Rozner: Bulls' run ended when egos dare

For those who didn't live through it, or those who just don't remember how bad it was, "The Last Dance" is providing a devastating and - at the same time - thoroughly entertaining and heart-pounding look at the end of a dynasty.

As it concluded, nearly all of the monstrous egos involved forgot the most basic aspect of the six Bulls titles, that not one of them would have a ring in Chicago without Michael Jordan.

He was the reason, period.

Others played their roles, important roles, but reality got away from all of them as money, fame and pride divided and ultimately conquered.

By the finale, Scottie Pippen had forgotten that GM Jerry Krause brought him to Chicago, and that it was his own decision to sign a bad contract, a contract that by NBA regulations could not be renegotiated.

It was Phil Jackson forgetting that Krause took him off the street and gave him a job as an assistant, eventually firing Doug Collins in a very, very unpopular move and installing Jackson as head coach, allowing him to reap the benefits of sitting courtside near the GOAT.

And it was Krause forgetting it was Jordan that made them all champions.

The GM didn't get enough credit for finding the pieces to put around Jordan, but the personal attacks he endured made it impossible for Krause to quench his thirst for praise and attention, Jordan's anger toward him turning the basketball world against the GM.

This went on for more than a decade, and it wasn't just the last tango that was ugly.

The disgust and mistrust - you could even say hatred - that enveloped the second Bulls three-peat had begun many years before, but by the end of the 1997 season - and fifth title - it had become downright ridiculous.

As evidence, we present you with the Brian Williams contract negotiations.

Later known as Bison Dele - who died in 2002 - the 6-foot-9, 230-pound Williams had been on the Bulls' radar for some time and Krause was pursuing the free agent hard with the Bulls needing help down low.

The machinations of this project were yet another example of how Krause would get himself into trouble with the help of Jordan, Pippen and Jackson.

This one would come to be known as the playoff share controversy.

Late in the 1996-97 season, the Bulls could only offer Williams the minimum, prorated for the final 9 games of the season, considerably less than the dollars offered by the likes of Miami, Utah and Los Angeles.

The main Bulls selling point was the chance to play with Jordan and collect a ring. Krause got creative, however, upping the offer by saying he would ask Jordan and Pippen if they might consider voting Williams two playoff shares, which would be worth about $125,000 apiece.

The Bulls GM could only ask, since they were not his shares to promise.

Krause presented this to Jordan and Pippen, who knew they needed Williams, and the two stars said they would contemplate the reward contingent upon seeing what Williams delivered down the stretch and in the postseason.

Williams agreed that this was fair and signed with the Bulls on April 2, 1997.

The night the Bulls beat Utah in Chicago for their fifth title, Williams said he was so happy that a single share would be enough, but two days later he phoned Bulls management and said he wanted two full playoff shares.

As had been the case the year before, the vote would occur on the bus ride to Grant Park. The players chose one full share for Williams, believing it generous for the short time he had been with the team.

It was then reported that Krause had promised him two playoff shares. Krause said that was untrue, knowing he had zero authority over the players' postseason money.

Pippen called Krause a liar, claiming Krause never asked the Bulls' superstars about it before signing Williams.

But this was the actual falsehood.

Williams, in turn, ripped Krause publicly, while Krause swore on his father's grave that he asked Jordan and Pippen if they would consider it.

Enter Jackson, who never missed a chance to instigate and prod Pippen, saying, "Quite frankly, I'm concerned about the shape of Jerry's father's grave."

Ugly, ugly stuff.

While Krause was getting hammered from every corner of Chicago and the NBA world, Jordan admitted months later to Reinsdorf during a Las Vegas meeting that Krause did indeed ask the Bulls' leaders about Williams and voting him two shares.

But Jordan would never say it publicly. There was no chance he would go against Pippen or Jackson - or back Krause - and reveled in it when the short, overweight GM was getting crushed by Pippen, Jackson and - in this case - Williams.

A few weeks later, and fresh off helping the Bulls win a title, Williams inked a $35 million deal with Detroit.

This is just one story, but there were dozens like it during the second three-peat.

Krause invited many problems on himself with his public mistakes, but there were cases like this one where Jordan and Pippen teamed with Jackson to promote a story when it meant a beating for Krause.

They were relentless and ruthless.

Standing in a circle and facing one another with weapons drawn, they all contributed to the end of a dynasty.

Such children. Such a shame. Such a waste.