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TL;DR

Jerry Krause played a pivotal role in building the Chicago Bulls dynasty by assembling a talented roster around Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Notable additions included Toni Kukoc, who brought unique skills to the team, contributing to their innovative approach to basketball.

Key points

Jerry Krause built the Chicago Bulls dynasty.
Michael Jordan was drafted third overall in 1984.
Toni Kukoc was a key addition to the team in 1995.

Mentioned in this story

Chicago BullsJerry KrauseMichael JordanScottie PippenToni KukocSteve KerrDennis Rodman

BOSTON - DECEMBER 18: Toni Kukoc #7 of the Chicago Bulls shoots during a game played on December 18, 1995 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Jerry Krause doesn’t get enough credit for what he did with the Chicago Bulls. Not only did he not make the mistake that Houston and Portland made in not taking Michael Jordan (the Bulls took him at #3 in the 1984 draft), he quickly paired him with Scottie Pippen. For the first three championship teams, the Bulls put guys like Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, and John Paxson around their Dynamic Duo. Jordan, of course, stepped away from basketball after the 1993 championship, but came back in 1995. The team to an extent had already been rebuilt, notably with Grant being traded, but Krause again put together a brilliant group. He still had Pippen, and of course, Jordan was back. But the core of the rotation had been rebuilt, and brilliantly. Chicago brought in shooter Steve Kerr, Aussie big man Luc Longley, Ron Harper, Dennis Rodman, and a player Krause had long coveted, Toni Kukoc. Krause had long celebrated Kukoc, a native of Croatia, to the point where Jordan and Pippen were sick of hearing about him, so they went out of their way when the Dream Team played Croatia in the 1992 Olympics. But Krause wasn’t wrong: Kukoc was great. Not really good. Great. At 6-11, Kukoc had point guard skills, , and he meshed perfectly with that team. You wanted to keep Jordan and Pippen on the court as much as possible, but you could add Rodman, Kukoc, and Harper to almost anyone else on the floor and have possibly the most versatile team in NBA history. That team really did invent positionless basketball, and did it decades before the term was even considered. * to find Blue Healer Auctions* || **

Q&A

What impact did Jerry Krause have on the Chicago Bulls?

Jerry Krause was instrumental in building the Chicago Bulls dynasty by drafting key players like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen and assembling a strong supporting cast.

Who were the key players added to the Bulls after Michael Jordan's return in 1995?

After Michael Jordan's return in 1995, the Bulls added significant players including Toni Kukoc, Steve Kerr, and Dennis Rodman to strengthen their roster.

How did Toni Kukoc contribute to the Chicago Bulls' success?

Toni Kukoc contributed to the Bulls' success with his unique skills as a 6-11 player with point guard abilities, enhancing the team's versatility and playing style.