The Chicago Bulls confirmed Tuesday that Jerry Krause, former general manager of the Bulls, has died at age 77.
Krause, a Chicago native, led the Bulls from 1985 to 2003 and presided over the Michael Jordan dynasty that led to six NBA championships in the 1990s. Krause was named NBA executive of the year twice, and was seen as a master of acquiring superior players and engineering superstars such as Jordan, Dennis Rodman, and Scotty Pippen, among others.
Although fans loved Krause when the Bulls were winning, they criticized him loudly during the years between and following the championships.
"Jerry was a key figure in the Bulls’ dynasty and meant so much to the Bulls, White Sox and City of Chicago," Michael Jordan said of Krause in a statement, ESPN reported. "My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Thelma, his family and friends,"
"The news of Jerry Krause’s death is a sad day for the Chicago Bulls and the entire NBA community," said Phil Jackson, coach of the Bulls during the Jordan years, ESPN reported. "He was a man determined to create a winning team in Chicago — his hometown."
According to ABC News, Bulls executive VP of operations John Paxson said Krause "had a great eye for talent, and his ability to build a team is unrivaled. He’s one of the best the league has ever seen."
Twitter was complimentary about Krause’s accomplishments.
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