Published 12:22 IST, May 18th 2020

Jerry Krause's decision to break up the '98 Bulls team explained in unfinished memoir

In his unfinished memoir, Jerry Krause apparently defended his decision to break up the Bulls team after they won their sixth NBA championship in 1998.

Reported by: Devika Pawar
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finale episodes of Michael Jordan's Last Dance premiered on Sunday (Monday IST), highlighting Jordan's final championship run for Chicago Bulls. Something that was touched upon in first episode itself, general manr Jerry Krause was vocal about 1998 team t returning for next season. In his unfinished memoir, Jerry Krause apparently defended his decision to break up Bulls team after ir sixth NBA title. Here is what Krause said about Bulls break up.

Also read | Jerry Krause death: How did former Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krause die?

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Why Did Jerry Krause break up Bulls? Bulls break up explained by Krause

Jerry Krause's family provided an excerpt of his memoir to NBC Sports Chicago's KC Johnson, where Krause defended his decision while talking about Dennis Rodman's behaviour, Luc Longley's decline and Scottie Pippen's injury during 1997-98 season, which might have made asking Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan to stay for one more season nearly impossible. Krause wrote that re was chance y could ask Phil Jackson to stay with only Jackson remaining along with a new bench which would have to trust Jordan entirely. 

Also read | Michael Jordan leaves Bulls: When Michael Jordan fired back at Jerry Krause for 'Organisations win championships' claim

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While talking about team, Jerry Krause also revealed that one apart from a select few people were aware of aftermath of Bulls sixth championship. He called out people of accusing m of breaking up team y worked so hard on due to ir egos. He even spoke about NBA Draft pick and how last pick every year would t help m rebuild after ir core team would retire.

Krause also believed that acquiring Toni Kukoc was lucky for team. He even wrote about Jordan's finger injury, which would have made him miss out on season if he played. Jordan, according to Krause, stuck to his word about t playing for next season. 

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Also read | Bulls break up and Michael Jordan leaves Bulls: Who was Jerry Krause? Did Bulls GM's feud with Michael Jordan lead to team's break up?

Jerry Krause, who passed away at 77 in 2017, has face criticism after Last Dance has been released. After Bulls won ir sixth championship, NBA legend anunced his second retirement. Jackson moved on to Los Angeles Lakers, who he led to a three-peat along with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. Scottie Pippen was traded to Houston Rockets, which he referred to as a favour for Bulls forward.

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While thing can be said for sure, many fans believed that team would have continued to win if y had t broken up. In April, Dennis Rodman added that team would have won a fourth straight title 'easily' had it t taken place.

Also read | Michael Jordan leaves Bulls: Is Swackhammer in Jam inspired by Jerry Krause? Last Dance has fans wondering about Bulls break up and Krause

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12:22 IST, May 18th 2020