Current:Home > MyChicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration -MoneyBase
Chicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:44:56
The Chicago Bulls celebrated their inaugural Ring of Honor class during Friday night's game against the Golden State Warriors. But one man who was honored drew the ire of the United Center crowd in an unfortunate scene: late general manager Jerry Krause.
Krause, who died in 2017 at the age of 77, was the longtime general manager of the Bulls, from 1985-2003. He built around Michael Jordan and turned the Bulls into six-time NBA champions. He collected two Executive of the Year awards (1988, 1996) along the way and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame shortly after his death. He also oversaw the dynasty's undoing, as documented (without his perspective) in "The Last Dance."
That fact, presumably, is what led to audible boos when he was honored during the halftime ceremony. His wife Thelma, who was representing him, appeared to be in tears over the poor reception.
"What we witnessed today, when Jerry Krause's name was called and the people that booed Jerry Krause and his widow, who was accepting this honor for him — it was the worst thing I've ever seen in my life," Bulls analyst Stacey King, a member of Chicago's first three title teams, said on the broadcast.
"I hurt for that lady. Brought her to tears. Whoever booed her in this arena should be ashamed of themselves," King continued. "That's not Chicago. That's New York. Philly. Chicago's not like that. We don't have a reputation of being that way. Whether you like Jerry Krause or not, that man brought six championships here. He didn't shoot a basket, nor did he get a rebound, but he put six titles up (in the rafters). There's a lot of teams don't even have one (championship).
"That was really classless. I was disappointed in the people that booed. It was a sad thing."
King is right. Though the breakup of the Bulls dynasty may have been premature and Krause failed to build a winner again before he left in 2003, citing health problems, by pretty much any measure, he's one of the great executives in league history. Only three other franchises have collected more rings than the Bulls' six: The Warriors (7), Lakers (17) and Celtics (17).
Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc, Artis Gilmore, Bob Love, Chet Walker, Jerry Sloan, Phil Jackson, Tex Winter, Dick Klein and Johnny "Red" Kerr rounded out the inaugural Ring of Honor class. The 1995-96 Bulls were also honored. That team, which went 72-10 and won the NBA title, was, of course, built by Krause.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, a member of that 1995-96 team, said he did not hear the boos for Krause as he was back in the locker room with his team. But Kerr didn't hold back, calling the booing fans' actions "shameful."
"It's absolutely shameful," Kerr said. "I cannot believe ... I'm devastated for Thelma and for the Krause family. What can we possibly be thinking?
"...I'm so disappointed in the fans — and I want to be specific, because I know there were lots of fans I'm sure who did not boo. But those who booed, they should be ashamed."
veryGood! (2957)
Related
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot prize up for grabs
- Book excerpt: Prequel by Rachel Maddow
- An Egyptian appeals court upholds a 6-month sentence against a fierce government critic
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- The Shocking Saga of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and the Murder of Her Mother
- A concert film of Beyonce's Renaissance World Tour is coming to theaters
- An app shows how ancient Greek sites looked thousands of years ago. It’s a glimpse of future tech
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Woman opens fire in Connecticut police department lobby, prompting exchange of gunfire with officer between bullet-proof glass
Ranking
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Caught on tape: Female crime scene investigator targeted for execution
- Why beating Texas this year is so important to Oklahoma and coach Brent Venables
- Deaf truck driver awarded $36M by a jury for discrimination
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Biden faces more criticism about the US-Mexico border, one of his biggest problems heading into 2024
- Officers shoot and kill armed man in pickup truck outside Los Angeles shopping center, police say
- Texas vs. Oklahoma live updates: Everything you need to know about Red River Rivalry
Recommendation
Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
A 5.9-magnitude earthquake shakes southern Mexico but without immediate reports of damage
Migrating Venezuelans undeterred by US plan to resume deportation flights
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper to lead economic development trip to Tokyo
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
Authorities probe crash involving Sen. Bob Menendez's wife
Wildlife photographers' funniest photos showcased in global competition: See finalists
Biden faces more criticism about the US-Mexico border, one of his biggest problems heading into 2024