SUMMARY
- Jerry Krause was the mastermind behind forming the 90s Bulls dynasty.
- The general manager decided against re-signing Phil Jackson as the head coach wining the 1997 NBA Finals.
Jerry Krause was certainly one of the many great things that happened to the Chicago Bulls during the 90s. This team ended up becoming the most dominant dynasty the NBA had ever since. While Krause definitely deserves credit for his ability to retain and acquire pivotal figures for the team, the players and coaching staff have to be acknowledged for the amount of hard work that they put in.
Following the 1997 NBA Finals run, the Bulls were five-time world champions on the verge of achieving their second three-peat. Krause was beginning to think that the Bulls needed a revamp as players besides Michael Jordan were entering their last productive years. Players and coaches watch a lot of tape ahead of games, and the Bulls were bound to be understood at some point.
But Jordan was adamant. He did not want his teammates or roster to be tampered with. During the 1997 NBA Finals post-game press conference, Jordan said, “Have a sense of respect for the people who have laid the groundwork, so that you could be a profitable organization.” This was in response to the rumors regarding a potential rebuild the Bulls were planning to move towards.
During the same interview, Jordan also learned that Jerry Krause was trying to bring in another head coach in place of Phil Jackson. Krause’s main motive was to prove he was the mastermind behind it all rather than acknowledging the existing success they had achieved. In The Last Dance documentary series, Krause also had a replacement in mind, Tim Floyd, head coach at Iowa State during the 90s.
Phil Jackson won three more rings after leaving the Bulls and Jerry Krause
The tensions began to turn into evident reasons for Jackson to leave. He still wanted to make things work and push the Bulls to a potential sixth championship. Ultimately, it was Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Bulls who worked things out. The Bulls ended up re-signing Jackson to a one-year deal through the 1997-98 season. They proved the organization wrong once again by achieving a second three-peat.
Phil Jackson was inducted to the Bulls Ring of Honor 🙌
(via @NBCSBulls)pic.twitter.com/ojbHcZhnBw
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 13, 2024
The Bulls weren’t a successful team before Jackson appeared. They had no championship or finals appearances. Jackson ended up leaving and so did the trio of MJ, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman. People believe that if Jerry Krause had maintained his composure, the Bulls would’ve potentially won another title. Interestingly, Jackson three-peated with the Los Angeles Lakers between 2000 and 2003.