In episode 7 of the Last Dance documentary series, the opening scene had a very interesting altercation with Jerry Krause and a reporter. The short interaction between the two stood out to me. I watched the scene a few times and even took notes of the words exchanged. This is a prime example of our reptilian brain getting the best of us.
Reporter: Are you surprised that the team has stayed together, the chemistry has been that good, with all the backstabbing between you and the coach and everything else?
The reporter seemed genuine in being curious about the context of the locker room, not trying to cause drama. The tonality of the reporter but the questions in the context of being a fair and relevant question. Based on the clip, I assume it was an opening question. Not hostile in any manner.
Jerry’s mood turns defensive. It is obvious he feels attacked. He makes confronting eye contact with the reporter. Jerry repeats himself multiple times. Speaks to the reporter in a hierarchal way, in the sense that he is superior. Dismisses the question but interestingly enough precedes to answers it. Seemly giving it value and proving its relevance. He could have simply responded to the question honestly and engaged with the reporter who was doing his job.
Why does he react like this? It’s primitive in nature. A clear display of our reptilian brain in action. Jerry Krause has proven to be intelligent at times, but this seems to be a weakness of his. Lying. The players and coaches later confirm this. (That he was lying about the state of Jerry Krause relationship with Phil Jackson)
Jerry Krause: Well, first of all, there’s no backstabbing going on here, okay? Okay? Understand me when I say that? There is no backstabbing going on here, okay? The second part of it is no, I am not surprised at all, and I’m amazed that you would even make a statement like that. But I’m not surprised at all because this team is composed of professionals. It’s composed of guys who understand what they have to do and who are winners, unlike the comment you just made. Gentleman, good night.
His neurotic energy spotlights the quality of that question. It hit a nerve. Any good reporter would hit him with the question again, and again. Because there is obviously something there. He attempts to belittle the question because he judges it as offensive.
Jerry continues to poorly answer the question and insult the reporter for having the nerve of asking, such as a question. Completely losing sight that is literally his job, and that is literally the purpose of all of them being there. The question was about the team and the news around its problems. It wasn’t like he was asking about some personal scandal that had nothing to do with basketball or team operations.
The way Jerry responded requires a motive, as the body has to exude energy to activate the defensiveness that was on display. In nature, we assume a feeling of threat could ignite the motivation. Why was he threatened? I think we can tie the loose ends here and figure out why. Jerry leaves after answering the question and the following happens…
Different Reporter: Way to go, Frank.
Other reporters shame the fellow reporter for doing his job and having the courage to ask an uncomfortable question. Reporters’ and Journalists’ craft requires them to not only ask easy, boring questions. Their job is to entertain and obtain interesting facts. The only way to get that is by asking hard, honest questions. We need more Franks in this world.
