Current:Home > MyChicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration -CapitalWay
Chicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration
View
Date:2025-04-17 09:32:31
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! (243)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Much of Florida's Gulf Coast is under an evacuation order – and a king tide could make flooding worse
- Guatemala’s president-elect faces legal challenges that seek to weaken him. Here’s what’s happening
- NFL roster cuts 2023: All of the notable moves leading up to Tuesday's deadline
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- 2 killed when chopper crashes into apartments
- Michael Oher Subpoenas Tuohys' Agents and The Blind Side Filmmakers in Legal Case
- South Korean auto supplier plans $72 million plant in Georgia to build electric vehicle parts
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- A robot to help you order pancakes? IHOP enters the AI game with online order suggestions
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Unclear how many in Lahaina lost lives as Hawaii authorities near the end of their search for dead
- Judge vacates double-murder conviction of a Chicago man; cites evidence supporting innocence
- How K-pop took over the world — as told by one fan who rode the wave
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- A judge told Kansas authorities to destroy electronic copies of newspaper’s files taken during raid
- Family of South Carolina teacher killed by falling utility pole seeks better rural infrastructure
- CBS to honor 'The Price is Right' host Bob Barker with primetime special: How to watch
Recommendation
'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
Wyoming sorority sisters' lawsuit to block transgender member dismissed by judge: The court will not define a 'woman' today
'My husband has just been released': NFL wives put human face on roster moves during cut day
Unclear how many in Lahaina lost lives as Hawaii authorities near the end of their search for dead
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
Fire weather conditions expected in parts of Northern California. PG&E says power cuts are possible
South Korean auto supplier plans $72 million plant in Georgia to build electric vehicle parts
Forklift operator dies in accident at Boston’s Logan International Airport