Jerry Krause, the general manager of the Chicago Bulls during a time when they won six NBA championships in eight seasons, died on Tuesday. He was 77.
Krause was a former professional basketball scout and general manager for several National Basketball Association teams, including the Baltimore Bullets. He served as GM for the Bulls from 1985-2003. With players like Michael Jordan, the Bulls under Krause won three straight NBA championships from 1991-93. After Jordan's temporary retirement and other personnel changes, they failed to make it to the finals in 1994 and 1995. With Jordan's return and a rebuilt team led by coach Phil Jackson, the Bulls proceeded to win three straight championships again, from 1996-1998. Krause was a two-time recipient of the NBA's Executive of the Year award. He retired as the Bulls' GM in 2003 for health reasons.