The Chicago Bulls honored the first class of their new Ring of Honor on Friday night. steve kerr And then the Golden State Warriors came to town.
The first class was 13 men and the entire 1995-1996 team, including the designers. bulls dynasty former general manager Jerry Krause in the 1990s;
Former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson during the Ring of Honor ceremony for the 1995-96 Bulls team during halftime of the Bulls vs. Golden State Warriors NBA basketball game, Friday, January 12, 2024. appears on the video screen. Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beatty)
Krause, who passed away in 2017, was represented by his wife, Thelma.
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman absent from Bulls' inaugural Ring of Honor celebration
During the halftime ceremony, when Klaus was shown on the scoreboard and Thelma appeared visibly upset, there was considerable booing from the crowd.
After the game, Kerr, who played for the Bulls from 1993 to 1998, yelled at the booing fans.
“I didn't hear it. I was in the locker room and someone just told me about it,” Kerr said after the game. “And it's embarrassing. It's really embarrassing. I'm devastated thinking about Thelma and the Klaus family. What the hell are we thinking?”
“When you hear boos, you have to understand that it's not everyone. The fans who booed know who they are. To me, it's absolutely shameful. And I'm devastated by that. What are we doing?'' Whether people like Jerry or not, whether they disagree with his decision to move on…I are here to celebrate the team. Jerry has done a great job building that team. ”
“I want to be specific because I'm sure there were a lot of fans who didn't boo,” Kerr added. “And those who booed should be ashamed.”
Former Chicago Bulls player Ron Harper returns to action during NBA halftime, as the crowd boos when his name is announced at the 1995-96 Bulls team's Ring of Honor ceremony. Thelma Kraus, widow of former GM Jerry Kraus, is comforted during the Bulls vs. Golden State Warriors basketball game on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beatty)
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Kraus was responsible for keeping Chicago's team together. Michael Jordan He won six NBA championships in the 1990s.
Bulls President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf released a statement after the game, saying Kraus deserves respect.
“Jerry Krause is the sixth nba champion According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Reinsdorf is a “two-time NBA Executive of the Year. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for his accomplishments, and is one of the most important members of our history.” It's become a part of it,” he said. His work deserves to be celebrated and respected. It is my great honor to have Thelma join me tonight to recognize Jerry as an inaugural member of the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor. ”
Stacey King, a former Chicago player and current analyst for NBC Sports Chicago, berated fans who booed when the broadcast returned from halftime.
“What I'm saying is, Chicago is a sports city and when Jerry Krause's name was called today, I booed Jerry Krause and his widow who received this honor for him. What we witnessed was the worst thing I've ever seen in my life,'' King said. “I was hurt for that woman. I made her girlfriend cry. Whoever booed her in this arena should be ashamed.”
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NBA Finals: Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson (right) and Bulls' Jerry Reinsdorf on the court after their Game 6 victory over the Utah Jazz on June 13 at the United Center in Chicago. NBC reporter Ahmad Rashad speaks with Chairman and General Manager Jerry Krause (left). , 1997. (John Bieber/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
In the documentary “The Last Dance,” Krause is portrayed as at odds with Bulls players and head coach Phil Jackson, and is often blamed for bringing about the end of the dynasty.
Jordan, Scottie Pippen Dennis Rodman was also absent from the ceremony, but Jordan addressed the crowd via pre-recorded video.
“I'm so disappointed that I can't be there tonight, but I don't want that to stop you from having fun, and believe me, I'm so grateful and so honored,” Jordan said. “Dear fans, you've supported me ever since I stepped foot in Chicago. And I still meet a lot of Chicago fans all over the world. So we made a strong impression and… , I think it changed what Chicago stands for in terms of champions.''Every time we look up from the rafters, I want us to always be reminded of where we've been and where we are now. And we're always going to be champions.
“It's a shame I won't be able to be there, but I'll always be a Chicago Bull.”
The Warriors defeated the Bulls 140-131, ending their losing streak at two.
FOX News' Ryan Mollick and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
