Jerry Krause explains why the Bulls’ dynasty unraveled, in his words

[Roundball_Rock]

Wennington was comparable offensively but he was a poor rebounder and offered no rim protection. Longley was no Mutumbo but he gave the Bulls some blocks and some boards.

Pippen was a selfish malcontent with a broken down back and needed to be moved.

Krause tried that (e.g., for T Mac), Jordan vetoed it because he didn't want to play without Pippen. Is that Krause's fault? Perhaps he could have overruled MJ but we know MJ would have taken his marbles home and quit under that scenario.

Mike was still the best player in the league.

And? He didn't want to play unless he got his way: the same coach, Pippen (I guess MJ subscribed to the "No Pip..." theory), etc. If Jackson said he was leaving anyway, and MJ wouldn't play for any other coach, what is Krause supposed to do about that?

For PR purposes and history purposes Krause should have tried to bring the band back but I don't see how it would have happened if Jackson was gone, Pippen wanted superstar dollars (MJ selfishly consumed 84% of the entire team's 98' cap number--how much money could they give Pippen?), and MJ wouldn't play in the sandbox unless he had his security blankets there. There is no point bringing Rodman, Kerr, etc. back if Jordan, Pippen, and Jackson are gone.

[brooks_thompson]

Yeah, I guess in real life you should run it back til you lose, but Krause’s designs helped put the cherry on top of the Michael Jordan legend, which is larger than life, so he does deserve credit for that. No one wanted to see Jordan lose. Reinsdorf deserves more blame than he gets as the freakin’ owner.

Mark Cuban not letting the Mavs run it back was worse management. Dirk ended up having to spend the last 8 years of his career without a PO series win because Cuban had pipe dreams of Deron Williams and Dwight Howard.

[iamgine]

Also MJ apparently had a season ending injury that summer so there's really no point.

[Soundwave]

Jordan should've just told the Bulls to screw off and went to LA with Phil and enjoyed another 3-4 title wins there.

He was still a top end, MVP candidate when he first came to Washington at age 38, leading them to a 26-21 record before tearing his knee and requiring surgery.

Krause wanted to show he could build a championship team on his own ... not so easy to even build a consistent playoff contender when you don't have the best player ever.

[PP34Deuce]

Way too much emotion and female energy on an otherwise very clear reason. The team was old. The older star players did not want to compromise with ownership. Phil was definitely going to leave regardless. He doesnt stay long tenures like pop or jerry sloan. He saw Kobe shaq and parts that could move faster. Bulls team was on fumes and it is disrespect to not include that the bulls facing that Knicks team would have resulted in an easy series.

[Duncan21formvp]

This is not a problem if you have LeBron James.

Jordan never lost with HCA, while Lebron lost 3 years in a row with it including to a career loser in Dwight Howard. Lebron also got swept when many considered him the best in the league. Jordan never got swept when he was considered the best in the league. Lebron was also down 3-2 every year of his career including 5 years in a row with HCA.