Current:Home > StocksChicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration -WealthFlow Academy
Chicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration
View
Date:2025-04-16 22:57:59
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! (92)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Why Pregnant Serena Williams Kept Baby No. 2 a Secret From Daughter Olympia Until Met Gala Reveal
- Today’s Climate: June 15, 2010
- Mother of 6-year-old boy who shot his Virginia teacher faces two new federal charges
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Below Deck Alum Kate Chastain Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby
- Fracking the Everglades? Many Floridians Recoil as House Approves Bill
- What are your chances of catching monkeypox?
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Polar Vortex: How the Jet Stream and Climate Change Bring on Cold Snaps
Ranking
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- What are your chances of catching monkeypox?
- Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia appears to be in opening phases
- 2015: The Year the Environmental Movement Knocked Out Keystone XL
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Matty Healy Spotted at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Concert Amid Romance Rumors
- Debate 2020: The Candidates’ Climate Positions & What They’ve Actually Done
- So you haven't caught COVID yet. Does that mean you're a superdodger?
Recommendation
Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
The economics behind 'quiet quitting' — and what we should call it instead
World Hunger Rises with Climate Shocks, Conflict and Economic Slumps
California Well Leaking Methane Ordered Sealed by Air Quality Agency
Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
Microsoft to pay $20 million over FTC charges surrounding kids' data collection
Prince Andrew Wears Full Royal Regalia, Prince Harry Remains in a Suit at King Charles III's Coronation
Let's Bow Down to Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton's Twinning Moment at King Charles' Coronation