Wednesday, 04 December 2024

Jerry Krause

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2024
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Sport(s): Basketball Executive and Baseball Scout
Statistics: 6 NBA Championships (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 & 1998)
2 The Sporting News Executive of the Year Awards (1988 & 1996)
Member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Jerry Krause had an eye for talent, not only in basketball but in baseball, as he scouted in both sports for multiple teams. As his name rose, his contacts grew, and he became the surprise choice for the general manager position for the Chicago Bulls in 1985.

Krause already had Michael Jordan, who was drafted the year before. Krause built a team around him from top to bottom, complete with Phil Jackson as his head coach and assembling a roster that complemented Jordan's talents. In theory, he had to do it twice.

The Chicago Bulls would win the 1991, 1992, and 1993 NBA Championship, and the term "three-peat" was coined. Jordan shocked the sports world by retiring and trying his hand in baseball, and when he returned during the 1994-95 season, Krause had to put new components around his superstar.

Krause would do it again, and with a different supporting cast, the Bulls had another three-peat (1996-98), and had he and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf not believed that the aging team needed to be blown up, they could have potentially contented for a seventh title.

There was, however, a lot of criticism towards Krause by fans and media and a complicated relationship between him and his head coach, Phil Jackson, and star player, Jordan. Despite the condemnation of Krause in some circles, this is still the general manager who built a basketball dynasty, and only a handful of executives can make that claim.

Krause stepped down in 2003 citing fatigue, and when he finally went back to work, it was to scout baseball players again.

We are proud to nominate Jerry Krause for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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