On a much sadder note:Former Bulls All-Star Norm Van Lier Dead at 61[/list:u]CHICAGO (AP)—Norm Van Lier, one of the most popular players in Chicago Bulls history and one of the NBAfs top defensive players in the 1970s, was found dead in his home just blocks away from the teamfs arena Thursday. He was 61.
Van Lier, who most recently worked for Comcast SportsNet Chicago, had been scheduled as a pre- and post-game analyst for Wednesday nightfs Bulls game with the New Jersey Nets.
Comcast officials became concerned when Van Lier did not show up for work and could not be reached Thursday. An employee was sent to his apartment near the United Center on the cityfs near West Side, said Jim Corno, president of Comcast SportsNet Chicago. The employee tried unsuccessfully to get inside.
Authorities responded to a subsequent well-being check and found Van Lier unresponsive shortly before 1 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Quention Curtis said.
The Cook County Medical Examinerfs office confirmed Van Lierfs death but said a cause was not immediately known.
gNorm Van Lier was one of the all-time greats ever to put on a Chicago Bulls uniform,h team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. gAlong with Jerry Sloan, he set a standard for Bulls defense and toughness which we will never forget and which we will always strive to replicate.h
Van Lier began his NBA career with Cincinnati in 1969. He later spent more than six seasons with the Chicago Bulls before finishing his career with Milwaukee in 1979.
A three-time All-Star, Van Lier played on five playoff teams.
It was Van Lierfs time with the Bulls for which he was most vividly remembered.
Van Lier was a defensive standout and a fan favorite who was given the name gStorminf Normanh for his fiery play and defensive tenacity.
Part of the NBAfs all-defensive first or second teams eight times, Van Lier and longtime teammate Sloan, now the coach of the Utah Jazz, formed one of the top defensive guard tandems in NBA history.
gThatfs really a shame. He was an unbelievable competitor and a great teammate,h said Houston coach Rick Adelman, who played with him in Chicago from 1973-75. gI really enjoyed the time with him and Sloan at the guards. You really canft have two better competitors.h
Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson remembered playing against Van Lier during their NBA careers and gtrying to avoid running over him because he always stepped in your way. He was one of those guys that always tried to get a charge and turn the game over,h Jackson said.
The two men were reunited in Chicago when Jackson coached the Bulls for nine years and guided them to six NBA championships.
gNorm was a die-hard Bulls guy,h Jackson said.
Van Lier retired after the 1979 season with 8,770 points and 5,217 assists. He finished among the leaguefs top 10 in assists eight times, and among the leaguefs top 10 in steals per game three times, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
gNorm was a complete player, a wonderful passer, a tenacious rebounder and an original character in the 1970s,h NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement. gWe are all fortunate that Norm continued to share his passion and insight as a broadcaster for the Bulls since the early f90s.h
[/list:u]
Van Lier, who most recently worked for Comcast SportsNet Chicago, had been scheduled as a pre- and post-game analyst for Wednesday nightfs Bulls game with the New Jersey Nets.
Comcast officials became concerned when Van Lier did not show up for work and could not be reached Thursday. An employee was sent to his apartment near the United Center on the cityfs near West Side, said Jim Corno, president of Comcast SportsNet Chicago. The employee tried unsuccessfully to get inside.
Authorities responded to a subsequent well-being check and found Van Lier unresponsive shortly before 1 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Quention Curtis said.
The Cook County Medical Examinerfs office confirmed Van Lierfs death but said a cause was not immediately known.
gNorm Van Lier was one of the all-time greats ever to put on a Chicago Bulls uniform,h team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. gAlong with Jerry Sloan, he set a standard for Bulls defense and toughness which we will never forget and which we will always strive to replicate.h
Van Lier began his NBA career with Cincinnati in 1969. He later spent more than six seasons with the Chicago Bulls before finishing his career with Milwaukee in 1979.
A three-time All-Star, Van Lier played on five playoff teams.
It was Van Lierfs time with the Bulls for which he was most vividly remembered.
Van Lier was a defensive standout and a fan favorite who was given the name gStorminf Normanh for his fiery play and defensive tenacity.
Part of the NBAfs all-defensive first or second teams eight times, Van Lier and longtime teammate Sloan, now the coach of the Utah Jazz, formed one of the top defensive guard tandems in NBA history.
gThatfs really a shame. He was an unbelievable competitor and a great teammate,h said Houston coach Rick Adelman, who played with him in Chicago from 1973-75. gI really enjoyed the time with him and Sloan at the guards. You really canft have two better competitors.h
Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson remembered playing against Van Lier during their NBA careers and gtrying to avoid running over him because he always stepped in your way. He was one of those guys that always tried to get a charge and turn the game over,h Jackson said.
The two men were reunited in Chicago when Jackson coached the Bulls for nine years and guided them to six NBA championships.
gNorm was a die-hard Bulls guy,h Jackson said.
Van Lier retired after the 1979 season with 8,770 points and 5,217 assists. He finished among the leaguefs top 10 in assists eight times, and among the leaguefs top 10 in steals per game three times, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
gNorm was a complete player, a wonderful passer, a tenacious rebounder and an original character in the 1970s,h NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement. gWe are all fortunate that Norm continued to share his passion and insight as a broadcaster for the Bulls since the early f90s.h
[/list:u]