Chicago Bulls: 25 Best Players To Play For The Bulls
By Phil Watson
1971-78. Norm Van Lier. 6. player. 24. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Cincinnati Royals, Nov. 9, 1971.. PG
The Chicago Bulls acquired Norm Van Lier and a third-round pick in 1972 from the Cincinnati Royals early in the 1971-72 season, in November, in exchange for Jim Fox and a second-round selection in 1972.
What they got was the emotional leader for the Bulls for most of the next decade.
The fiery Van Lier was a three-time All-Star, an All-NBA selection in 1973-74 and a seven-time All-Defensive pick while with the Bulls.
He was third in the NBA in assists in 1976-77, fourth in 1975-76 and fifth in 1972-73 and 1977-78, while also placing fifth in minutes per game in 1975-76.
The Bulls waived Van Lier in October 1978.
In parts of seven seasons in Chicago, Van Lier averaged 12.2 points, 6.9 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 35.7 minutes per game, shooting 41.6 percent from the floor and 77.3 percent at the line.
Van Lier was a third-round pick out of Saint Francis by the Royals in the 1969 NBA Draft and was an All-Defensive pick in 1970-71 while also leading the NBA in assists that year.
In October 1978, he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks and retired after he was waived in January 1979.
He is 26th in NBA history with an average of 7.0 assists per game.
A longtime broadcaster for the Bulls, he was found dead at his home on Feb. 26, 2009, at the age of 61.
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