Chicago Bulls fans mercilessly booed late general manager Jerry Krause during a halftime celebration in Friday’s 140-131 loss to the Golden State Warriors at the United Center.
The team brought together several former players to honor its inaugural Ring of Honor class, as well as Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson and other team personnel. When former team broadcaster Neil Funk announced Krause and the big screen depicted Krause’s likeness, fans erupted in boos.
The crowd’s reaction left Krause’s widowed wife, Thelma Krause, visibly shaken as she was shown on the big screen.
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“It’s absolutely shameful,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who won three championships with the Bulls under Krause, said postgame. “I’m devastated for Thelma and for the Krause family. What can we possibly be thinking? … The fans who booed, they know who they are and that to me is absolutely shameful. I’m devastated by that.
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“Whether people liked Jerry or not, whether they disagreed with the decision to move on, we’re here to celebrate the team. Jerry did an amazing job building that team. Tonight and last night was all about the joy and the love that team shared with the city and I’m so disappointed in the fans. And I want to be specific, because there were lots of fans I’m sure who did not boo. But those who booed, they should be ashamed.”
Krause is credited as being the architect of the Bulls’ dynasty but also the man many view as responsible for dismantling the franchise’s core after six championships. He passed away in 2017.
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(Photo: Chase Agnello-Dean / NHLI via Getty Images)
