The Chicago Bulls will honor some of their most influential people on Friday night when they host the Golden State Warriors.
Their inaugural Ring of Honor class features Artis Gilmore, Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Johnny “Red” Kerr, Dick Klein, Jerry Krause, Toni Kukoc, Bob Love, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Jerry Sloan, Chet Walker, Tex Winter, and the entire 1995-96 team, which won a then-record 72 regular-season games and won the 1996 NBA Championship.
However, Jordan, arguably the most important figure in NBA history, won’t be in attendance for the honor.
That’s why the legendary shooting guard wanted to make sure to send a message to the fans, thanking Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf for this initiative and setting this up, adding that he’s bummed about not being able to be there.
Michael Jordan sent this message ahead of our Ring of Honor celebrations: pic.twitter.com/0HjOFFpXUj
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 12, 2024
MJ never clarified why he’s not going to be in attendance, but fans speculate that it might have to do with his ongoing feud with Scottie Pippen.
Jordan has never addressed the situation directly, but Pippen has taken countless shots at him since “The Last Dance” premiered, and it’s a shame that it had to come down to this, assuming that’s the actual reason he’s not there.
The Bulls will review and honor other inductees every two years, with the criteria for the induction being an induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame or a banner in the United Center rafters.
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