Part 9/10:
The 1998 season, marked by immense triumph, brought an abrupt end to their championship reign. Jordan’s last shot, the iconic buzzer-beater against Byron Russell, was followed by Krauss’s premeditated dismantling of the team. This led to Jackson's departure and Jordan’s subsequent second retirement, prompting intense criticism from Jordan in "The Last Dance" documentary, where he claimed Krauss had sabotaged the team’s chance at more championships.
Even decades later, in his Hall of Fame speech, Jordan made his disdain for Krauss clear, showing little acknowledgment of Krauss’s role in building a championship roster. Despite Krauss’s undeniable shortcomings in interpersonal relations, his contribution to assembling a successful team cannot be undermined.