"There comes a time when you just can't take it anymore" - Toni Kukoc on his decision to retire after 13 NBA years

toni-kukoc

Toni Kukoc is rightfully regarded as one of the best European players in NBA history and shone in the league for over a decade. However, at some point, ‘The Waiter’ had enough.

The intense years competing at the highest level had taken their toll, but there were also other reasons why retirement was a done deal for the Croatian after the 2005-06 season.

“I think it’s time for me to move away from basketball. It was a huge part of my life and gave me pretty much everything I desired, but there comes a time when you just can’t take it anymore,” Kukoc remarked, per ESPN.

From Bulls titles to playoff exile

Kukoc, before joining the Bucks in 2002 for his final NBA stop, enjoyed his most famous tenure in Chicago from 1993 to 2000. Initially, the forward contributed as an outstanding Sixth Man behind Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and others, helping the Bulls win three NBA championships.

As the dynasty gradually fell apart in 1998, ‘The Waiter’ was finally able to step up as the team’s leading figure, leading the now weakened roster in points, assists, and rebounds. These performances suggested that the 6’10’’ player would continue to excel when he joined the Sixers at the turn of the century. However, the move instead marked the beginning of an unprecedented period of lack of success for Kukoc, which would continue through his final NBA years.

“I had been in the playoffs every year, and I thought it was going to continue,” Toni once said. “But then, a month and a half before the end of the season, they trade me to Atlanta.”

The ‘Croatian Sensation’ called it quits

After underwhelming stints in Philly and Atlanta, the ‘Croatian Sensation’ joined the Bucks, where he exclusively came off the bench. In the year before his statements, he played 65 games, averaging 16 minutes, 4.9 points, and 2.3 rebounds per game. Despite posting such respectable stats and also adding valuable vet presence, the 38-year-old still wanted to call it quits.

“I can still play…but I don’t need it anymore. I always felt like I needed to play basketball. Right now, it’s not my most desirable thing anymore,” Toni told the press.

Hypothetically, there was interest from “either Chicago or Milwaukee,” as the player mentioned. However, these options did not fit into Kukoc’s life or sports career plans.

While the Bucks wanted to rebuild with a “young team”, the Bulls were in need of a “big guy”, rather than a forward like himself. Additionally, the Chicago-based Kukoc remarked that he simply did not want to play so far away from home.

Ultimately, the 1996 6MOY winner stated that he wouldn’t miss basketball too much if this was truly the end of his illustrious career. In retrospect, it did indeed mark the final chapter. However, Kukoc had already found a great alternative athletic pursuit, remarking that he would “rather play golf” than continue in the league.