Mattie T’s Tribute to Norm Van Lier (1947-2009)
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on February 26, 2009
Before i begin with my tribute to one of the All-time greats of the Chicago Bulls, i’d like to offer my memories of “Stormin’ Norman”.
I never got to meet him in person, but i always enjoyed Mr. Van Lier’s enthaustic & truthful commentary during the Bulls’ pregame & postgame shows on Comcast Sports Net.
Norm always told it like it is, and was never afraid to call out a Bulls player who he felt wasn’t playing up to standards or following team rules.
Just the other day, i saw a commercial that featured him as he talked about the Bulls playing with “48 minutes of intensity” while he walked down Madison St. with a bulldog covered in shades.
Here are a couple of video clips which shows Van Lier’s true passion about his hometown team:
Van Lier was originally drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 34th overall pick (3rd round) of the 1969 NBA Draft. Van Lier was then immediately shipped to the Cincinnati Royals, where he spent his first two NBA seasons.
Van Lier’s best NBA season came in 1970-71, when he averaged career-highs in minutes per game (40.5), rebounds per game (7.1), assists per game (10.1) & points per game (16.0).
Van Lier was then traded to the Bulls & played 6 full NBA seasons in Chicago.
The Bulls reached the playoffs in 4 of Van Lier’s 6 seasons there & made consecutive Western Conference Finals appearences in 1974 & ’75.
Van Lier spent his final NBA season with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1978-79 & averaged a career-low 2.8 points per game.
Stormin’ Norman made 5 All-NBA Second Teams, Three All-NBA First Defense teams & 3 All-Star appearences during his playing career.
He also played alongside former Bulls guard Jerry Sloan, who is currently in his 20th season as head coach of the Utah Jazz.
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