Former Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause passed away on Tuesday afternoon.
Jerry Krause, GM of the Bulls for their six title teams, passed away this afternoon at age 77, a member of the family told the Tribune. RIP
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 21, 2017
Krause was the general manager of the Bulls from 1985 to 2003, putting together the Bulls rosters that won six NBA titles in the 1990s. Krause is a finalist for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this year as a contributor for his role in building those Bulls teams and as a long-time scout.
After leaving the Bulls, Krause eventually returned to his scouting roots in baseball, most recently with the Chicago White Sox. He retired from that position in 2016 as he was dealing with health issues, ending his lengthy career in sports.
Krause was a complicated figure in the memory of Chicago sports fans as he famously had battles with Michael Jordan. Jordan hated that Krause traded Charles Oakley and they had battles as far back as 1986 over Jordan returning from injury, but despite those disputes, Krause did make some moves that proved to be crucial to Chicago’s success, like bringing in Dennis Rodman ahead of the Bulls’ second title run.
On Tuesday, a number of writers remembered a kindness from Krause. Whether it be his desire to speak positively about players like Tyson Chandler or him just generally being a warmer personality as he grew older.
There's a side of Krause that not many people got to see and came out more fully as he aged. He loved the city of Chicago immensely.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 21, 2017
He called himself a scout at heart and always fought for behind-the-scenes people to get more credit. And he loved working for the Bulls.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 21, 2017
Jerry had his critics. And as a kid who grew up in Chicago during Jordan era, I remember being one of them. But he was incredibly kind to me
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) March 21, 2017
I remember throwing a reporter's version of a Hail Mary: Reaching out to a PR contact to try to get Krause for interview abt Tyson Chandler.
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) March 21, 2017
PR people were very clear: No. He doesn't speak with the media, w exception of the great @KCJHoop, with whom he had good relationship.
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) March 21, 2017
Then my phone rings an hr or two later. It's Jerry. Says he'd never turn down a chance to rave abt Tyson Chandler and the great person he is
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) March 21, 2017
