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Milwaukee Bucks: Five former players that would have helped this team

By Dylan Carter

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 06: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks works against Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at Fiserv Forum on February 06, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 06: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks works against Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at Fiserv Forum on February 06, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

4. Toni Kukoc

A seasoned veteran by the time he got to Milwaukee, NBA champion Toni Kukoc brings an innate toughness and competitive spirit to a team that would hugely benefit the Bucks this year. His presence off the bench as an auxiliary scorer, spot-up shooter and secondary ball-handler would provide an immense boost over someone like Ersan Ilyasova or Marvin Williams in that second unit.

Most remembered for his presence on the Chicago Bulls, Kukoc’s true ability was suppressed by the immense talent already on his team when he arrived in the United States. The same applies here, but Milwaukee still plays a more team-oriented style that keeps everyone involved frequently, unlike some of those Bulls teams where Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen did the majority of the scoring and initiating.

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Kukoc would benefit from this Bucks team’s standout floor spacing, leaving room for him to slash to the basket or create space for jumpers. The Croatian Sensation a 3-point shooting stroke that he didn’t get to showcase all too often, maxing out at 4.2 triples per game during the 2002-03 season in Milwaukee. Playing with a team like this one might help Kukoc to change the perception of his career considering he was a relatively inefficient scorer.

In eight of his 13 NBA seasons, Kukoc shot worse than 44 percent from the field. For a frontcourt player, those are disappointing shooting percentages. However, the system that head coach Mike Budenholzer has implemented does a great job of putting players in position to be the best versions of themselves. Instead of conforming to Phil Jackson’s triangle, Kukoc could be himself and apply his best qualities to Milwaukee’s elite core of players.

Maybe Kukoc isn’t the difference-maker between this team going from contender to dynasty, but he’s a surefire upgrade over some of the bench pieces in place now.

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