CHI, Ill., Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Former Chicago Bulls star guard and broadcaster Norman Van Lier was found dead in his Chicago apartment Thursday. He was 61.
A cause of death is unknown pending a report by the Cook County (Ill.) medical examiner's office, the Chicago Sun-Times said.
Van Lier had been a Bulls analyst for ComcastSportsnet Chicago.
A fan favorite, "Stormin Norman" Van Lier played for the Bulls from 1971-78 and was a three-time All-Star best known for his defensive prowess. At 6-foot-1, he was known for his ferocious play during 10 NBA seasons in Cincinnati, Chicago and Milwaukee.
"It's very sad," Comcast SportsNet President Jim Corno told the Chicago Tribune. "He was one of our most popular, recognizable personalities, was a part of the family here (and) he's going to be missed.
"I remember him chasing Sidney Wicks around the old Chicago Stadium with a folding chair, trying to fight him," Comcast SportsNet voice David Kaplan said. "And that's the way he broadcast."
Van Lier held the record for the longest field goal in NBA history (84 ft) for 24 years until Golden State's Baron Davis bettered it in November 2001.
