Michael Jordan pays tribute to late Jerry Krause, architect of Chicago Bulls dynasty
Michael Jordan paid tribute to late Bulls GM Jerry Krause, the architect of Chicago's dynasty who has died at age 77.
"Jerry was key figure in the Bulls' dynasty and meant so much to the Bulls, White Sox and city of Chicago," Jordan said in a statement. "My heart goes out to his wife, Thelma, his family and friends."
The Bulls also issued a statement:
https://twitter.com/highkin/status/844273252121939968
Jordan famously feuded with Krause, a longtime scout in both the NBA and Major League Baseball for Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf's Chicago White Sox, who surrounded Jordan with the talent that helped the Bulls win six NBA championships in the 1990s.
"The trade of (Charles) Oakley was good, and the best thing he did was to get (Scottie) Pippen and (Horace) Grant," Jordan told Sports Illustrated in 1993. "His claim to fame is that he drafted Earl Monroe for the Bullets. And I say to him 'What pick was that?' He says 'Two.' And I say 'Hell! Earl Monroe was a real secret, huh! If you hadn't taken him, he'd have gone third!'"
Krause's explanation for his feud with Jordan:
"I'm the only one who has told him no. ... This kid has had his butt kissed by everyone in the world except his parents and me," Krause told SI. "If we'd listened to him, we'd have (former UNC guard) Buzz Peterson on the team!
"My goal is not to be his friend. My goal is to win titles."
