Toni Kukoc believes European basketball has had a major influence on the modern NBA, particularly through stars such as Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, the Hall of Famer does not believe comparisons with previous generations should ignore how much the game has changed.
Speaking on the Croatian show Sport Nedjeljom, Kukoc pointed to the physical conditions players faced during his era, when traditional big men occupied the paint and interior play was considerably more crowded.
“Back then, the paint was clogged with massive, traditional centers who dominated every single rebound,” he recalled. “They praise Nikola Jokic, and rightfully so, he is a phenomenal basketball genius whose vision completely mesmerizes me. But Jokic is playing in an era where he doesn’t have to face three physical defensive centers every game.”
While emphasizing the differences between eras, Kukoc had significant praise for Jokic and Doncic.
He credited their understanding of basketball to the fundamentals traditionally emphasized in European and Balkan basketball.
“Jokic and Doncic possess high basketball IQ that comes from the European, Balkan school of fundamentals. They have the basics down to an absolute science, and their understanding of the game is far more advanced than the rest of the league,” he continued on the Serbian and Slovenian superstars.
Kukoc also noted that current players have access to advantages that were far less developed during his generation, including modern training methods, nutrition programs and sophisticated recovery systems.
“You have Jokic, Doncic, and Giannis. OK, these are three players that were MVPs, great players,” he asserted. “I will never admit that today’s players are better than Drazen, Dino, Divac, Sabonis, or Marculjonis.”
