 percent overall and 40 percent from three-point land.
Although Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins is probably the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, Mirotic is definitely a legitimate candidate.
USA Today's Adi Joseph wrote, "If it weren't for Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson, Mirotic likely would be running away with the award."
It's pretty difficult to log 30 minutes a night like Wiggins when you're playing with three of the league's top big men.
Before Mirotic logged a single NBA minute, many fans thought he was just a spot-up shooter. However, he has proven so far that he brings a lot more to the table. Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy spoke about this, via Steve Aschburner of NBA.com:
"He's just got a much deeper game than that, Dunleavy said. He can put it on the floor, he can make plays for people, he can get to the basket. Defensively he's pretty good -- blocks shots, gets his hands on a lot of balls. As he gets used to everything a little more, he'll foul less and be a pretty effective defender.
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Mirotic is off to a great start in the Windy City. But is comparing him to a Bulls legend like Kukoc foolish? Kukoc, of course, was an important piece to the team's dynasty during the '90s. Let's look back at his Chicago career.
Remembering Kukoc's Time in Chicago
The Bulls made Kukoc the 29th overall pick of the 1990 draft. And like Mirotic, he stayed overseas for three more years, picking up championships and awards. He finally reported to the Bulls in '93, following the team's first three-peat and Michael Jordan's retirement.
Kukoc was an impact reserve during his first season, as he earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. But more importantly, he helped Scottie Pippen and the gang win 55 games despite Jordan's absence.
He became a starter in '94-95, replacing power forward Horace Grant, who had signed with the Orlando Magic as a free agent. Jordan would return during March of that season.
Kukoc would take home Sixth Man of the Year honors the next year. And he then teamed with Jordan, Pippen and Dennis Rodman to win three straight championships from 1996-1998.
After the dynasty was dismantled, Kukoc became the "Alpha Dog" for the rebuilding Bulls. He put up a career-high 18.8 points per game during the '98-99 campaign, as the team finished with a lousy 13-37 record (strike-shortened season).
He was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers midway through the following season.
Kukoc never made an All-Star appearance. But if he didn't spend his prime playing next to gifted scorers like Jordan and Pippen, he could have made a couple trips to the midseason classic.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Kukoc's game was his ability to play all five positions on the court. That's why he was known as the "European Magic Johnson." He could stick the jumper, drive to the basket, and handled and passed the ball like a point guard.
Mirotic Could Have a Better Career
Without a doubt, Kukoc is one of the greatest role players in league history. Mirotic is obviously a role player right now, but he has the potential to be a star and have a better career than Kukoc.
It's possible that he could develop into a 20-point-per-game scorer down the road. But, of course, he has a long way to go before that materializes. Mirotic, who averages 17.8 minutes per contest, will need more playing time in order to reach "star" status.
Finding more minutes for Mirotic isn't an easy task, especially with quality power forwards Gasol and Gibson on the roster. While coach Tom Thibodeau has used him at small forward for stretches, it's doesn't sound like Mirtoic will stick at stick at that spot, via K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:
"It's hard for him to pick up two positions right now, Tom Thibodeau said. When he does play (small forward), it limits what you can do. It's a very small package of what we're using.
I also don't want to take away from his aggressiveness. He has a distinct advantage at power forward because he can outquick those guys.
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So far, Mirotic has shown flashes of being a special player. He scored 21 points in the November 21 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. And he was sensational during the December 19 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, producing 27 points and shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Will Mirotic end up surpassing Kukoc? No one knows the answer. We'll just have to sit back and watch.
All stats are from Basketball-Reference.com and accurate as of January 3.
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