If the Chicago Bulls’ plan to create the Ring of Honor was to celebrate with two of the best players in franchise history, it failed in spectacular fashion.
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen did not attend Thursday’s ceremony. Jordan did send a video message thanking the Reinsdorf family and apologizing for his absence.
Bulls President Jerry Reinsdorf talks to Joe Cowley chicago sun times He’s not sure how much effort went into getting Jordan and Pippen to attend the event.
“I actually don’t know how much work went into this,” Reinsdorf said. “Obviously it would be better if everyone was here, but we know not everyone can be here. I believe Michael recorded something.”
Cowley also noted that Dennis Rodman, who was expected to attend Thursday, was “unexpectedly absent” Thursday, but the team expects him to be at the United Center for the halftime celebration during halftime of Friday’s game. Game against the Golden State Warriors.
Bulls president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf tried to explain why Jordan and Pippen were not at the party, noting that the inaugural Ring of Honor class was recently announced.
“I’m excited for everyone to come, but we announced this six weeks ago,” Michael Reinsdorf said. “People have scheduling issues, so this is just our way of saying thank you to the players and staff, so that’s what we’re looking forward to.”
One might think that before the announcement ceremony, they might try to coordinate schedules with the two most important players on the team who helped the team win six NBA championships.
Of course, it’s also possible that Jordan and/or Pippen still have bad feelings about members of the organization. It’s well documented that Jordan and Jerry Reinsdorf clashed multiple times over the years.
Pippen didn’t seem particularly upset about being fired as a senior advisor to the Bulls in 2020.
The Ring of Honor extravaganza isn’t entirely lacking in star power. Phil Jackson, Steve Kerr, Ron Harper, Toni Kukoc and Luke Longley were all there.
Chicago included the entire 1995-96 team, which won a then-NBA record 72 games during the regular season and became the first teams in history to be inducted into the Ring of Honor.