Michael Jordan achieved unprecedented levels of success with the Chicago Bulls, but few can deny his time with the NBA franchise was tainted by his feud with the late Jerry Krause.
During the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor ceremony on January 13, the bitter feeling between Jordan and Krause was renewed despite the fact the latter died in 2017.
When Krause’s name was mentioned during the announcement of awardees, fans expressed their disapproval by booing – leading to his widow to break down in tears.
Krause was general manager of the Chicago Bulls in the NBA from 1985 to 2003, which coincided with Jordan’s golden period and their six NBA championships between 1991 and 1998.
But all was not well between the two, with Jordan left furious by a comment allegedly made by the Bulls chief which complicated their legacy.
In the book ‘Playing for Keeps: Michael Jordan and the World He Made’, released in February 2000, author David Halberstam alleged that Krause labelled Jordan as their ‘property’, which was interpreted as a comment with racial undertones.
The excerpt read: “In a conversation with Jordan, he rebuffed one of Jordan’s pleas to play and said that he and Jerry Reinsdorf would make the decision because Jordan was their property.
“It was a colossally stupid thing to say about any player, particularly a black one, and it was a statement that Michael Jordan never forgot and never forgave.”
Why Michael Jordan skipped the ceremony
Jordan was conspicuous by his absence from the Ring of Honor ceremony, which was organized to reunite some of the NBA franchise’s biggest names and recognize their achievements.
The inaugural Ring of Honor gala featured 13 players, coaches and executives being inducted. But Jordan was a no-show, having informed organizers he could not attend in advance.
Along with Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc, Phil Jackson, Artis Gilmore, Johnny “Red” Kerr, Dick Klein, Jerry Krause, Bob Love, Jerry Sloan, Chet Walker and Tex Winter are all being given their place in Bulls folklore – as well as the 1995-96 team that won a record-breaking 72 games.
However, the 60-year-old did record a video message in which he said he was “bummed” not to be able to make it and praised Bulls fans for their kind words whenever he is recognized in public.