Former Bulls player, commentator Van Lier dies

Norm Van Lier told a good story of the first time he ever got into a fight during an NBA game.

He talked about how he tackled the unfortunate opponent into the seats, then flailed away with both fists. The goal, Van Lier said later, was to make everyone think he was so crazy, no one would ever challenge him again.

Of course, there was considerable evidence that this was no act. Van Lier was more than a little crazy when he played for the Bulls from 1971-78.

"I remember one time with Sidney Wicks, Portland Trail Blazers," recalled former Bulls teammate Bob Love. "We were in a tough game, back and forth, and the game got kind of rough. Wicks was a big guy, he was 6-9, about 240. Norm was a little guy, he was 6-feet-1, maybe 160 pounds.

"They got into it, Norm picked up a chair and ran Wicks all the way across the court. The referees had to grab Norm to stop him. All the guys said, 'Norm, why did you grab that chair?' Norm said, 'Man, I had to get the equalizer, because the guy was so big.' "

Van Lier, 61, was found dead at his Chicago home on Thursday afternoon. He did not show up for his scheduled appearance on the pre- and postgame shows for Comcast SportsNet when the Bulls played New Jersey on Wednesday. When authorities were sent on a well-being check, Van Lier was found unresponsive. The cause of death is not known.

Van Lier will always be known as one of the most popular players in Bulls history. The feisty, intense guard known as "Stormin' Norman", was as much the heart and soul of the successful Bulls teams of the early 1970s as backcourt mate Jerry Sloan.

"He was the only person I know who would take a charge from Wilt Chamberlain," said former Bulls center Artis Gilmore, a teammate from 1976-78. "He wasn't really a terrific offensive player, but he loved a challenge defensively and was always ready every night to meet that challenge."

Love said he spoke to Van Lier at the United Center on Tuesday when the Bulls played Orlando. When he heard the news from a Bulls employee Thursday, Love had to pull off the road and gather himself.

"I'm in shock. I shed a few tears today," Love said. "I would call Norm every other day. I wanted to keep his spirits up. I would always tell him, 'Things are going to change for you.' "

Love said Van Lier was recently divorced and had a pacemaker installed, but Love did not believe his former teammate was in failing health.

"Norm Van Lier was one of the all-time greats ever to put on a Chicago Bulls uniform," chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "Along 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."

A three-time all-star, Van Lier is easily the most accomplished point guard in Bulls history. He finished in the top 10 in assists eight times during his career.

Van Lier grew up in the Pittsburgh suburb of Midland, Pa. An accomplished high school quarterback, he turned down several football scholarship opportunities to play basketball at St. Francis (Pa.) College. He was a third-round draft pick of the Bulls in 1969, but was soon traded to the Cincinnati Royals before returning to the Bulls in 1971.

Led by Van Lier, Sloan, Love and Chet Walker, the Bulls made the playoffs for five straight years, reaching the Western Conference finals in both 1974 and '75.

"We had so much fun together," Love said. "He always had my back and I always had his back. He was feisty. All he wanted to do was belong. He wanted to be part of something.

"Off the court, he was a fun-loving guy. He loved music. Boz Scaggs was his favorite guy. Boz Scaggs music all the time. I was from down South, I was used to the blues and all that stuff. I said, 'Man, you like that kind of music?' He said, 'Man, this is getting down.' "

In recent years, Van Lier became known for his blunt criticism of the Bulls in the Comcast SportsNet studio, though no one ever doubted his support for the team.

"I think the Chicago Bulls gave him an opportunity to do those TV games on Comcast, he really appreciated that," Love said. "That was his love. He lived for that.

"If you wanted somebody on your side, that was the guy. The guy was afraid of nothing and he would stick with you. If you were his friend, you were his friend. If you weren't, you weren't. With Norm, there was no in-between. It was yes or no."

NBA Commissioner David Stern released a statement from the league office regarding Van Lier.

"He will be remembered by many for teaming up with Jerry Sloan to form one of the best defensive backcourts of any era," Stern said. "Norm was a complete player, a wonderful passer, a tenacious rebounder and an original character in the 1970s."

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