Jerry Krause

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Krause’s path to the Bulls was paved by his obsession with spotting talent, a skill he honed while working for the Baltimore Bullets where he advocated drafting Jerry Sloan and Earl Monroe. He famously urged the Bullets to pick Phil Jackson in 1967; when they refused, he kept in touch as Jackson played and coached, eventually hiring him as head coach in 1989. Krause’s relationship with Jackson was complex; while Jackson managed to convince Michael Jordan to adopt Tex Winter’s Triangle Offense, Krause believed the coach took too much credit for the dynasty. His tenure included building the 1991–93 roster by trading Charles Oakley, Jordan’s best friend, for center Bill Cartwright to defend Patrick Ewing. This move, initially despised by Jordan, proved essential for three consecutive titles. Krause also pioneered weight training by hiring Al Vermeil and hired Karen Stack Umlauf, promoting her from secretary to director of basketball operations.

In Their Own Story

The morning of the 1986 NBA draft was a tense affair as Krause prepared to select Brad Sellers, a tall forward with a solid jumper, despite coaches and players pushing for Duke’s Johnny Dawkins. Even Doug Collins had told Mike Krzyzewski that Dawkins would be picked, but Krause stuck to his guns on Sellers. The summer following the pick saw Jordan mercilessly working out Sellers in practice, leading to the player's trade after three seasons. In 1987, Krause executed a pivotal maneuver by drafting Horace Grant and trading Olden Polynice for Scottie Pippen from Seattle, creating the trio of Jordan, Pippen, and Grant that would dominate the decade. His resolve was tested repeatedly; when Jordan referred to him as 'Crumbs' to mock his appearance, Krause remained fiercely non-communicative with the media. Later, after Jordan’s first retirement in 1993, Krause persuaded Toni Kukoč to leave Europe and join the Bulls, a move that helped the team win 55 games without their superstar. The story culminated in the 1998 championship, after which Krause dismantled the core, believing the roster had reached its limit.

Reader's Guide

To understand the Chicago Bulls' dynasty, one must study Jerry Krause’s specific transactions and philosophy. His tenure began on March 26, 1985, when he was hired by owner Jerry Reinsdorf. A key turning point occurred in 1976 during his first stint as director of player personnel; he wanted Robert Parish but owner Arthur Wirtz refused to negotiate with the agent’s representative, resulting in the selection of Scott May instead. Krause resigned just three months later over policy disagreements. His second coming was defined by aggressive roster turnover: trading Bill Cartwright for defensive stability and acquiring Dennis Rodman from San Antonio in 1995 to replace Will Perdue after Luc Longley emerged as the starting center. Krause’s philosophy prioritized team needs over individual stardom, leading him to fire Doug Collins in 1989 because Collins would not let Winter teach the Triangle Offense. He also scouted for baseball teams like the White Sox, where he helped sign Ozzie Guillén and Kenny Williams, who later led the team to a 2005 World Series. His legacy is defined by the six titles won between 1991 and 1998 and his unique ability to identify talent while enduring intense personal friction with the players he built.

Did You Know?

• Krause was nicknamed 'J. G. Taylor Krause' after sportswriter J. G. Taylor Spink because he wanted to be a writer but realized he was 'just a hack' at it.
• He traded Charles Oakley, Michael Jordan's best friend on the team, for Bill Cartwright while they were on their way to Las Vegas to watch a Mike Tyson fight.
• Krause hired Karen Stack Umlauf as a secretary, but she eventually became director of basketball operations after writing scouting reports and working out players.
• He scouted for the Chicago White Sox until 1984 and played a role in signing Ozzie Guillén, who would later manage the team to a 2005 World Series title.
• Michael Jordan allegedly referred to Krause as 'Crumbs' to mock his physical appearance and his desire to be seen as just one of the guys on the bus.