Remembering Stacey King, who became Bulls’ iconic version of Cubs’ Harry Caray

Oftentimes, the cliche “so and so is one of a kind” is thrown out to describe anyone who seemingly stands out above the rest. However, there is absolutely no getting around the fact that former Chicago Bulls player-turned-broadcaster Stacey King was legitimately one of a kind. This explains why his untimely passing on Sunday at 59 hurts so badly.

King was found dead in his Chicago home for reasons that remain unknown—upon learning of his passing, friends, teammates, and colleagues poured out their hearts with loving tributes.

Everyone from Scottie Pippen to Frank Thomas weighed in. Famed Bulls broadcaster Neil Funk said, “They’re not going to make another Stacey King.” Michael Jordan issued a statement saying King “was part of a group that helped define an era of Chicago Bulls basketball.”

Michael Jordan has released a statement on the passing of Stacey King.

A Bulls champion, legendary voice, and beloved figure in Chicago sports, Stacey’s impact went far beyond the game. Long live the King. #StaceyKing #RIPStaceyKing #NBA #MichaelJordan #ChicagoBulls pic.twitter.com/x2dQ2JyI7f

— ESPN Chicago (@ESPN1000) June 8, 2026

Indeed, he had. Chicago drafted King in 1989 out of the University of Oklahoma. He would go on to play for the Bulls from 1989 to 1994. Along the way, King was part of the first Bulls’ three-peat (1991-1993). Even on a team with Jordan and Pippen dominating the attention, King didn’t lurk in the background.

He was a catalyst during Game 6 of the 1992 Finals against the Trail Blazers. With the Bulls trailing by 15 points in the fourth quarter, Jordan sat on the bench as King and company engineered a dramatic comeback. They scored one basket at a time, with King capping off the comeback with a bank shot to bring Chicago within three points.

From there, Jordan came back into the game, and the Bulls won their 2nd straight title 97-93.

After 1994, King bounced around the NBA and overseas. In 2006, he returned to Chicago to work as a broadcaster. He began as a pre-game and post-game host on ComeCast Sports Net. Eventually, he segwayed into the role of color commentator.

It was there that King not only became a fan favorite but also became on par with another beloved Chicago broadcaster.

Stacey King was to the Bulls what Harry Caray was to the Cubs

Though he had his memorable moments with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox, Harry Caray became a cult icon as the voice of the Chicago Cubs from 1982 until his passing in 1997.

Caray wasn’t polished; he was playful. He was enthusiastic, not expressionless. Caray was more of a fan who just happened to be a broadcaster. His trademark “Holy Cow!’ and getting fans to sing along to “Take Me Back to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch became cultural staples that reached well beyond the friendly confines.

If anything, King may have looked at what Harry did and decided to become his own version.

While King was the mic, he was very much a fan-first broadcaster. He had his own catchphrases that reflected his personality.

“Gimme the hot sauce!” in wanting to see a 3-pointer. “Too big, too strong, too fast, too good!” when a player mustered through the defense for a basket. “Let me step back and kiss myself!” in reference to a game-winning shot. “Didn’t come for a massage, but came for the facial!” about a posterizing slam dunk.

Then, of course, his homage to Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford in the iconic 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son, when he said, “It’s the big one, I’m coming for you, Elizabeth!” He used that during moments of thunderous excitement.

The most recent example was on March 27, 2025, when Josh Giddey hit a half-court buzzer beater to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Much like Harry, Stacey was a real man of the people. He would chop it up with anyone and everyone, whether in person or on social media. Stacey would take pictures and sign autographs with virtually anybody who came into contact with him.

The absence of his voice and presence will sting for years to come. In an age when beloved broadcasters are few and far between, Stacey King was one of the last of a rare breed.

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