Welcome to Chicago, Illinois; home of the Bears, White Sox, Cubs, the Fire Football soccer club. But… None of these teams matter on this night. The Bulls were the hottest ticket in town for their first ever “Ring of Honor” in franchise history. You may ask: “Why are they doing it now after all these years?” Good question, who knows in all honesty.
But what was supposed to be a night of celebration, turned into embarrassment and confusion. All the 1996 Bulls team were present… Except the three players who were more memorable than any teammate who played a role in helping win a three-peat. It’s about to get khaotik and messy… Buckle up…
The 1996 Bulls team went 72-10 with the best record in NBA history at the time. The “Unstoppa-Bulls” as they were dubbed ran circles around opposing teams. If you were alive and had WGN-Tv Chicago, it was a concert every night. With success came internal issues further down the road as we found out in “The Last Dance.” But… If you were a fan who bought tickets for the “Ring of Honor,” you may want to get a refund.
Legendary head coach Phil Jackson was present, who received the loudest ovation. Role players took their ovations and waved to fans in the United Center. But… When the three important players were announced, each one had a message for all the fans. Dennis Rodman, who I have no issue with couldn’t be there, said if he were Superman, he’d fly there. Bulls’ fans can overlook that one in a sense and all would be well. He can step foot in Chicago and be adored any given day.
Scottie Pippen wasn’t in attendance either; his post Bulls tenure was semi successful and still managed to pop-up occasionally for games. No harm done but his feelings may linger from earlier in his career. Even as a senior advisor before being fired in 2020. Maybe the friction of how he was portrayed during the ten part documentary. It makes him a folklore hero at this point after all the truth in the documentary.
And here we are ladies and gentlemen… THEE face of Chicago’s dynasty and franchise. THEE undisputed GOAT…you may have heard of him: Michael Jordan. Yes, that MJ we see occasionally that every Bulls fan paid money to make an appearance to take his rightful place in Chicago’s Ring of Honor. But…fans got a video message prior to him being announced. Cue the loud sighs from fans all over the United Center.
Now… Here’s where I, as an unbiased MJ fan, must tell you the truth. It’s like rain, it doesn't matter who it falls on. If Michael Jordan is the greatest player in Chicago history, why didn’t he show up? It was a six week notice that this was going to be a night of celebration. He was at the NCAA College Football National Championship in the suite with ESPN “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith, rapper Travis Scott and whoever else was in the suite. You mean to tell me Michael Jordan couldn’t be in Chicago for the team he led to one of the greatest records in league history? Seriously, did Bulls fans miss the memo along the way?
What’s even more documented is MJ and Scottie’s off the court drama the last four years or so. If you’d told me Michael Jordan wasn’t going to attend the celebration, I’d sarcastically laugh and shrug as he once did in a playoff series. To skip this event was very hurtful to Bulls fans; to see the players who took the league by storm and dominated the 1996 NBA season. All the hype and build up to be disappointed for another reason which I’ll get to here shortly.
Where were the biggest mouths and sports personalities at this event? NBA on TNT and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley expressed his disappointment in MJ, Scottie, and Dennis for not being present. First Take panelist Chris “Mad Dog” Russo didn’t hold back either. All the media shrugged and left it alone. Even the biggest MJ fan of them all, Skip Bayless, didn't utter it on his show.
This leads me to another point: “Make it make sense! Everyone critiques LeBron James on his every move. It was a big deal he couldn’t attend Dwayne Wade’s Hall of Fame ceremony. “Oh, LeBron had other things to do; typical cop out for “King James.” LeBron had a legit reason ladies and gentlemen! His oldest son Bronny was recovering from cardiac surgery. Yet, the media fired off cannons and made a big deal. MJ on the other hand… “Oh, we can’t be unbiased because MJ will take it personal.”
To add more infliction to this embarrassing celebration, the man who built Chicago into a dynasty, the late Jerry Krause was shown on the jumbotron. Every fan booed him with wife Thelma to accept his honor. The woman broke down into tears as fans booed her late husband. She had nothing to do with how Jerry Krause conducted business. But the fans still hold a grudge against him for breaking up the Bulls dynasty. Ron Harper had to console her as fans laid into the images of Jerry Krause. This was classless, disrespectful, and hellacious to watch.
Regardless of how Bulls fans feel about Jerry Krause, that wasn’t the time nor place to discredit what he built in the 90s. If anything, they should be disappointed in MJ for not even being a part of the celebration. If Phil Jackson could be there, MJ should’ve been alongside his former coach. He and Scottie likely would’ve been on separate ends of the court.
The competitor in MJ still holds grudges against Jerry Krause. He mentioned The Reinsdorf family, no acknowledgement of Jerry Krause. Regardless of this failed celebration, Chicago took a loss to Golden State as well; where former Bull and current head coach Steve Kerr called out the fans postgame for booing Jerry Krause as his wife was in tears. And…Chicago blew a big lead and lost the game in Steph Curry fashion.
Michael Jordan may be the GOAT, but it’s events like this which many will overlook. The media will let it slide and use the narrative with Scottie Pippen to support their argument. Sports journalists who covered the Bulls in their prime won’t utter anything negative in fear of being side-eyed. As the world keeps turning, it’s another day in sports history in which the Chicago Bulls failed to do something special and ended with organized chaos. Cheers, jeers, and tears sums up their inaugural Ring of Honor. Let this be a lesson learned on how not to screw up a night of celebration for your franchise’s accomplishments.
Stai tuned…
