Chicago Bulls: Takeaways From The Last Dance Documentary

2. Jerry Krause was the reason the Bulls dynasty ended

On multiple occasions, if one thing is clear, it’s that the Bulls never wanted it all to end. However, before the 1997-98 season began, with general manager Jerry Krause calling Phil Jackson into his office, saying that the sixth championship run would be his last, at that point, everyone knew it was all over.

In Episode Ten, even Jordan acknowledges that if Bulls management and ownership was to offer Steven Kerr, Dennis Rodman, Phil Jackson, and Scottie Pippen a chance at a seventh championship, they’d all take it.

However, what was clear from the very beginning was that Krause was always in the background and felt like he never got the credit he deserved. In any sport, general managers and front offices assemble teams but it’s players who win championships. That’s all there is to it.

While Pippen did acknowledge that much of his success came due to Krause, it all got to a point where Krause wanted to do things his way and rather than reload for a seventh title, Krause thought it’d be best to go ahead and rebuild, despite owner Jerry Reinsdorf wanting Phil Jackson back for another title.