Legendary former Bulls GM Jerry Krause passed away at age of 77

Krause was a towering figure within the organization, presiding over six title teams which he helped build. He laid the foundation for Chicago’s dynasties of the 1990’s by drafting Scottie Pippen in 1987 and later acquiring Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, Dennis Rodman and Toni Kukoc, among others.

With them came success for the Bulls. Chicago first won three titles in a row between 1991 and 1993, when Pippen, along with Cartwright, Grant and B.J. Armstrong — another Krause acquisition — forming the core of the team along with Michael Jordan. Later in the decade when Jordan was in baseball, Krause retooled, trading for Rodman and bringing over Kukoc from Europe. Those two, along with Pippen and a rejuvenated Jordan, formed the basis for Chicago’s next three titles, including the 1995-96 team, often called the greatest ever.

Krause also carried on a long-standing feud with then-Bulls head coach Phil Jackson throughout the decade, which eventually ended after the 1997-98 season. Jackson, on a one-year deal, left the team along with Michael Jordan after winning the title — later returning to basketball to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. The two seemed to make up in 2011 when assistant coach and architect of the triangle offense Tex Winter was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

At the time of his death, Krause is a nominee for Hall of Fame induction in the contributor category.

Krause stayed on until 2003 when he retired from the job due to health concerns, including obesity. He would later work in baseball,  landing scouting jobs with the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Chicago White Sox. In 2011, he became a special assistant with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Before working with the Bulls, Krause was a scout with the Baltimore Bullets. He is credited with drafting Hall of Famer Earl Monroe.

Krause was battling health issues, including osteomyelitis, at the time of his death, reports the Tribune. The memorial service is scheduled for April 9.