R.I.P. Former Bulls great Norm Van Lier

[Chisox08]

Chicagosuntimes

[madinmaryland]

1. RIP. 61 years old.

:sad:

..snip

Former Bulls great and broadcaster Norm Van Lier has died at the age of 61.

Chicago Fire Department officials found him dead at his apartment at 1155 W. Madison at 12:49 p.m. They were called there to do a well-being check after Van Lier didn't show up for pre-game and post-game work during Comcast SportsNet's coverage of Wednesday's Bulls game. A Comcast producer went to Van Lier's house this morning and couldn't get a response, and then called the fire department.

"I'm in shock," said Kendall Gill, who worked alongside Van Lier at CSN during the last three seasons. "I used to drop him off after every game. I'm going to miss him terribly."

"It's very sad," Comcast SportsNet president Jim Corno said. "He was a part of the family here. He's going to be missed.

"He was one of our most popular, recognizable personalities."

It's currently down as a death investigation, which means no immediate sounds of foul play, authorities said.

..snip

[Bluzmann57]

2. Old School basketball

Van Lier was not afraid to criticize a player if the player was not doing well. But he had more credibility than most because he was a pretty good player.