The Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor concert featuring Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and many more looks like a good time for everyone. It ended up being ugly instead.
Neither Jordan, Pippen nor Rodman attended the Bulls' inaugural Ring of Honor class at halftime on Friday, as they all sent video addresses to at least acknowledge the event. Jordan video It was not what we would describe as emotional.
Other honorees include Phil Jackson, Tony Kukoc, Artis Gilmore, Tex Winter, Chet Walker, the entire 1995-96 team, Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, Dick Klein and Jerry Krause.
It was this last name that caused the party to enter disgraceful territory.
To put it mildly, Krause, the Bulls' general manager from 1985 to 2003, is not very popular among Chicago fans. It is well known that Jordan disliked him and was widely blamed for Jackson's exit in 1998, which precipitated the collapse of the team's dynasty. Krause died in 2017, so he wasn't able to advocate for himself when the team's legacy was revisited on ESPN's “The Last Dance.” Instead, the entire documentary became an opportunity for everyone to get rid of Krause.
So it shouldn't have been a huge surprise when Bulls fans loudly mocked Krause's name when it was announced. It was a surprise, however, because some at the United Center booed Krause's widow, Thelma, there.
Apparently Thelma Krause didn't take the boos from her late husband well:
you can see A closer look at her reaction here.
Among the many people who were upset to see fans booing an elderly woman because they hate what they believe her husband did to their sports team was Bulls color commentator Stacey King, who played for the Bulls alongside Jordan and under Krause from 1989 to 1994. .
He opened the third quarter by tearing up these fans:
King's reaction:
“I'm a little upset right now… We just had a great party, bringing back legends and I'll tell you what, Chicago is a sports town. What we witnessed today when Kerry Krause's name was called and people were booing Jerry Krause and his widow, who was accepting this honor for him.” It was the worst thing I've ever seen in my life. I hurt for that lady. It made her cry. “
“Whoever booed it in this arena should be ashamed of themselves. This ain't Chicago, this is New York, Philly. Chicago ain't that. We don't have a reputation for being that way. Whether you like Jerry Krause or not, this guy” brought six Championships here. He didn't take a shot or get a rebound, but he put up six titles in this arena. There are a lot of teams that only have one title. That was really not classy. I was disappointed in people I was booed. It was a sad thing.
Unfortunately, it seems entirely possible that Chicago now has a reputation that way.
Obviously, not all Bulls fans were booing Krause, and it's not as if some of the criticism directed at Krause isn't warranted. But a man's ring of honor ceremony is not the place to do that, especially when his widow is there and not him. It might be helpful to remember that Krause drafted two players (Pippen, Kukoc), traded for another player (Rodman) and hired two coaches (Jackson, Winter).
If Bulls fans really wanted to complain about the direction their team has taken over the past 25 years, team owner Jerry Reinsdorf was right there.
Reinsdorf's son, Bulls president Michael Reinsdorf, did not criticize the mockery Statement after the ceremonyBut Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, a Bulls player under Krause and the Bulls' opponent on Friday, He had some very harsh words:
“It's shameful. Absolutely shameful. I can't believe it – I'm devastated for Thelma and for the Krause family. What can we think? I can't believe that the fans – and you have to understand, when you hear the booing, this is not normal.” “. All of them, right? So the fans who were booing, they know who they are. …
“What do we do? Whether people like Jerry or not, whether they disagree with the decision to move forward, we are here to celebrate this team. Jerry has done a great job building this team. Tonight and last night were full of joy and I love that team that he shared with the city and I am disappointed.” “Huge hope from the fans, and I want to be specific because there were a lot of fans, I'm sure they weren't booing. Both of those who were booing, they should be ashamed.”
Bulls star DeMar DeRozan also criticized, saying it was “disgusting” for Krause's family to hear about his treatment, via Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune:
“May God rest his soul, he played a major role in the success the Bulls had and created one of the greatest teams ever assembled. You have to give him credit. This man had family and friends who are still here and they should be appreciated. It should not be disrespected in any way Figures by hearing booing or something like that.
“It's upsetting that their family has to endure something like that. You can never take away what he created. Without Jerry, there would be no Chicago Bulls history. You've got to give him credit as long as basketball exists.”
The Bulls lost to the Warriors 140-131.