Introduction
The Chicago Bulls held a Ring of Honor ceremony during halftime of their January 13th game against the Golden State Warriors, inducting the team from the iconic 1995-1996 72-win season. Included was controversial former general manager Jerry Krause, who was represented by his widow Thelma at the event. What was intended as a celebration and tribute, however, turned ugly when Krause was met by loud boos and jeers from the crowd.
Krause Booed During Ceremony
As soon as Krause’s name was announced for induction, the crowd’s boos drowned out the applause. The negative reaction continued as a video tribute played on the jumbotron and did not let up when Thelma Krause walked to center court to accept the honor on her late husband’s behalf.
Bulls broadcaster Stacey King slammed the fans’ behavior during the NBC Sports Chicago telecast:
“I’m extremely disappointed in this crowd tonight…To boo his widow, that is classless, and it’s ridiculous. This is the worst thing I’ve seen in my life at this arena.”
King was far from the only critic of the fans’ conduct. Analysts and former players alike took to social media to condemn booing a widow to tears as “despicable” and “disgraceful.”
Not all faulted the fans, however. Some blamed Michael Jordan and the biases of the 2020 “Last Dance” documentary for perpetuating Krause’s bad reputation. Others cited Phil Jackson for downplaying Krause’s role in constructing Chicago’s dynasty.
Krause’s Complicated Bulls Legacy
As the Bulls general manager from 1985 to 2003, Krause oversaw the franchise’s transformation from a losing team into a legendary dynasty that won six championships in eight years behind Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and coach Phil Jackson.
Krause has been portrayed as arrogant and determined to prove he could build a champion without Jordan. His tense relationships with Chicago’s stars and decision to dismantle the dynasty team after their 1998 title fueled perceptions that ego drove Krause more than basketball vision.
However, Krause was the architect who shrewdly drafted Pippen and Horace Grant, hired Jackson, and filled Chicago’s roster with skilled role players. He perhaps deserved more credit for the Bulls’ sustained excellence.
| Bulls Key Contributors Acquired by Jerry Krause | How They Were Acquired |
|---|---|
| Scottie Pippen | Drafted 5th Overall in 1987 NBA Draft |
| Horace Grant | Drafted 10th Overall in 1987 NBA Draft |
| Phil Jackson | Hired as Assistant Coach in 1987, Promoted to Head Coach in 1989 |
| Dennis Rodman | Traded for Will Perdue in 1995 |
| Toni Kukoc | Drafted in 2nd Round of 1990 NBA Draft |
“It is important we clarify Jerry’s role in our run of six championships,” said former Bulls forward Horace Grant. “Despite our disagreements at the end, his fingerprints were all over those title teams.”
Mixed Response from Former Bulls
Among former Bulls players attending the halftime ceremony, reactions to Krause’s induction were noticeably mixed. Michael Jordan was not in attendance, instead releasing a brief congratulatory statement on Twitter without commenting on Krause specifically.
Scottie Pippen, a frequent critic of Krause over the years, appeared stoic during the customary group photo with fellow inductees. Backcourt legend Ron Harper, however, comforted the tearful Thelma Krause with a hug and escorted her back to her seat, drawing praise on social media.
Former Bulls thanked Krause’s family for their grace despite the crowd’s hostile reception. Bulls executives also issued a postgame apology, saying Krause “deserved a night to celebrate his basketball life without distraction.”
The ugly incident sparked debates over whether Krause’s negative fan perception had gone too far. It also raised larger questions regarding sports fans’ lack of empathy and tendency toward mob mentality.
Conclusion and Lasting Impact
In the end, the chaos at the United Center overshadowed and distracted from what was meant to be a unifying celebration of one of the greatest teams and eras in basketball history. It cast a pall over the subsequent on-court Ring of Honor inductions for beloved championship Bulls teams and marred a special occasion.
The torrent of fan abuse also dealt unnecessary pain to Krause’s widow. It represented the worst of fandom’s petty grudges and groupthink, fueled by one-sided media narratives, the outsized legend of Jordan, and shots taken by ex-Bulls in the years since that sixth championship in 1998.
The Krause controversy added an ugly footnote to the last vestiges of the Jordan dynasty in Chicago. It showed open wounds remained between fans, Krause, and his former players decades later. For the guests of honor like Thelma Krause, it was a difficult reminder that in sports, reputations are not easily forgotten nor perceptions easily changed.
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