NBC Sports Chicago analyst Stacey King and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr criticized Bulls fans for booing when former general manager Jerry Krause, who died in 2017, was named during a Ring of Honor ceremony Friday.
The late Krause was represented by his wife, Thelma, who became emotional — and was consoled by Ron Harper, according to the Associated Press — as the fans booed.
He served as Chicago’s general manager from 1985-2003 and won NBA six titles.
But Krause was portrayed as a controversial figure in the “Last Dance” documentary for his role in the end of that era’s dynasty.
Still, Krause emerged as a prominent figure in the franchise’s history, and that’s why he was one of 13 members of the inaugural Ring of Honor class that also included the entire 1995-96 team.
“I’m a little upset right now,” King said on the broadcast about the boos. “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.
“I hurt for that lady. Brought her to tears. Whoever booed her in this arena should be ashamed of themselves. That’s not Chicago. That’s New York, Philly. Chicago’s not like that. We don’t have a reputation of being that way. And whether you like Jerry Krause or not, that man brought six championships here. He didn’t shoot a basket nor did he get a rebound, but he put six titles up in this arena. There’s a lot of teams that only have one, and that was really classless. I was disappointed in the people that booed. It was a sad thing.”
Kerr, who played on that title-winning Bulls team, blasted spectators who booed postgame, too.
“It’s shameful,” Kerr said after the Warriors 140-131 win at the United Center. “It’s absolutely shameful. I cannot believe … I’m devastated for Thelma, for the Krause family. … The fans who booed, they know who they are, and to me, it’s absolutely shameful.”
Krause, who was 77 years old when he died in 2017, was remembered as a “man determined to create a winning team” by ex-Bulls coach Phil Jackson after his death.
Jackson, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman were among the other members of the Ring of Honor class, though Jordan, Pippen and Rodman weren’t in attendance, according to the AP.
With the loss, the Bulls dropped to 18-22 this season.
DeMar DeRozan led Chicago with 39 points.
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