Current:Home > ScamsChicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration -Wealth Evolution Experts
Chicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during team's Ring of Honor celebration
View
Date:2025-04-14 20:41:48
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! (934)
Related
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Brandon Aiyuk is finally catching attention as vital piece of 49ers' Super Bowl run
- FAA tells Congress not to raise the mandatory retirement for pilots until it can study the issue
- Endangered panther killed by train in South Florida, marking 5th such fatality this year
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- NFL avoids major Super Bowl embarrassment – for now – with 49ers' practice field problem
- Washington state Senate unanimously approves ban on hog-tying by police
- Bluesky, a social network championed by Jack Dorsey, opens for anyone to sign up
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Tish Cyrus Details “Psychological Breakdown” Amid Divorce From Billy Ray Cyrus
Ranking
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Man serving life in prison for 2014 death of Tucson teen faces retrial in killing of 6-year-old girl
- Jose Altuve signs five-year, $125 million contract extension with Houston Astros
- A bill that would allow armed teachers in Nebraska schools prompts emotional testimony
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Olympian Gabby Douglas Officially Returning to Gymnastics, Reveals Plans for 2024 Paris Olympics
- Trump is not immune from prosecution in his 2020 election interference case, US appeals court says
- Alabama lawmakers begin session with votes on gambling and school vouchers ahead
Recommendation
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery plan to launch a sports streaming platform
Bachelor’s Joey Graziadei Mixes Up Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Student arrested, no injuries after shots fired at South Carolina State University
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
4 Republican rivals for West Virginia governor spar on issues at debate
Illinois man receives sentence after driving into abortion clinic, trying to set it on fire
Judge in Trump fraud trial asks about possible perjury plea deal for Allen Weisselberg