#6 When Jordan and Pippen unleashed their full fury
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Never has such an unsuspecting lamb been led to slaughter as Toni Kukoc at the 1992 Olympics. When Kukoc suited up to represent Croatia, he was blissfully unaware that the two Dobermen were licking their chops at the prospect of locking him down.
"I wanted the whole world to see us go face to face," Pippen said. "I would have ordered [Krause] a big-screen TV." he added.
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If you are a professional basketball player in the 90s, the very last thing you want is Michael Jordan baying for your blood. Add to that Scottie Pippen frothing at the mouth to lock you down, and you are in for 4 quarters of hell. As the whistle blew to start the match, Kukoc was at the receiving end of the most tenacious and stifling defense possible at the hands of Jordan and Pippen.
The Bulls' players didn't enjoy the best relationship with the front office. Jerry Krause, in particular, rubbed the players the wrong way by insisting on traveling in the team bus, taking credit for the team's performance, and bizarrely occupying the team toilet before a game. He was nicknamed 'Crumbs' because he got food all over him while eating.
"I'm pretty sure Scottie will take the film and send it to Jerry, really quickly," Jordan said. "I'm sure somewhere, Jerry's watching."
Krause fancied himself a step away from unearthing the next big thing. He doted on Kukoc and was chasing him in a way which rubbed Jordan and Pippen the wrong way. Pippen felt that his contract situation was worsened by the Bulls' pursuit of Kukoc. Hence, the two superstars came into the Olympics looking to show the unsuspecting Kukoc a thing or two.
Bulls had drafted Kukoc in 1990, and Krause held off on re-negotiating Pippen's contract in order to sign Kukoc. Once it was apparent that he would spend more years playing abroad, Pippen's contract was re-negotiated. But the bitter taste lingered.
Later they recalled that they were probably playing against Krause as much as against Kukoc. Kukoc finished the game shooting 2-11 for just 4 points as the USA won 103-70.
