Scottie Pippen, not necessarily known for his speaking, gave an interview recently (after the halftime tribute ceremony) that really sums up what Red meant to so many people:

The ceremony that was held to honor him during halftime of the Pistons game a couple weeks ago can be found here.  A tear comes to my eye when I watch it, but we can all take comfort from the fact that Red lived a full life and touched so many people.  Don’t worry Red, we’ll play better defense, I promise.

Matt over at Blogabull posted this video which really shows Norm’s love for the Bulls.  This video embodies how passionate Norm was about the Bulls, basketball and taking pride in what you do.  He really starts going crazy around 1:40 in the video.  Who is going to bring that attitude and perspective in the post-game show now?

I’m not a very emotional guy by nature.  I show anger, excitement, and passion, sure, but sadness?  It’s not as easy for me.  After writing about Stormin’ Norman yesterday, I was basically spent in terms of being able to feel sad.  Then the tragic news came in late last night that Johnny “Red” Kerr passed on after his battle with prostate cancer got the best of him.

Red was the voice of the Bulls for an entire generation, my generation.  I grew up listening to his calls on the radio.  Who can forget Red screaming “It’s Good!  It’s Good” after Jordan’s shot on Ehlo?  Or before every game how Jordan would throw dust from the resin bag all over Red? My memories of Red mostly have to do with his sound analysis and love of the Bulls.  Loved far and wide throughout the league, Red came to be associated with the Bulls more than any other personality during the franchise’s existence.

After leading the Fighting Illini to a Final Four in 1952, he was drafted into the NBA.  Known as one of the top centers in the league, he played most of his career for the Syracuse Nationals, which eventually became the Philadelphia 76ers.  He was known as one of the better centers in the league, dragging Chamberlain and Russell up and down the court on a nightly basis.  He made 3 all-star games and held the record for consecutive games played until 1983.

He came to be the Chicago Bulls first coach in the 1966-1967 season.  He was the first (and only) coach to take an expansion team to the playoffs.  He also won Coach of the Year in that first year as coach.  His famous line about that young expansion team was, “Bulls is our name. Defense is our game. Look in the Yellow Pages under Excitement.”

He then went on to coach the Suns briefly, but came back to provide commentary for the Bulls from 1975 until the end of last season.

Kerr was always known for his keen basketball mind and for his love of the game and the Bulls.  While in recent years his health was failing, he always had a key insight about the night’s game.  A tribute fit for a king was given to Red a few weeks ago during halftime of a Pistons game at the United Center.  Everyone came out to honor him, from Scottie Pippen to Barack Obama.  At least we can all take solace in the fact that he was properly honored for everything he has done for the community and the team.

Keep Red in your prayers and as Red would say “Stay on those boards!”

I’m at a loss for words.  This is one of the saddest days in Chicago sports in my lifetime, if not the saddest.  On the heels of reports that Bulls legend Norm Van Lier passed away this morning, news comes in that Johnny “Red” Kerr has died as well.  After a long struggle with prostate cancer, Red has moved on to a better place.  More on this story tomorrow, but we should all keep their families and friends in our hearts and honor Red in whatever way we can.

A tragic, tragic event has happened today.  Norm Van Lier, former player and current broadcaster for the Chicago Bulls, passed away at the age of 61 today.  As many of you may have guessed, my handle, “Stormin Norman Disciple”, is an ode to Norm’s voracious passion for the game and life in general.  I always looked up to him for those reasons.  I am not the only one who is weeping for Stormin’ Norman today, all Chicago will miss him greatly.

Growing up, my father always used to tell me about the toughest back-court in the NBA when he was growing up.  Although Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier were not always the most talented or best back-court in basketball, they were known for being big, strong defenders that never gave an inch.  The Bulls were in their infancy, coming into the league as an expansion team in the late 1960s, but Norm gave them an identity and helped lead the Bulls to 4 straight 50 win seasons in the early 1970s.  As a player he averaged 11.8 points 4.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game for his career, but he was better known for his shutdown defense on big and quick guards alike.  Also, how many guards do you know that average 5 rebounds a game?  Not many.

Most of us are too young to remember those days, but I know my father’s stories about his passion made a huge impression on me.  For most of us, Norm Van Lier was the voice of reason as a broadcaster.  His famous line, which he repeated over and over again was when he pleaded with the Bulls over the last ten years to give “48 minutes of intensity” every night.  He knew better than most that you can make up for a lack of talent if you have heart and leave everything on the court.  His analyses of the team and organization were straightforward and unfiltered.  He was never afraid to criticize or call out players and coaches, but he never did it gratuitously.

Stormin Norman is in a better place now, but his legacy here will live on in those of us who were lucky enough to experience his strong opinions and love of the game.

We’ll miss you Norm.