When Jerry Krause visited this city a year ago, he said all the right things as he watched Michael Jordan play the Bulls in an opposing team’s uniform for the first time.
But Krause barely watched the Jan. 4, 2002 game, spending most of the night catching up with an old friend from the Wizards organization. His expression when talking about Jordan seemed to indicate he’d rather have gone fishing.
Tuesday, as Krause watched the Bulls practice at the MCI Center, all he fished for was another compliment to praise the greatest player in franchise history. Krause also joined the United Center faithful in giving Jordan a standing ovation last Thursday night.
Although Jordan and Krause certainly didn’t break bread Tuesday night, a sense of perspective allows Krause to acknowledge that he enjoys watching Jordan play in a different uniform.
“He plays the right way,” Krause said. “He plays it with his mind and his body. There has probably never been an athlete as good as he is. But there have been some great athletes who haven’t done what they could have done because they didn’t have his mind.”
The Jordan-Krause relationship always has been one of Krause seeking Jordan’s acceptance more than vice versa.
But of late there has been a wistfulness to Krause’s take on the relationship, a sense of perspective that only time can bring.
He even suggested that Jordan might carry a different opinion of him–dare he say an appreciation–now that Jordan has worn the general manager’s hat.
“I don’t know that he has because I haven’t talked to him about it,” Krasue said. “But I do know that once you do this job, guys get an appreciation for it.”
Jordan’s remarks last week in Chicago suggested a softening from his perspective as well.
This is Jordan’s fourth game against the Bulls, and there’s no question he loves being 3-0 against his former team. What is surprising is how much Krause enjoys the series.
“He’s the best player who ever lived,” Krause said.
