Chicago Bulls fans booed former general manager Jerry Krause Friday evening during a halftime ceremony honoring the organization’s greats, apparently reducing his widow to tears and drawing criticism from former players.
Krause was one of 13 members of the inaugural class for the Bulls’ Ring of Honor and was recognized as the architect of their six championship teams. After his death in 2017, Krause was represented by his widow, Thelma, who was visibly upset by a flood of cheers from some fans at the United Center and remained seated rather than acknowledge the crowd.
Absolutely brutal response from Chicago fans who booed the late Jerry Krause during the Bulls’ Ring of Honor ceremony. His wife, who represented him, was in tears.
Just terrible. pic.twitter.com/fA1eRs2TCn
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 13, 2024
“It’s absolutely embarrassing,” said Warriors coach and former Bulls guard Steve Kerr, who was among the winners but was in the locker room with his team at the time. “Tonight and last night was all about the joy and love that team shared with the city, and I am so disappointed in the fans. I want to be specific as there were a lot of fans that I’m sure didn’t care. Those who booed should be ashamed.”
Former Bulls forward Stacey King, now an analyst for NBC Sports Chicago, said when play resumed in the third quarter that he was disappointed in the fans who booed and called them classless.
“I’ll tell you what, Chicago is a sports town, and what we saw today with Jerry Krause’s name being called and the people booing Jerry Krause and his widow, who accepted this honor for him, was the worst thing I could have done.” think up. thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” King said. “I hurt for that lady. I brought her to tears and whoever booed her in this arena should be ashamed of themselves.”
Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson was one of several former Bulls stars greeted with loud cheers. But former star players Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman were absent from the festivities.
Jordan, Pippen and Jackson sometimes disagreed with Krause, one of the themes of the documentary The Last Dance about the 1997-98 season, the last of the Bulls dynasty that Krause helped build.
“He was instrumental in the Bulls’ success and created one of the greatest teams ever assembled,” Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan said of Krause. “Family and friends who are still there should be appreciated and not ignored.”
Rodman was scheduled to appear, but his travel plans were canceled due to bad weather. Both he and Jordan sent in video messages acknowledging the honor.