Shame on Bulls fans. Jerry Krause was awesome.
As I was reading about the Bulls Ring of Honor ceremony in Saturday’s paper, I found myself disappointed that Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman could not make it. However, I was more disappointed and shocked that the late, great Jerry Krause’s announcement was met with boos. His wife, Thelma, was there on his behalf, and she was in tears. That was just shameful!
I understand fans booing at players, coaches, GMs. They have every right to do that when those individuals are not performing and not getting wins. It’s part of the game. Well, this wasn’t a game; this was an event of honor. What are they booing at, what am I missing? The people chosen for this ring of honor ceremony are greats in the history of the Bulls, and Jerry is no exception.
Do these insensitive nitwits not realize that Jerry was the architect of the dynasty of the ’90s? Michael was here already, but Jerry is the one who built the supporting cast. He drafted Pippen, Horace Grant, Charles Oakley, B.J. Armstrong; he signed Ron Harper, John Paxson, Steve Kerr, Robert Parish, Bill Cartwright and Rodman, and he hired Doug Collins, Phil Jackson and Tex Winter. The boneheads should read the letter written by Jerry Reinsdorf, which speaks to Krause’s entire career, with the Cubs, Sox, Suns, 76ers, Lakers and Bulls. I wish he would have made a stop at the Bears!
As GMs and scouts go, he was a genius and should be applauded by all. And we as a fan base owe an apology to Thelma Krause. So here is mine. Thelma, if you are reading this, I apologize for the clueless simpletons at this event. Jerry was awesome!
John LaBrant, Norwood Park