Isiah Thomas Calls Out Michael Jordan and Bulls for Mistreatment of Former GM Jerry Krause

NBA great Isiah Thomas recently took to social media to express his displeasure over the continued disdain toward former Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause. Thomas defended Krause’s legacy during an interaction with fans on X (formerly Twitter), saying the GM was underappreciated for his role in creating the Bulls’ winning dynasty. His remarks reignited a heated discussion about Krause’s accomplishments and the tense dynamics within the Bulls organization.

When it comes to the Bulls’ rise to glory in the 1990s, Thomas, who guided the Detroit Pistons through their “Bad Boys” era, offers a different perspective. After all, before Michael Jordan and the Bulls overtook them, the Pistons dominated the Eastern Conference. Thomas still thinks highly of Krause and feels his contribution to building one of the greatest teams in NBA history has been unfairly overlooked, despite their differences.

On X, Thomas shared his thoughts with fans, calling Krause a “genius” who was instrumental in the Bulls’ six titles. “I have great respect for Jerry Krause,” Thomas wrote in a tweet. “He was a genius who deserved far more respect than the Bulls unfortunately gave him.”

Thomas pointed to Krause’s pivotal decisions, such as adding versatile players like Toni Kukoc, who Thomas said was a “brilliant” acquisition. Kukoc’s ability to stretch the court with his shooting and playmaking skills as a 2.08-m forward helped cement the Bulls’ place as a dominant force during their second straight three-peat in the late ’90s.

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Krause’s role in building the Bulls dynasty

While Thomas and many other keen observers of the game point out that Krause’s efforts in management cannot be ignored, the Bulls’ dynasty of the 1990s is often viewed through the prism of Michael Jordan’s greatness. Krause made decisions that paid off, most notably negotiating Scottie Pippen’s contract in the 1987 NBA draft. Jordan found the ideal complementary player in Pippen, whom he acquired from the Seattle SuperSonics, and the two transformed the Bulls into title contenders.

Krause oversaw the addition of key players to Chicago, including Dennis Rodman, Horace Grant, and Steve Kerr. All of these players contributed significantly to the Bulls’ run to the title and helped build a team that dominated the NBA for nearly a decade. In addition to Jordan’s exceptional talent, Krause assembled a supporting cast that helped elevate Jordan to GOAT status, which contributed to the success of the Bulls dynasty.

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The controversial end of the Bulls dynasty

While Krause’s talent in building the Bulls team is undeniable, his legacy took a darker turn toward the end of the franchise’s dominance. Krause became increasingly unpopular due to his insistence that “front offices win championships, not players.” This sentiment did not sit well with the team, particularly Jordan and head coach Phil Jackson, leading to friction within the organization.

The ESPN documentary The Last Dance exposed this tension, which came to a head during the Bulls’ 1997-98 season. Jackson and Krause’s relationship deteriorated, and Krause made it clear that Jackson would not return to coach the team after the season, no matter what. Jordan, who had long supported Jackson, said he would not play for another coach. After the Bulls won their sixth title, Jordan announced his second retirement and key players like Pippen were traded, ending the team’s success. Krause made that decision.

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Isiah Thomas stands firm

Thomas responded to the widespread belief that Krause was responsible for the Bulls’ collapse with a series of tweets. He suggested that rather than being demonized, Krause should be honored for his role in creating the foundations that allowed Jordan and the Bulls to dominate the NBA.