NBC Sports Chicago analyst Stacey King and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr were named during Friday's Ring of Honor ceremony for former general manager Jerry Kraus, who died in 2017. He criticized Bulls fans for booing him at the time.
As fans booed, Krause was represented by his emotional wife Thelma, who was consoled by Ron Harper, according to the Associated Press.
He was Chicago's general manager from 1985 to 2003, winning six NBA titles.
However, Klaus was portrayed in the documentary The Last Dance as a controversial figure for his role in the end of that era's dynasty.
Still, Krause has emerged as a standout figure in franchise history, which is why he was one of 13 members of the inaugural Ring of Honor class, which also included the entire 1995-1996 team. That's why it was.
“I'm a little upset right now,” King said on the air about the boos. “What we witnessed today was people who booed Jerry Krause and the widow who received this honor for him when his name was called. It's the best I've ever seen. It was the worst thing that happened.
“I was hurt by that woman. I brought her to tears. Anyone who booed her in this arena should be ashamed. It's not Chicago. It's New York, Philadelphia. Chicago isn't like that. We don't have that kind of reputation. And whether you like Jerry Krause or not, that guy brought six championships here. He shoots and shoots. They didn't get any rebounds, but they won six titles in this arena. There are a lot of teams that only have one, but it was really classless. I'm disappointed in the people who booed me. That's sad. did.”
Kerr, who played on the Bulls' title-winning team, also slammed the crowd for booing after the game.
“It's embarrassing,” Kerr said after the Warriors' 140-131 victory at the United Center. “It's totally embarrassing. I can't believe it… I think about Thelma, I think about the Claus family, I'm just shocked. … The fans who booed know who they are and to me it's totally embarrassing.” It’s the right thing to do.”
Krause, who died in 2017 at the age of 77, was remembered posthumously by former Bulls coach Phil Jackson as “a man determined to build a winning team.”
The Ring of Honor class also included Jackson, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, but Jordan, Pippen and Rodman did not attend, according to the Associated Press.
With this loss, the Bulls fell to 18 wins and 22 losses on the season.
DeMar DeRozan led Chicago with 39 points.
