When Jerry and Thelma Krause were booed by Chicago Bulls fans at last week's inaugural Ring of Honour ceremony, they were met with outpourings of support and encouragement from not only the franchise's important figures, but the whole NBA family.
On Wednesday, they even received a new heartwarming regard in the person of Bill Cartwright, with whom Jerry has a unique affinity both on and off the court.
Bill wrote a touching letter to defend Jerry and Thelma Krause
Courtesy of NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson, Cartwright personally wrote a letter to express his appreciation towards Krause.
As such, he also defended both Jerry and Thelma and aired his disappointment with how the Bulls fans have welcomed them into the Ring of Honor.
The full letter of Cartwright can be read here:
Throughout the course of my career, whether at USF, the New York Knicks or the Chicago Bulls, I have always watched, thought and, when it was the appropriate time, spoke.
The sight of Thelma Krause being booed while representing her husband--who was arguably one of the best general managers of all-time---was horrifying.
I knew Jerry and Thelma on a personal level. Jerry was a very inquisitive person, a great storyteller and a great GM. I enjoyed listening to his stories, especially baseball, as I was a huge baseball fan. I had a chance to scout with Jerry when he was scouting DeSagana Diop. Jerry had great insight into basketball and how to build a team with complementary players.
Thank God for Jerry Krause and Jerry Reinsdorf; they thought enough of me to trade me out of New York and to Chicago. It was a new start on my career and gave me a chance to win (multiple) NBA championships.
While playing for Chicago during a game with Indiana (in the 1993-94 season), I was hit in the throat. It left my larynx fractured and my left vocal cord paralyzed. It was truly devastating as I had no voice for a year. Jerry found the best throat doctor, Dr. Robert Sataloff in Philadelphia, to help me get my voice back. I don’t have a perfect voice now, but I do at least have one thanks to Jerry.
It’s a shame that only a few people truly knew what a kind person Jerry was.
How can something like winning six championships be that bad? How can the architect of those six championships be that bad?
Some of the best years of my life were when I was a Chicago Bull. This display, honestly, it does tarnish that legacy somewhat for me.
To the Chicago Bulls fans who booed, understand that not all the heroes of those amazing championship runs were on the court. Jerry Krause was instrumental to every single championship the Bulls won.
Respectfully,
Bill Cartwright
Cartwright and Krause formed a wonderful partnership in Chicago
Cartwright was notably known as the Bulls’ co-captain alongside Michael Jordan and the franchise’s main enforcer during the first three-peat era. For this, he couldn't be more thankful to Krause for bringing him to the Windy City and the glorious run that he experienced in his career.
As he retired, Bill still enjoyed the trust and confidence of Krause. He was tapped by the general manager to serve as an assistant in Phil Jackson's coaching staff during the Bulls’ second three-peat and was given the chance to take over as the team's head coach from 2001 to 2003.
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