Former Bulls GM Jerry Krause Defends Michael Jordan’s Gambling: “Good Deeds and Controversies”

Former Bulls GM Jerry Krause Defends Michael Jordan’s Gambling: “Good Deeds and Controversies”

Michael Jordan, renowned as one of the most iconic athletes in history, boasts an illustrious resume that places him at the forefront of any discussions regarding the GOAT. However, Jordan’s on-court excellence was accompanied by controversies surrounding his extensive gambling activities, which contributed to a perception of him as a villainous figure. Some fans maintain the belief that Jordan’s initial retirement was a cover-up for a suspension by NBA Commissioner David Stern due to his alleged gambling addiction. Nevertheless, insights from Roland Lazenby’s book, “Michael Jordan: The Life,” reveal that the Bulls’ former general manager, Jerry Krause, did not express any concerns regarding Jordan’s gambling behavior.

Jordan’s compulsive gambling once placed him at the center of a serious incident involving a murder case. After the unfortunate killing of a bail bondsman named Eddie Dow, investigators discovered three cheques amounting to $108,000 with Jordan’s name on them. This unexpected connection swiftly made Jordan a suspect in the case. Despite the negative impact of his gambling escapades on his reputation, the former General Manager of the Bulls held the view that it was not a significant concern.

Jerry Krause didn’t have any issue with Michael Jordan constantly gambling

While the media seemed to have had a huge problem with the 5-time MVPs gambling, the Chicago Bulls front office wasn’t bothered.

In Roland Lazenby’s book, Jerry Krause revealed his take on Jordan’s gambling. Defending his former star player, Krause simply stated that every player from the older era in the league would gamble with huge stakes.

Further, the 2-time NBA Executive of the Year also revealed that none of MJ’s off-court antics would have any effect on his performance on the court. Lauding him for always being professional, Krause stated that MJ kept doing charitable deeds… as well as preposterous things.

“Twenty years later, Krause offered his take on the matter, too. ‘I didn’t know that there were gambling issues,’ he said. ‘I knew he played cards on the airplane. You’d hear the guys yelling at one another. I didn’t know what the stakes were. Later on, I found out that they were very high. But all the great old-timers in the NBA used to gamble. I was used to that. I was used to guys playing cards. That’s the way of the NBA. As for Michael, it was just his way of living. So what? He had the money. He was never nonprofessional. That sucker showed up every night and he was ready to play. I saw him do tons of charitable things and good deeds. And tons of asinine things, too. He is who he is.’”

While the media often sought to tarnish Jordan’s reputation, his unparalleled dominance on the basketball court would ultimately overshadow any off-court controversies or fiascos. The Black Cat’s extraordinary skills and achievements would ultimately outshine any negative narratives surrounding him.

Phil Jackson suspected Krause’s involvement in Jordan’s name being roped in Eddie Dow’s murder

Amidst the worldwide shock caused by the allegations linking MJ to Eddie Dow’s murder, Phil Jackson, the former head coach of the Bulls, made a noteworthy assertion. Recognizing the lack of compatibility between Jordan and the Bulls’ then-general manager, Jackson voiced his concerns about the involvement of Jerry Krause in associating the six-time champion’s name with the murder case.

“That was surprising, considering that Krause worked in the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office in the late 1970s. The Lakers, according to former GM Pete Newell, employed off-duty LAPD vice officers to keep track of players’ activities. Phil Jackson would later accuse Krause, aka “The Sleuth,” of spying on the off-court activities of Bulls players, which Krause also denied.”

The Zen Master insinuated that Krause played a role in the situation, raising questions about the motivations behind the allegations.

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