Chicago Bulls fans boo late GM Jerry Krause during Ring of Honor celebration: ‘That was really classless’
Even on a night of celebration, Chicago Bulls fans reserved little love for Jerry Krause.
The former Bulls executive was one of 13 pivotal members of the inaugural class of the Ring of Honor. The Bulls feted the class Friday during halftime of the game against the Golden State Warriors.
Fans clearly were eager to steep in the nostalgia, greeting former coach Phil Jackson with a thunderous ovation when he was introduced at center court. But when former play-by-play announcer Neil Funk introduced Krause, the sellout crowd at the United Center rained a chorus of boos down onto the hardwood.
Krause’s widow, Thelma — who stood in for her late husband throughout the week’s celebrations — visibly struggled to hold back tears when the camera cut to her among the other honorees.
DeMar DeRozan voiced disappointment with the reaction after the Bulls’ 140-131 loss.
“That man had family, friends that are still here that ought to be appreciated and shouldn’t be disrespected in no type of way, by hearing boos or anything like that,” DeRozan said. “It just sucks that their family had to endure something like that. You can never take away what he created. Without Jerry, there wouldn’t be the historic Chicago Bulls. You’ve got to give him credit for as long as basketball is around.”
Fans eventually changed their tune, giving a tepid cheer when Funk repeated Krause’s name. But the message was sent — despite the success of his legacy, Bulls fans still haven’t forgiven Krause for how the dynasty came to an abrupt end.
NBC Sports Chicago analyst Stacey King — who played for the Bulls from 1989-99 while Krause was general manager — decried the crowd reaction on the team broadcast.
“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,” King said. “Whoever booed her in this arena, that’s not Chicago. That’s New York, that’s Philly. We don’t have a reputation of being that way. 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 this arena. That was really classless.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, a member of the 1995-96 champions as well as the championship Bulls teams of the next two seasons, wasn’t happy with the fans’ outburst.
“It’s shameful. It’s absolutely shameful,” Kerr told reporters after the game. “I’m devastated for Thelma and the Krause family. What can we possibly be thinking?
“The fans who booed, they know who they are, and to me it’s absolutely shameful, and I’m devastated by that. Whether people liked Jerry or not, whether they disagreed with the decision to move on ... We’re here to celebrate that team. Jerry did an amazing job building that team. Tonight and last night was all about the joy and love that that team shared with the city, and I’m so disappointed in the fans. ... Those who booed, they should be ashamed.”
A longtime general manager for the Bulls, Krause was instrumental in helping build the six-title dynasty of the 1990s. During his tenure from 1985 to 2003, Krause earned two NBA Executive of the Year awards as he acquired players such as Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman to craft the Bulls into the most dominant franchise in the league.
But Krause also carried the brunt of blame from Bulls fans for the way that era ended in Chicago, particularly for his involvement in Jackson’s exit.
Krause died in March 2017. Ahead of Thursday’s gala, Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf noted there was only one way the night could have been better — if Krause had been able to attend.
The inaugural class of the Ring of Honor included Artis Gilmore, Jackson, Jordan, Johnny “Red” Kerr, Dick Klein, Krause, Toni Kukoč, Bob Love, Pippen, Rodman, Jerry Sloan, Chet Walker and Tex Winter. The entire roster and coaching staff of the 1995-96 team also was inducted.
The inductees were honored during a gala at the United Center on Thursday night and at halftime of Friday’s game. Jordan, Pippen and Rodman were unable to attend.
