Kukoc has a unique reason for being a fan of Durant’s
Toni Kukoc enjoyed quite a successful career in the NBA, winning three titles with the Chicago Bulls and the 1996 Sixth Man of the Year award. But now, he’s sitting back, retired, watching the next generation of stars pave their own path in the NBA.
Everyone has their favorite players in the NBA, and the legendary Kukoc is no different than the average fan in that regard. He recently picked Kevin Durant as one of his favorite players to watch and explained why.
Toni gives Kevin his due praise
Durant entered the NBA two years after Kukoc retired, but with the Croatian star staying in the Chicago area, he got to see KD up close whenever he came into town. Even early in his career, the Croatian could see just how good KD would be.
Of course, Durant has become one of the most accomplished players in the NBA, racking up many accolades. That isn’t the reason Kukoc likes Kevin, though–it’s his smooth jump shot that makes him so appealing in the eyes of the former Bulls star.
“It surprised me a little because I really hold him, in my opinion, as the easiest, most beautiful shooter as far as I’m concerned,” Toni said for Sport Klub. “He shoots with such ease, it was a pleasure for me to watch this one. There was a game in Chicago, I had some work before, so when I finished those things, you sit down on the court and watch how they warm up. And when he was coming to me, I was the first to say, ‘Look, I think you are for me, at this moment, the best and effortless shooter I have ever seen.'”
Kevin has continued to impress even as he’s gotten older
With his wiry frame and impressive agility, Durant always had the skills to succeed at basketball. It was just a matter of translating those skills to the NBA and staying healthy. For the most part, the former Texas Longhorn has done both of those things exceptionally throughout his career.
All the accolades KD has racked up are due to his ability to score the ball, and his best weapon is his jump shot. Kevin can hit a bevy of tough midrange shots and shoot the ball lights out from behind the three-point arc.
Even with all of these tough shots he takes, Kevin is one of the most efficient scorers in the game today. He’s shot over 50 % from the floor for 11 straight seasons now while also shooting over 40 % on threes in five of those campaigns too.
Amid all of the impressive stuff he manages to do on the court, Kukoc admires his jump-shooting abilities. It’s undoubtedly helped Durant remain as productive as ever on the floor and earned him a big admirer in the ‘Croatian Sensation.’