Bulls plan tributes to Kerr, Van Lier

It's only fitting that there be a tribute to both Red and Norm before tomorrow's game. But what would be even better would be to see #2 raised to the rafters as it should be. I'm sure Tim Thomas wouldn't argue about wearing another number.

God Bless these two former players, announcers and one a former coach as well. At least we knew they LOVED the Chicago Bulls and didn't mind criticizing the team and organization. Probably moreso the players than the organization, but at least they cared.

You go to bed knowing one former player has past away and wake to hear another has gone on to basketball heaven as well. Life is short people!!

REAL SHORT!!

Somewhere in heaven there is a cloud made up entirely of powdered resin on which Johnny "Red" will be sitting and smiling down as the Bulls tip off tonight.

I can't help but think that Norm is somewhere smirking, just like he did when the refs didn't see his hard foul on an opposing player! Norm is getting his day with Red even if its posthumously!!! Norm has inextricably tied his name and legacy with Red's! Those who THOUGHT they were going to diss him, now have to acknowleged him everytime they look at Red's statue! And forgive my jesting, but I imagine people looking at Red, but imagining the face of Norm grinning like Redd Fox!!! And I see Red smiling while giving Norm some skin! Sometimes even the darkest clouds have a silver linning!

Comcast - please do something classy like commission a bust of Norm with a caption that reads "48 minutes" and bring it out for every Bulls game. 48 minutes is a staple that should never be forgotten. We want to move on one day, but never forget Norm like some people did.

And if the Bulls cannot get themselves up for 48 minutes tonight... I would lose all respect for them. ALL. I am not even saying its a must win - but they must BRING IT!!! Push Washington to the brink of physical exhaustion!!! For their President, for Norm, for Kerr, for Chicago, but mostly because they wear that uniform!!!

I believe Mike North and Dan Jiggetts have a great idea of trying to get a campaign together to persuade the Bulls to retire # 2 for late Norn Van Lier and the Bears to retire # 89 for Mike Ditka. Though, I would add getting the a push behind getting the late Johnny 'Red' Kerr in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Van Lier, Ditka, and Kerr are Chicago sports icons and all have been long associated with each team and I don't understand why nobody has started a campaign for them to be in the past.

The Bears may use the excuses of having too many retired jersey numbers (13, most in the NFL, behind the New York Yankees 15 and short of the NBA's Boston Celtics 21 retired numbers) and # 89 being a 'hard to lose' eligible receivers number. Though, no Bears player has put up any memorable numbers or have done anything while wearing # 89 since Ditka.

And, the Bulls really have only 'ancient history' character issues for not retiring # 2 for Van Lier as his play on the court was among the best defensive players and playmakers at his position in his time

Also, 'Red' Kerr was 'true' professional in all facets: a presence and star player on the court, a 'break-through' coach with two expansion teams, 'standout' player in high school and college basketball in Illinois, and was behind the microphone for the Bulls for 30 years. While, some critics may have called 'Red' a 'homer' when it came to calling Bulls games, I thought listening to 'Red' cheer and agonize was like being at the game with another Bulls fan.

About time. The initial Red Kerr tribute was a bit tainted when the Bulls organization didn't invite Van Lier, and rightfully Norm pointed that out during the post game show. Unfortunately it didn't come under better circumstances, but better late then never.

Very well said, Keith. Norm is getting his day with Red and they will forever be linked in life and now in death. Godspeed to both men.

Hello everyone I am Jerome. I worked with Stormin Norm at ESPN and Johnny "Red" Kerr when I worked with Kevin Matthews in Chicago. We all had fun like lil kids. I will miss them both and wish I could turn the hands of time. Life is sooo short. I love you all. I had and we had alot of fun.. Love Yaaaaaaaaaa

I was emotionally prepared for Kerr's death because he didn't look well at his tribute night. Van Lier's a shock to my system. I think we always take unexpected deaths harder.

For Bulls fans, Van Lier was like you favorite couch. When you sit down to watch a game, you can't help but notice it's gone now. That sense will linger for month's & maybe into next season. While Red will be fondly remembered, Norman will be sorely missed :(

Norm will be deeply missed by those of us who have known him all his life. To us he was Ookie. Knowing him as Norm came much later. 4th of July in Midland just won't be the same without seeing him at the Wunder Bar. We shared him with you Chicagoans but he will always be ours. He was my friend. I loved him. And I will miss him.

Bulls - Heart the size of a Grain of Mustard seed. Sorry Norm and Red us fans are going to have to honor you.

Chicago is blessed to have the best sport;s team in haven corveing the game!! John Red Kerr Storm Norm Vanlier Harry holy cow Carry, an Jack hay hay Brickhouse. all in the same both!!!

"And if the Bulls cannot get themselves up for 48 minutes tonight... I would lose all respect for them. ALL. I am not even saying its a must win - but they must BRING IT!!! Push Washington to the brink of physical exhaustion!!!"

ROFLMAO!

Wow...interesting sentimentality. If Van Lier wasn't good enough before to have his # retired, why do it now just because he died? Did his numbers get better or did he become a better commentator? They SHOULD have done it before. Doing it now cheapens his contributions. Same thing for Santo - his numbers won't get better after he dies.

Maybe it's just me, and I only know Norm from listening to him for the past 15 years but I can almost hear him before the game..."if these punks didn't want to play when I was alive, I sure as hell don't expect them to play hard just because I'm dead".

I just read Stormin Normin's take on the 7th game of the 1973 playoff series vs. the Lakers. I was there that night at the Forum in Inglewood, Ca. I STILL can see Norm take the shot that Wilt blocked which wound up in the hands of Gail Goodrich who took it to the other end of the floor for an uncontested layup. That was the game. There were 17,505 basketball fans there and I swear 17,504 of them were Laker fans. Norm had a passion for the game that most players of today just do not have. He sometimes played 48 minutes a game. You don't see that now a days. No matter if the Bulls were up by 20 he still played the game like they were losing by two. When I first heard of Norm's passing my first thought was of how he was not asked to take part in the cermony for Johnny "Red" Kerr. Norm was obvious hurt by not being part of the festivities. He should have been there. Isn't it ironic that hours after the passing of Norm that Johnny Red also passed? Obviously the run of six championships in eight years is something that may never be topped for me as a fan of the Bulls but I will always remember the Bulls teams of the 70's as some of the best basketball that I watched. And Norm Van Lier had a major roll in the success of those teams. I have heard a lot of talk about whether or not his number should be retired. I say do it, and if they do not then the number should only be worn by someone who emulates Norm as a the player that he was. No more dogs should be allowed to wear the number 2 jersey. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Norm Van Lier. May he rest in peace.

I was more of a basketball fan when there were many guys with the 48-minute work ethic like Norm playing the game. Norm was as the top of that heap however! (so, too, was MJ) I just don't understand why so many folks fall over backwards for guys today who play "when they want to." The NBA is replete with guys like that. Norm made it very clear how disgusted he was with that.

Scott Skiles might have been a bit over the top and had the personality of Mike Keenan, but he made the guys play UNTIL they eventually quit on him. Tim Thomas wanted no part of it because he exemplifies today's mentality through and through. It's a shame. Now, the Bulls have a "cool coach" who doesn't make them play 100% all of the time on both ends of the court. I guess it's just wrong to get the most of people nowadays.

Good luck with today's NBA gentlemen. College b-ball is much more interesting to me.

Bulls must've went to see the Wizard after that loss because they found their hearts tonight. Miller, Salmons, Thomas were 3 great additions to the team. Bulls might want to look into that Princeton offense. I have been watching it for a few years now, and it gives you a fighting chance. Excellent tributes from the Bulls. Great win for the team and fans.

Gracias, Rose, Gordon, & Salmons for turning a dreadful tribute night into a winner. It's really going to hit us fans hard when the next game airs on Comcast & Norm is absent. Our prayers go out for Johnny's & Norm's souls & for the grief of their families.

I think Norm would agree with me that +/- is a stupid stat. In the NBA, the 4th qtr is a different game than the first 3. Last night proved that again, & it helped erase the sting of many 4th qtr meltdowns for the Bulls. If you believe in the +/- then you should at least have the sense to divide it by min's played.

The MVP Bulls right now are Rose, Gordon, Thomas, & Salmons. Deng & Kirk are not game changers like these 4. They aren't capable of taking a game over in the 4th. That's a stark difference that you can't measure by seasonal avgs. The Bulls won it with a 23-3 run in the final minutes. Put that in your +/- pipe & choke on the smoke!

Ironic in a lot of ways they died on the same day...

By all accounts Kerr was the all American family guy and great guy overall. Unfortunately he was a brutal basketball commentator..screaming was never a great way to call a game. Jordan's "shot on Ehlo" sound bite from Kerr sounded like a high school game.

Stormin Norman admitted his bad choices over the years - most notably substance abuse. He was a terrific "tell it like it is" analyst and did not let up on these under-achieving, soft, so-called NBA players. Would have loved to have seen him paired with Durham years back, or even Tom Dore (who was bad) for the games.

John Salmons is one helluva player. He does all the little things a coach loves. Matter of fact, as much as Rose and Ben carried the fourth, it was the 'don't show up in the box score' things that Salmons did that was equally important. My hats off to the guy. He plays prevent defense better than anyone on the team (probably the only one), plays fast break, open court 'D' easily better than the rest, is now known as the 'Creator' in my book for his ability to create shots better than anyone since you know who, seems to have a candid approach to the professional game, and along with Miller has probaly earned playing time, with or without Deng.

As far as team defense goes, we VACUUM, big time!

Come on Vinny. You have two veteran generals at your side. Do we need a Hydra?

Villy - Bulls let me down like one of those hydrolic jacks!!! I felt like cutting those black patches off their uniforms! I bet Obama was like....my boyz sold me out. I came all the way down here for this.... Washington brought it with that Princeton offense (same one Northwestern runs) and its impressive. I just wanted Norm and Red to be honored by the TEAM they love so much, but Washington had some plans of their own. They played inspired ball and took it to the Bulls. Seems like only Salmons came to play. He looks like Wesley Snipes.

Saturday's game showed you why John Paxson is going bald. They beat a quality team and showed that they can play with anyone in the NBA. Tyrus flushed on Yao with two hands. Noah was everywhere. But when it comes to Derrick Rose Vinny needs to follow the words of tearful Officer Looney from the movie A Time to Kill: "YOU TURN HIM LOOSE YOU HEAR!!! THE MAN'S A HERO!!! TURN HIM LOOSE!! TURN HIM LOOSE!!!!" Rose went to work down the stretch on Saturday. He is the teams BEST option on offense, the best ball-handler and a good decision maker. You HAVE to have him on the floor and keep opposing defenses honest. Now I am not saying that the team needs to put the pressure of making game winning shots on his shoulders alone, but let him be the playmaker. Down the stretch I trust Gordon, Salmons, Miller, Tim Thomas, and even marsh-mellow Deng. But it stars with Rose. Teams swarm to Gordon because they know what he can do. Rose has to start finding Salmons and Miller.

Vinny says that people need to realize that Derrick Rose is still a rookie and makes rookie mistakes. True, and I suppose sitting him can be a part of the education process. Nevertheless, I think that you treat your "franchise rookie" a bit differently. Let him loose, make his mistakes, and learn from his mistakes. Some rookies with his talent may need to be sat. However, Derrick is humble and desires very much to be the best he can be. Give him the fourth quarter every game! It's not like your team is going places without him. He'll be fine. Don't sit him for fourth quarters anymore.

IMO it's a bit late for the Bulls to be honoring Norm Van Lier

They went out of their way to exclude him from the Kerr commeration, never even talked about retiring his number, passed him over for numerous coaching positions, and would therefore look like nothing more than the two faced a$$holes that they are if they did something nice for him now.

If I was any relation to Norm, I'd tell them to shove their tribute.

Villy - I trully understand how you feel. I saw an interview with Jerry Reinsdorf yesterday and he talked about Red and Norm in two different contextes. He and Norm had a lot of bad exchanges because Norm didnt pull any punches. And to be honest its the kind of emotional thing that real men put behind them. Jerry let words and emotions stop him from doing what is right. Won't be the last time either. Thats what life is for the king. But Jerry was terribly mistaken with his assessment of Norm Van Lier. He described Red as the franchise favorite and rightfully so, but he didnt know NORM was the FAN favorite, hands down, no contest. Norm was the face and voice of the people, our chosen representive our spokesman. His career was the epitomy of the hard working guy who gave all he had and received nothing from "the man". Norm was angry and pissed at the world, yet he harnessed that anger and STILL did the job he LOVED with honesty and passion. See thats what it is like for the average person, and we could relate. Those traits brought him instant respect/credibility with the fans, and if Norm said it - it was received. Norm loved this CITY and the TEAM.

As Jerry made his sterile "assessment" of Norm from his distant baseball haven, I just shook my head. There was yet another king who didn't know what he had. Jerry, let it go and DO RIGHT. Burry your grudge and honor a man that has earned it with his HEART. Quit crunching numbers and thinking about how Norm cussed you out (because we ALL know he did - because you deserved it). It would mean a great deal to the fans of the Bulls and Chicago. If you want to know what to do - ASK US. If you do right by Norm, you can win the heart of the city. Some of us support the Whitesox because of the BULLS. DO RIGHT Jerry.

Well said Keith. Jerry Reinsdorf has and probably always will be a petty man. Few people can both hold grudges and befriend-to-the-point-of-never-firing-no-matter-what (like Krauss) as Jerry Reinsdorf. I say this about a man who has had a hand in giving me my most coveted sports jewel to date a "World Series Champion."

Jerry, you're never too old to amend your ways. Please do so before it's way too late.

We are all going to miss two great players that defined the game of basketball.quackerssports.com

KERR AND VAN LIER THESE WERE TWO GREAT PLAYERS THAT DEFINED THE GAME AND FOREVER THEY WILL BE REMEMBERED.