Phil Jackson says Jerry Krause is worthy of a ‘Hall of Fame’ induction – NBA News
Legendary NBA head coach Phil Jackson has put his weight behind Jerry Krause to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
The former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers head coach doesn’t exactly see eye to eye with Krause, but recognized his contributions to the Bulls dynasty in a recent interview.
Krause was General Manager of the Chicago Bulls when they won 6 NBA World Championships in the 1990s, spearheaded by a certain mister Michael Jordan. Although Jordan and Scottie Pippen shone on the court and Jackson sparkled on the sidelines during that era, Krause is also recognized for the good work he did in the front office that allowed all of it to happen.
“I think it will happen,” Jackson said in a radio interview on WMVP-AM 1000 regarding Krause chances of getting into the Hall of Fame. “The Hall of Fame is a strange institution. Because it’s about fame almost more than anything else.”
Jackson stated that Krause had indeed proven his credentials over a long period of time, and would certainly be worthy for earning that final feather in his cap. He also touched on the fact that the Hall of Fame often overlooks the contributions of people in the front office, choosing to focus more on the players or even the coaches.
“Jerry has made a name for himself in basketball, and it will probably be there for a long time. He was executive of the year and so forth. But the Hall is more interested in players coming in rather than executives or — matter of fact I think coaches and players probably first and then perhaps executives. So getting around to executives coming in the Hall of Fame I think will take a bit and take a concerted effort.” He said.
Jackson’s remarks hold significant weight because of the animosity that has fostered between him and Krause for over a decade. The two didn’t get along at all during their Chicago Bulls days and that dynasty was broken up because of their disagreements. Jackson though has shown real character by recognizing a man he didn’t speak to for over a decade.
It was only at the behest of Tex Winter, Jackson’s long-time assistant and inventor of the famous “triangle offense”, that the two shook hands at his Induction ceremony.
Jackson’s remarks also reflect on the enormous work done by Jerry to help the Bulls become a formidable force in the Jordan era.
Even though he wasn’t responsible for bringing Michael Jordan to the Bulls, he was completely responsible for every other cog in the Bulls machinery. Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant and later Dennis Rodman, all now celebrated pillars of the Bulls history, were brought in by Krause.
And so was Phil Jackson.
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