Current:Home > MyChicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration -Triumph Financial Guides
Chicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration
View
Date:2025-04-12 11:49:11
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! (2)
Related
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- What cars are being discontinued? List of models that won't make it to 2024
- Cheaper eggs and gas lead inflation lower in May, but higher prices pop up elsewhere
- Mega Millions jackpot rises to $820 million, fifth-largest ever: What you need to know
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Inside Clean Energy: The Idea of Energy Efficiency Needs to Be Reinvented
- Exxon’s Long-Shot Embrace of Carbon Capture in the Houston Area Just Got Massive Support from Congress
- Sony and Marvel and the Amazing Spider-Man Films Rights Saga
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Why Danielle Jonas Sometimes Feels Less Than Around Sisters-in-Law Priyanka Chopra and Sophie Turner
Ranking
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- YouTube will no longer take down false claims about U.S. elections
- Georgia is becoming a hub for electric vehicle production. Just don't mention climate
- 'It's gonna be a hot labor summer' — unionized workers show up for striking writers
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Hollywood writers still going strong, a month after strike began
- America is going through an oil boom — and this time it's different
- Kylie Jenner’s Recent Photos of Son Aire Are So Adorable They’ll Blow You Away
Recommendation
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
Powering Electric Cars: the Race to Mine Lithium in America’s Backyard
Hollywood writers still going strong, a month after strike began
Warming Trends: A Comedy With Solar Themes, a Greener Cryptocurrency and the Underestimated Climate Supermajority
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Scientists Say Pakistan’s Extreme Rains Were Intensified by Global Warming
Save 40% On Top-Rated Mascaras From Tarte, Lancôme, It Cosmetics, Urban Decay, Too Faced, and More
Inside Clean Energy: Navigating the U.S. Solar Industry’s Spring of Discontent