CHICAGO, April 7 (UPI) -- Jerry Krause, who provided Michael Jordan with the supporting cast that helped the Chicago Bulls win six
NBA titles, resigned as executive vice president on Monday, citing health reasons.
The 64-year-old Krause is stepping down after 18 seasons on the job, ending a tenure that was among the most successful in NBA history.
"The rigors and stress of the job have caused me some minor physical problems in the past few years," Krause said. "Those problems can be eliminated if I lessen my load for a while and concentrate on overcoming them. My first obligation is to accomplish that for my wife, children and grandchildren."
Rod Thorn was the Bulls' general manager who drafted Jordan, but it was Krause who put the players around him and added the coaching and administrative staff that helped win six NBA titles between 1991 and 1998.
Krause made a draft day trade for Scottie Pippen, drafted Horace Grant and B.J. Armstrong and traded for Bill Cartwright, Dennis Rodman and Luc Longley. Key signings made by Krause during the dynasty include Ron Harper and Bill Wennington.
A native of Chicago, Krause hired Phil Jackson as an assistant from the Continental Basketball Association and later named him coach.
Krause said he is leaving his job now to allow Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf to have a successor in place prior to the NBA draft.
