Current:Home > ScamsChicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration -FinanceCore
Chicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration
View
Date:2025-04-13 09:13:22
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! (2663)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Cowboys deny Lions on 2-point try for 20-19 win to extend home win streak to 16
- UFOs, commercial spaceflight and rogue tomatoes: Recapping 2023's wild year in space
- Nick Carter Shares Family Video in First Post Since Sister Bobbie Jean Carter's Death
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- The Empire State rings in the new year with a pay bump for minimum-wage workers
- Barack Obama's favorite songs of 2023 include Beyoncé, Shakira, Zach Bryan: See the list
- See Martha Stewart's 'thirst trap' selfie showcasing luxurious nightgown
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Sheet of ice drifts out into lake near Canada carrying 100 fishers, rescuers say
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- AFC playoff picture: Baltimore Ravens secure home-field advantage
- Bronny James scores career-high 15 points, including highlight-reel dunk, in USC loss
- Puppies, purebreds among the growing list of adoptable animals filling US shelters
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Inkster native on a mission to preserve Detroit Jit
- Zac Brown, Kelly Yazdi to divorce after marrying earlier this year: 'Wish each other the best'
- Actor Tom Wilkinson, known for 'The Full Monty,' dies at 75
Recommendation
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
Pope recalls Benedict XVI’s love and wisdom on anniversary of death, as secretary reflects on legacy
The year in review: Top news stories of 2023 month-by-month
Penn State defense overwhelmed by Ole Miss tempo and ‘too many moving parts’ in Peach Bowl loss
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
Former Ugandan steeplechase Olympian Benjamin Kiplagat found fatally stabbed in Kenya
This group has an idea to help save the planet: Everyone should go vegan
North Korea’s Kim orders military to ‘thoroughly annihilate’ US, South Korea if provoked