badrogue17 wrote:
Players didn't want to sign here for years because of Jerry Krause who never had a hint of impropriety regarding race but OMG MJeff didnt like him and that was enough for players to avoid the Bulls. Everyone in the league knew about Sterling but they still signed to play for him . So in essence they considered Krause to be more reprehensible than Sterling, until 2 days ago. Sorry they can take their faux outrage and jam it.
Krause was a double dealer who went back on his word, notably he'd want players to accept his verbal commitment and then he would low ball them at signing time after they had lost their negotiating leverage. He got MJ to redo his contract in order for Cliff Levingston to be signed and then changed the terms for Levingston, screwing him out of what was promised and jamming up Jordan. I know of some other players who were interested in coming to Chicago and willing to put up with Jordan's shit to get a ring, but Krause wanted them to essentially negotiate against their selves. Its one thing to try to get them to sign for the veteran minimum, another to not guarantee them a contract. Conversely, if Krause liked/wanted a player he was quick to offer them a contract with favorable terms (Dennis Hopson, Rodney McCray).
The funny thing about MJ having such an enduring ability to badmouth Krause is that Krause could/should have been able to easily overcome the accusations/perception. That is part of why players have agents, to avoid misinformation and disinformation.
As for players signing with Sterling, there is a CBA that they are bound by. The players have NBA contracts and Sterling's team is a part of that NBA. There are teams throughout sports where the players would rather not play, and if not for their unions there could be widespread disparity between playing for a team like the Yankees, or the Mavericks, and having to play for some raging skinflint asshole.