Michael Jordan Reunites With Former Bulls Champion Teammate

NBA legend Michael Jordan had contentious relationships with many of his peers throughout the years, both friends and adversaries. So much so that his uber-competitive streak in the absence of proper socialization etiquette is often considered one of the hallmarks of his personality.

Perhaps none of Jordan's teammates during his storied career drew his ire quite like Croatian sharpshooter Toni Kukoc, who joined the Bulls in 1993 as a heralded former EuroLeague Final Four MVP. Jordan and teammate Scottie Pippen specifically had it out for Kukoc, on account of what they perceived as unjust favoritism toward the incoming prospect.

"We wanted to go guard him on the bench"

In the 92 Olympics, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen had only heard about Toni Kukoc, the Bulls 1990 draft pick hyped by GM, Jerry Krause, who was still playing overseas. Mike & Scottie weren't having the hype when the Dream Team played… pic.twitter.com/yIKDMhoD3h
— Apex Jones (@ApexJones22) August 17, 2025

Kukoc eventually earned the respect of Jordan and the rest of his teammates, becoming good friends with the player he considered his idol as a young player in Europe. When Kukoc was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, it was Jordan who presented him with the honor alongside longtime Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

Jordan/Kuko — Sep 11, 2021; Springfield, MA, USA; Class of 2021 inductee Toni Kukoc speaks alongside presenters Michael Jordan and Jerry Reinsdorf during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement at MassMutual Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Jordan's 2020 documentary, "The Last Dance," delved into his turbulent relationships with his teammates, specifically Kukoc. Jordan famously became emotional during one of the more memorable sit-downs in the series when discussing how his treatment of his teammates stemmed from his desire to make them winners like himself.

Since retiring, however, Jordan has shown a more affectionate and personable side of himself throughout the years. That was apparent on Friday, as Jordan and Kukoc shared a heartfelt hug and some words when they ran into each other at The Ryder Cup in Farmingdale, N.Y.

Michael Jordan and Toni Kukoc reuinite pic.twitter.com/5PmYu1rWHm
— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) September 26, 2025

Mutual Respect

While Jordan was hard on Kukoc and perhaps jealous of the relationship he had with Bulls general manager Jerry Krause, he revealed in a recent documentary about Kukoc's career that he always had a special respect for Kukoc and that playing with the Croatian was one of the things he was most looking forward to upon his return to the league in 1995 from his first retirement in 1993.

1998 Bulls — June 16, 1998; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls with their six championship trophies. Left to right in the front row are Luc Longley, Toni Kukoc, Ron Harper, Dennis Rodman (leaning back), Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley at a championship rally at Grant Park in Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Anne Ryan-USA TODAY | Anne Ryan-USA TODAY via Imagn Co

“The thing that I respect the most about Toni Kukoc. I retired in 1993. I never spent any time with Toni Kukoc other than playing against him in 1992,” Jordan said. “He showed up at the press conference, and when I was leaving, he literally cried because we never had an opportunity to play.

"That earned my respect and camaraderie ... So when I came back, I was looking forward to playing with him."

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Mutual Respect

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