“I Don’t Know Who Invited Him, I Didn’t”: When Michael Jordan Fired Shots At Jerry Krause

Michael Jordan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. The Jumpman headed the enshrinement list and graced the occasion, donning a gray suit. 

Following the release of Jordan’s 10-part docuseries, fans were elated to relive the historic 1997-98 NBA season once again. The first two episodes released so far have had a stellar cast, including Jordan, Scottie Pippen and even Barack Obama. 

However, Jerry Krause, the former GM of the Chicago Bulls, was undoubtedly stained in the series. He has been shown in a negative light in the first two episodes and we are waiting to see how it all unravels at the end. Krause passed away in 2017, because of which the team could not interview him about the incidents in the miniseries. 

Michael Jordan called out Krause in his enshrinement speech

When Michael Jordan had to make his mandatory speech at the Hall of Fame ceremony, he walked onto the stage and tried to compose himself. The six-time champion could not process the greatness he had achieved. Jordan broke into tears and became emotional. 

However, the candied side of Jordan lasted only for a few minutes before he jolted back to reality and started bashing his former foes. 

Jerry Krause was not among those in attendance for the 2009 ceremony. He was boycotting the ceremony for personal reasons. Although his former GM was not present, Jordan could not refrain from firing shots at him.

“I don’t know who invited him—I didn’t,” Jordan said of Krause during his induction speech into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

“He was a very competitive person, I was a very competitive person. He said, ‘Organizations win championships.’ I said, I didn’t see organizations playing with the flu in Utah. I didn’t see organizations playing with a bad ankle.”

Jordan pointed out how the players go out and win championships, while the organization just put together the team. “Don’t try to put the organization above the players.”

Jerry Krause’s relationship with the players and the coaches diminished with time. The players heavily disliked him for his practice of putting the organization before the benefit of the players. He often contradicted Jordan’s decisions and criticized him.

The portrayal of Jerry Krause as a villain in ‘The Last Dance’ wasn’t surprising to many. Probably it is something that we can expect to see more of in the upcoming episodes.