It costs absolutely nothing to be kind and Chicago Bulls fans couldn’t even do that.
Chicago Bulls fans booed former general manager Jerry Krause on Friday night during a halftime ceremony to honor the organization’s greats. Krause wasn’t always beloved in the city, but he was the architect of the Bulls’ six championships.
Krause was one of 13 members of the inaugural class for the Bulls’ “Ring of Honor,” and he was represented by his widow, Thelma, who was visibly upset by fans booing her late husband.
The NBA world was profoundly pissed at how Krause’s widow was treated.
“It’s unnecessary. It’s impolite. It’s ignorant,” San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Saturday.
“If anything, it’s like a snapshot of the world we live in today. Meanness seems to be a lot more condoned.”
“It’s absolutely shameful,” said Warriors coach and former Bulls guard Steve Kerr, who was among the honorees.
“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. I want to be specific since there were lots of fans I’m sure did not boo. Those who booed, they should be ashamed.”
Former Bulls forward Stacey King, now an analyst for NBC Sports Chicago, had the biggest reaction to fans booing.
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“I’m telling you what, Chicago is a sports town, and 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,” King said. “I hurt for that lady. Brought her to tears and whoever booed her in this arena should be ashamed of themselves.”
The dislike for Krause was back in the news when “The Last Dance” documentary about the 1997-98 season came out a few years ago.
Despite how Chicago Bulls fans may feel, Krause was the architect for the only time the Bulls have been relevant in their history.
Jerry Krause was the Bulls’ general manager from 1985 through 2003. The Chicago Bulls last made the playoffs in 2022, when they lost the Eastern Conference First Round. The team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2015 when the Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference First Round.
They have not been back to the NBA Finals since 1998, Jordan’s last year with the team.
