There has been very little levity in terms of Bulls basketball in the last decade.
On many game nights, TV analyst — and former championship player — Stacey King was a lone beacon through a lot of dark seasons, a big man with an even bigger personality.
Now that the organization seemingly is headed in a positive direction, it was more than just a gut punch when the Bulls announced Sunday that King had died at 59. No cause was given.
King is slated to undergo a head autopsy, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. He was pronounced dead Sunday morning in the 500 block of Bonnie Brae in River Forest, where he also lived. No other details were immediately available.
Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and president/COO Michael Reinsdorf offered statements of sympathy in the wake of the news.
‘‘Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history,’’ Jerry Reinsdorf said. ‘‘His connection to Chicago, the Bulls and our fans spanned more than three decades — first as a player and later as the unmistakable voice that helped bring Bulls basketball into the homes of generations of fans. We will miss him deeply and remember the joy, energy, humor, candor and passion he brought to our organization, our broadcasts and our fans every day. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.’’
Michael Reinsdorf shared similar thoughts for King and his family.
‘‘Stacey loved being a Bull,’’ he said. ‘‘You could feel it in everything he did — the way he played, the way he called games and the way he connected with our fans. He had a unique gift for bringing people together and making every game feel personal. He brought an energy and love for the game that came through in every broadcast, helping fans feel connected to our team.
‘‘Whether it was through a broadcast, a conversation or a photo with a fan, Stacey made people feel seen and valued. We were fortunate to know him not only as a player and broadcaster, but as a friend. Stacey genuinely cared about people, and he made our organization better. We will miss him dearly, and his impact, memory and legacy will remain a part of the Chicago Bulls forever.’’
The 6-11 King was a member of the first three Bulls championships (1991-93) after being a standout at Oklahoma. He also played for the Timberwolves, Heat, Celtics and Mavericks in his eight NBA seasons and averaged 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in his career.
The Bulls drafted King No. 6 overall in 1989, and he played in all 82 games as a rookie, coming off the bench and averaging 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds.
After his playing career wound down, he pursued coaching, taking the top job for the Rockford Lightning of the now-defunct Continental Basketball Association. He then moved to the broadcast booth in 2006, working as a studio analyst for Bulls pregame and postgame shows. He started filling in as a third broadcaster in games late in 2006 and moved to that role permanently in 2007.
King, an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, became famous for his nicknames, as well as for his signature calls. Among them were: ‘‘Gimme the hot sauce,’’ ‘‘Let me step back and kiss myself’’ and ‘‘Drive home safely, Chicago! Beep, beep!’’
‘‘Stacey King was one of the most beloved figures in Chicago sports,’’ Chicago Sports Network president Michael McCarthy said. ‘‘Stacey had a unique ability to connect generations of Bulls fans. Whether through his basketball insight, his humor or his unforgettable calls, he made every game more enjoyable and every broadcast better.’’
The Bulls plan to honor King throughout next season and will make announcements about that in the near future.
Contributing: Mariah Rush
