Jerry Krause Once Compared Michael Jordan To Elgin Baylor And Earl Monroe

Jerry Krause, former Bulls vice-president, drew intriguing parallels between Michael Jordan and legends Elgin Baylor and Earl Monroe, shedding light on Jordan's unmatched intensity and charisma on the court.

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Credit: Fadeaway World

  • Krause compared Jordan’s focus and intensity to Elgin Baylor
  • Drawing from Earl Monroe’s showmanship, Krause marveled at how Jordan played the crowd
  • Jordan’s leaps and unpredictable moves left even Krause in awe 

In basketball history, Michael Jordan stands as the ultimate icon, a man who elevated the game to unprecedented heights. Yet, beyond the dunks and championships, it was Jerry Krause, the former Bulls vice-president, who once painted a vivid portrait of Jordan by drawing intriguing parallels between him and two legends of the sport, Elgin Baylor and Earl Monroe.

Krause’s insights, shared during an interview, go deep into the nuances of Jordan’s game, his impact, and the uncanny resemblances he held to these storied figures. In an interview with Rick Talendar at Sports Illustrated, he opened up on his views:

“He’s got a lot of Elgin in him, and a lot of Earl. Baylor had that intensity and carriage. And nobody played the crowd like Monroe.”

Krause also recalled how Jordan’s jumps defied gravity, how his every move seemed to have no plan yet flowed seamlessly, captivating audiences and players alike.


History Between Michael Jordan And Jerry Krause

The history between Michael Jordan and Jerry Krause is a complex and multi-faceted one, marked by both success and tension. Jerry Krause was the general manager of the Chicago Bulls during the majority of Michael Jordan’s iconic basketball career, from 1985 to 1998. Their relationship evolved over the years, and while they achieved remarkable success together, they also faced significant conflicts.

In the 1984 NBA Draft, Jerry Krause made one of the most significant decisions in basketball history by selecting Michael Jordan as the third overall pick for the Chicago Bulls. Under Krause’s leadership, the Bulls built a team around Jordan that would go on to win six NBA championships in the 1990s. 

This solidified Jordan’s status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time and elevated the Bulls to unprecedented heights.

Despite the success on the court, tension between Jordan and Krause began to emerge. Krause’s management style and statements in the media created friction. Jordan felt that Krause didn’t give enough credit to the players for the team’s success and believed that the comment minimized his contributions.

The tension extended beyond Jordan. The Bulls’ successful coach, Phil Jackson, had a contract dispute with the management, leading to his decision to leave the team after the 1997-1998 season. Jordan and other players were vocal about their support for Jackson, and this further strained the relationship between the players and management, including Krause.

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Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
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