norm van lier dead

So long Stormin' Norman. Chicago sports will not be the same without you.

Norm Van Lier, one of the most popular players in Bulls history, was found dead in his Chicago apartment today. He was 61.

Believe it or not, but the Bulls did have fans before Michael Jordan. Nor Van Lier, who died today in his Chicago apartment, made fans of many early Bulls watchers. His cause of death is still unknown, but it is thought that he fell ill due to his recent struggles with advanced heart disease. He was 61 years old.

News of his death hit the airwaves in Chicago like a tsunami. All afternoon, I have heard mournful tributes on the radio and on television. There are very few players that can be instantly identified with the Bulls, have a decades long history with them and still take every move personally. Norm Van Lier hit all of those cylinders and more.

Van Lier had been working as a Bulls analyst for ComcastSportsnet Chicago after 10-year playing career.

He did not arrive for a scheduled appearance on the network's postgame show following the Bulls-New Jersey Nets game Wednesday night.

Stormin’ Norman career’s was marked by underappreciation and silent endurance. He attended Saint Francis University after most high-major colleges balked on recruiting the 6-1 point guard. His grizzled, physical play won him respect among fans and his teammates–he played alongside his hard-nosed Bulls Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, Chet Walker and Tom Boerwinkle. In his 10 years in the L, there wasn’t much Van Lier didn’t accomplish. He lead the League in assists in 1971, made three All-Defensive First Teams, was a three-time All-Star and an All-NBA Second Teamer in 1974.

A Chicago Fire Department squad conducted a wellness check after he hadn't been reached Thursday morning. They discovered his body shortly before 1 p.m., and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

There was no one harder on current Bulls players when they were slacking and there was no one who celebrated each victory more than Norm. Basketball and the Bulls were in his lifeblood. Chicago sports and the Chicago Bulls have lost a unique and passionate man, who deeply cared about the sport. You will definitely be missed, Norm.