The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Beyond the Legends: Five Forgotten Faces in Philadelphia 76ers History

By Erick Klambara

Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Toni Kukoc

8 May 2000: Toni Kukoc #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers stands on the court during NBA Playoff Round Two Game against the Indiana Pacers at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the 76ers 103-97. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
8 May 2000: Toni Kukoc #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers stands on the court during NBA Playoff Round Two Game against the Indiana Pacers at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the 76ers 103-97. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /

Toni Kukoc is best known as one of the first established European stars to play in the NBA. Kukoc was drafted in the second round by the Chicago Bulls in 1990 and officially reported to the team in 1993 after his contract in Europe came to a close. A 3-time champion with the Bulls, Kukoc spent the first seven seasons of his career in Chicago.

The Bulls dynasty came to an end before the 1998-1999 season when Michael Jordan retired and Scottie Pippen was traded to the Houston Rockets. Kukoc remained with the team for two more seasons until he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a three-team deal in 2000. He played just 80 games for the team, averaging 9.8 points per game across two seasons. His versatility and championship pedigree were assets to the team during that period.

Kukoc, however, was not able to put his championship pedigree on display as he was traded to the Hawks during the 2001 season, a campaign that saw the Sixers advance to the NBA Finals before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. He went on to play five more seasons before retiring after the 2006 season. After retiring from the NBA, Kukoc became a special advisor for Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf in 2015, a position that he still holds today.

While these five players may not have achieved the same level of fame as some of the Philadelphia 76ers legends, they all played a part in shaping the team’s story. Their stints were short lived but they put it all on the line each and every night in front of the Philly crowd and will forever be a part of the iconic franchise’s history.