The Bulls’ Ring of Honor ceremony took place on Thursday night, but it was notably missing key figures Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Dennis Rodman was also absent, though there was optimism he might attend the halftime festivities during the Bulls’ game against the Warriors on Friday.
Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf expressed his desire for a better turnout, acknowledging the absence of the two foundational pieces of the dynasty. When asked about efforts to bring in Jordan and Pippen, Reinsdorf mentioned uncertainty about the extent of those efforts, acknowledging that not everyone could attend. A video message from Jordan, expressing disappointment at his inability to attend, was played during the dinner.
Despite the absence of these basketball legends, the show went on as Jerry Reinsdorf maintained a “the show must go on” approach. The gala included a red-carpet area, dinner, and a welcoming speech by Michael Reinsdorf, who explained the significance of the Ring of Honor for the organization.
While coaching legend Phil Jackson successfully contributed to healing relations between Jordan and the organization, Pippen’s situation proved more challenging. Fired from his ambassador/adviser role in 2020, Pippen’s efforts to reconcile with the organization fell through.
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The event aimed to express gratitude to players and staff, with Michael Reinsdorf emphasizing the importance of the returning players and staff in the Bulls’ history. Warriors coach Steve Kerr stole the spotlight, sharing stories about each honored player’s significance in basketball history.
Jerry Reinsdorf reflected on the meaningful presence of the returning players, expressing a wish for the late Jerry Krause to be present. Despite the notable absences, the ceremony was a celebration of the Bulls’ rich history, with memories like Jordan’s iconic shot against the Cavaliers in 1989 being cherished by those in attendance.
