Jerry Krause's Legacy Isn't as Simple as it Seems Despite Destruction of Bulls Dynasty

Jerry Krause, who passed away in 2017, isn't here to defend his decision-making in effectively ending the Chicago Bulls dynasty thanks to some very public feuds with Phil Jackson, Scottie Pippen and even Michael Jordan. Frankly, that's not our intention either.

Krause is the punching bag MJ, Pippen and Jackson would prefer he be after the first two episodes of 'The Last Dance', but painting him as merely an evil figure is an over-simplification.

Krause was hired as the Bulls GM straight out of a different sport, literally -- he had been a baseball scout prior to convincing Chicago to take a chance on him. Up until 1998, it worked out wonderfully, with a series of critical moves to surround Jordan with talent firmly enriching his legacy. He made the right moves, until he didn't -- and Krause's flaws are so obvious and debilitating they cloud the rest of his career as a general manager.

Eventually, his ego surpassed his basketball mind, and that's when his players began to lose respect for the latter skill. Krause feuded with Jackson, stating his time with the Bulls was up regardless of how many games he won in '98. He threatened to (and eventually did) trade away Pippen, and even drove away the greatest basketball talent of all time. All three still use Krause as a crutch to this day, and they're not completely unjustified in doing so.

The very public disagreements between players, coaches and management put Krause in a difficult situation. In many situations -- including reportedly with Jackson's last contract -- owner Jerry Reisndorf intervened and made his own call that Phil would be shown the door.

There was no attempt to revive such a relationship, and as we'll soon likely find out, even more was done to widen this rift behind closed doors. Both Pippen and Jordan publicly berated Krause over his decision-making and personality, signaling the end of a dynasty months before the deconstruction would actually occur.

Krause takes the blame -- and he should -- but suggesting his actions alone cost Chicago more championships is ignoring the motivation and influence of the other parties involved.

One man cannot end a dynasty of this magnitude.