If the Chicago Bulls' plan to create a Ring of Honor was to have a celebration with the two best players in franchise history, it failed in spectacular fashion.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were not in attendance for Thursday's ceremony. Jordan did send in a video message thanking the Reinsdorf family and apologizing for his absence.

Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times he wasn't sure how much effort went into trying to get Jordan and Pippen to attend the event.

"I actually don't know how much effort went into it," Reinsdorf said. "Obviously, it would be better if everybody were here, but we knew going in that not everybody could be here. I believe Michael recorded something."

Cowley also pointed out that Dennis Rodman, who actually was expected to attend, was "an unexpected no-show" on Thursday, but the team is hopeful he will be at the United Center for the halftime festivities that will be held during halftime of Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors.

Bulls president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf attempted to explain why Jordan and Pippen weren't present at the gala by noting the inaugural Ring of Honor class was announced fairly recently.

"I would be excited for everyone to come, but we announced it six weeks ago," Michael Reinsdorf said. "People have schedule issues, and so this is just our way of saying thank you to the players and the staff, so that's what we're looking forward to."

One would think that they might try to coordinate schedules with the two players most instrumental in the franchise winning six NBA titles before announcing the ceremony.

Of course, there's also the possibility that Jordan and/or Pippen still harbor bad feelings toward members of the organization. It's been well-documented that Jordan and Jerry Reinsdorf butted heads many times over the years.

Pippen didn't seem particularly upset to be fired from his role as a senior advisor in the Bulls organization in 2020.

The Ring of Honor gala wasn't completely devoid of star power. Phil Jackson, Steve Kerr, Ron Harper, Toni Kukoč and Luc Longley were all there.

Chicago included he entire 1995-96 team that won a then-NBA record 72 games during the regular season were among the first-ever inductees in the Ring of Honor.