According to a family of Jerry Krause, the former Chicago Bulls general manager has passed away at the age of 77.
Jerry Krause, the architect of the greatest era in the history of Chicago Bulls basketball, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 77.
Krause, who was the general manager of the Chicago Bulls throughout their run throughout the 1990’s that resulted in the organization’s six NBA titles, was reported to have passed by Chicago Tribune Bulls beat reporter K.C. Johnson through a member of the Krause family on Tuesday.
Here’s what Johnson tweeted out:
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 is a finalist for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in the contributor category.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 21, 2017
Johnson also added these heartfelt tidbits as well. Not many have covered the Bulls better or longer than K.C. has over the years.
On a personal level, I feel fortunate to have spent a ton of time with Krause over the last decade plus. He's a special mind and worker.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 21, 2017
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
Furthermore, Michael Jordan (you probably have heard that name once or twice), also gave a public statement to the Tribune on Krause’s passing.
In statement to Trib, MJ on Krause: "Jerry was key figure in the Bulls' dynasty and meant so much to the Bulls, White Sox & city of Chicago"
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 21, 2017
Jordan and Krause didn’t always see eye-to-eye on matters, but without Krause, there is no Michael Jordan in Chicago. There’s no trade to acquire Scottie Pippen. There’s no hiring Phil Jackson to help bring six championships to Chicago.
Hell, there probably isn’t an United Center without Jerry Krause’s contributions to the Chicago Bulls over the years.
Krause is just as much a part of the story of the Chicago Bulls organization outside of any player such as Jordan, Pippen, Bob Love or Jerry Sloan. He and Reinsdorf put together some of Chicago’s most memorable teams, including the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls that went 72-10 and won a title.
Former Bulls center (and head coach) Bill Cartwright also added some thoughts on Krause’s passing on Tuesday:
Bill Cartwright on Krause: "What kind of person you were, how tough you were, played a big part in what he thought of you."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 21, 2017
Cartwright was acquired by Krause and the Bulls before the 1988-89 season and became the man in the middle for the Bulls for the first three title-winning Bulls teams.
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We here at Pippen Ain’t Easy want to join in and send our condolences to the entire Krause family.