The Bulls losing to the Golden State Warriors 140-131 won’t likely be the most memorable thing about Friday night’s game at the United Center.
Nor will the Bulls’ second-half collapse against the visiting Warriors, its struggles to defend the pick and roll or them having their three-game win streak snapped.
What everybody will likely remember most, more than any outcome, is what occurred during the Bulls’ first-ever Ring-of-Honor ceremony to recognize their 1995-96 team, the one that went 72-10 and won the NBA championship, the greatest NBA team ever.
All anyone could talk about were the fans in the United Center who booed when the name of the late Jerry Krause, former Bulls GM, was announced as an honoree. They did so in the presence of his widow, Thelma.
Former Bulls GM Jerry Krause was boo’d during the team’s Ring of Honor ceremony at halftime.
His wife Thelma, who appeared in his place, was captured on the big screen and visibly emotional during the booing.pic.twitter.com/7zLAtOTZvc
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 13, 2024
The response visibly shook her, and the Bulls fans who perpetrated the act were roundly criticized.
“I’m telling you what, Chicago is a sports town, and what we witnessed today when Jerry Krause’s name was called and the people that booed Jerry Krause and his widow, who was accepting this honor for him, it was the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” King said. “I hurt for that lady. Brought her to tears and whoever booed her in this arena should be ashamed of themselves,” said NBC Sports Chicago analyst Stacey King, as the game resumed in the third quarter.
Stacey King shares his thoughts on the classless boos Jerry Krause received from tonight’s Ring of Honor celebration pic.twitter.com/pxYAK2MTbG
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) January 13, 2024
Former Bulls player and current Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also sounded off.
“It’s shameful. It’s absolutely shameful,” Kerr said, “I’m devastated for Thelma and the Krause family.
Even Bulls player DeMar DeRozan shared his thoughts.
“It just sucks their family had to endure something like that. You can never take away what he created. Without Jerry, there wouldn’t be the historic Chicago Bulls history. You gotta give him credit for as long as basketball is around.”
DeMar on the crowd booing Jerry Krause: “It just sucks their family had to endure something like that. You can never take away what he created. Without Jerry, there wouldn’t be the historic Chicago Bulls history. You gotta give him credit for as long as basketball is around.” pic.twitter.com/bkTaOJ8cz8
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) January 13, 2024
The Ring of Honor ceremony honored thirteen individual Bulls legends and the players, coaches and front-office members of that 1995-96 team.
Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson drew the evening’s loudest cheers. However, the team’s three most prominent players — Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman — were conspicuously absent. According to ESPN, Rodman was supposed to appear, but inclement weather scuttled his travel plans.
Jordan and Rodman did submit pre-recorded video messages accepting the honor.
Michael Jordan sent this message ahead of our Ring of Honor celebrations: pic.twitter.com/0HjOFFpXUj
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 12, 2024
Today’s weather prevented @DennisRodman from getting to Chicago, but it didn’t stop him from sending this message ahead of our Ring of Honor game: pic.twitter.com/CVjLZBYkA3
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 13, 2024
The inaugural class was feted at a private gala on Thursday at the United Center before being acknowledged on Friday during halftime of Friday night’s game.
The Bulls will have the Ring of Honor ceremony every two years. The next class will be inducted in 2026.
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