Knicks · Mildly OT: The Last Dance on Netflix: spellbinding but should be called "The Maligning of Jerry Krause" (page 1)

He deserved a ton of credit for building of the Bulls. Even the hiring of Phil Jackson was inovative on his part. Drafting Kukoc in the 2nd round. But at the same time, there is no reason for him to have had the stance that Phil had to go. That if MJ only wanted to play for Phil then thats his decision.

They go on to miss the playoffs the next 5 years, until he resigns in 03. So what did he gain by those decisions? He could have rode that bus until the wheels fell off. Then rebuilt the team to his desires again after that. He didn't have force the breakup.

Rod Thorn Drafted Jordan. He fell to him at number three. He and others never understood how great he would be. He just kept getting better and better. Great stroke of good fortune.
I will stay consistant and shift much of the issues he had to owner Reinsdorph who obviously drove the finances and perhaps macro direction of the team.
It is my belief that after 8 seasons it was time. Did they deserve to defend it? Yeah. But Money matters. Pippen had back issues and wanted to get paid. They should have. Thats been documented. Jordan was being paid 33milliion that last season. If he went to another team he gets paid about 18mm. That was the top level.
Make no bones about the expansion in that era had diluted the league! Bulls were good but the league was weakened at that time. Was listening to BIll Simmons recently and he outlined a plausable arguement outlining the scenario. 72 wins in the era. There were great, Jordan is GOAT, but the era matters. Does it matter? Not really.
Lets just be clear and understand Krause firing collins was not a popular move but..........Hiring Phil was genius. But in time Phil did not like or respect Krause either. In that era GM's did not get the glory. He was no Pat Riley! He had no physical stature and his napoleonic approach was not appreciated.
The back ground to all this has to be Reinsdorf. He pays the bills. Do you let your GM tear it down to prove his own ego? Thats crazy. Owner has to have some hand in that. Its also notable that all good things must come to an end. I do believe Jordan if he was as pure as depicted could not have just played for money. That being the 33mm vs going to another team for 18mm.
As they headed to 1999 season and pending strike, jordan also cut a tendon in his hand with a cigar cutter. Pippen wanted big money, Phil was entitled to big money, Rodman was north of 35 as well. It was time.
As all this goes on Jordan as great as he his also beocmes a dick.
Jerry is in the HOF and now deceased. I think he has written a memoir and perhaps it needs to see the light of day. He is no doubt deserving of his malignment but to what extent. Gm's and owners vs players. Its an old adversarial issue through out the history of professional sports. Krause painted his way into a corner and Jordan is not the type to relent.

I thought it was kind of lame when after winning the chip, he said it was a huge victory for the organization (as though the players had nothing to do with it). He was good at his job, but there was just something about him that leaves me feeling I just don't like him- I've no idea why or what- it's probably unfair of me!

What were his moves after the breakup of the bulls? I can't remember the site that lists them

Yeah, just like when Robert Kraft stepped in during the Jimmy G situation, I don't think Reinsdord would passively sit in the background...unless he wanted it. This isn't Melo or Bernard King or even Clyde....this is the most dominant and influential player in the world. Unfortunately, Krause is dead and makes for an easier target.

smackeddog wrote:I thought it was kind of lame when after winning the chip, he said it was a huge victory for the organization (as though the players had nothing to do with it). He was good at his job, but there was just something about him that leaves me feeling I just don't like him- I've no idea why or what- it's probably unfair of me!

The Doc does sets him up as the villain. Jordan was relentless and the hero of the story. Even his HOF speech he hits him up.
His moves after the double three peat were not great. He did a good job with with Brand and Artest in a short era then he got real cute and doubled down with Eddy/Tyson and it blew up. Krause maneuvered to get Pippen, hired Collins which for 3 years elevated the team but Collins did not want to go in the Triangle. Phil was bought in as Collins assistant but was encouraged to suck Tex winters brain and would appear Krause was enthralled with it. It was brilliant how it all came together.
Seems both Krause and Jordan both had personality flaws that made for a less than affectionate outcome. Both in my opinion are correct. Jordan needed the organization to fill out a roster and a culture. Krause did that by elevating the coaching over time and some pretty good savvy moves along the way. The players get the glory and deservingly so.

Well Scottie Pippen wasn't no choir boy, but
All bulls were great (6 nba titles) as they

ALL Was selfish, from higher uppers mgt Krause,
Reinsdorf,..

To the other parts trio amigos
JORDAN, JACKSON & PIPPEN.

Don't blame him for sitout nor agree
But contract wise he got screwed

Which Jordan and Jackson
Comments on it selfishly didn't help
Pippen.

$wasn't Jordan nor Phil action Jackson
Battle , they not mgmt. Needed to.mind
Their own business! Business wise

Both Phil n Mike made it public
That Pippen butt needed to report to
Camp !

As a Knicks fan, I don't like Pippen
But he's respected

Nuff said 🤛
✋🏼😎🤔
😑

I can't help but chuckle at Pippens' completely unapologetic stance on the controversial things he did, can't help but find it endearing

I only saw Jordan play live once. It was right before he retired the first time. My wife's youngest brother is 11 years younger than me and is a huge Net fan. He loved Derrick Coleman and the Nets were playing an exhibition game at the Carrier dome against the Bulls. We were able to get tickets and took him to the game. Coleman ended up not playing. Jordan played the first half and was amazing. Jordan ended the first half by hitting a half court shot at the buzzer. It was an amazing performance and it was an exhibition game.
I remember at the time hearing/reading a lot of speculation that DC could have played if he wanted to. Not sure if that was true but MJ put on a show. It didn't seem like an exhibition game to him.