Karl Malone Says Jordan and Pippen Were Obsessed With Shutting Down This Teammate

Karl Malone recalls being surprised by how eager his 1992 Dream Team teammates Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were to shut down Toni Kukoc when they played the Croatian National Team. 

Jordan and Pippen had a contentious relationship with Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krause. Krause had shrewdly drafted Kukoc in the second round of the 1990 draft and attempted to bring him over to the states. 

Malone says of Jordan and Pippen's behavior: 

"You ever watch a lion or a leopard or a cheetah pouncing on their prey? We had to get Michael and Scottie out of the locker room, because they was damn near pulling straws to see who guarded him. Kukoc had no idea."

Kukoc would later join the Bulls and see just what things were like playing with Jordan and Pippen on a daily basis. He remembered:

"You always want to check people that you're bringing in. Are they tough enough physically and mentally? Can they respond when you need them to respond? I don't think they [had] anything against me personally. They're just testing me. And I later realized that Michael does that [to everyone] on a daily basis."

There were certainly bright days ahead for the 3 players. When Kukoc joined the Bulls in 1993, Jordan was retired, though that retirement would only be temporary. Once Jordan returned to the Bulls, the team would capture three more championships, all with Kukoc on the team. Kukoc is a member of both the FIBA and Basketball Halls of Fame.