CHICAGO — Norm Van Lier, one of the most popular players in Chicago Bulls history and one of the NBA’s top defensive players in the 1970s, was found dead in his home just blocks away from the team’s arena Thursday. He was 61.
The cause of death was not immediately known, authorities said.
Van Lier retired after the 1979 season with 8,770 points and 5,217 assists.
And the day only got worse for Bulls fans.
Johnny “Red” Kerr, the former Bulls coach who spent more than three decades as a broadcaster for the team, died at his home after a battle with prostate cancer.
Kerr, who coached the Bulls to the playoffs in their inaugural 1966-67 season, was 76.
• Cavaliers forward Ben Wallace will miss four to six weeks after breaking his right leg in Cleveland’s 93-74 loss to the Houston Rockets. Wallace said Yao Ming kicked him as the two were running down the court in the second quarter. Wallace managed to play midway into the third quarter before leaving for good with 6:19 left.
• Suns guard Steve Nash missed Phoenix’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers because of an injured right ankle.
Vonn OK after fall in training
BANSKO, Bulgaria — World Cup leader Lindsey Vonn fell during downhill training but will be fine to compete in today’s race.
“She lost a ski and went off- course and banged her back a little bit. But she’s OK. She’s going to be fine for (today),” team spokesman Doug Haney said.
• Bode Miller has extended his break from the ski circuit for another week to spend time with his 1-year-old daughter in San Diego.
After skipping two races in Sestriere, Italy, last weekend, the defending World Cup overall champion also will sit out a giant slalom and slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, this weekend.
OU’s Pattillo suspended; Griffin questionable
NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma forward Juan Pattillo has been suspended by coach Jeff Capel for violating an undisclosed team rule and will miss Saturday’s game at Texas Tech.
Meanwhile, Sooners preseason All-America forward Blake Griffin is still recovering from a concussion and Capel said he isn’t sure when the sophomore, who has already missed one game, will be healthy enough to play.
• Duke sophomore guard Nolan Smith is out indefinitely with a mild concussion suffered during Wednesday’s victory at Maryland.
Footnotes.
Texas backup quarterback John Chiles, a junior next season, will move to wide receiver when the Longhorns begin spring practice today.
• ESPN will air the 2010 world championships and other major international basketball tournaments in the United States under a three- year contract with the sport’s governing body.
• American Adam Rippon easily beat Michal Brezina of the Czech Republic and Russia’s Artem Grigoriev to win his second straight men’s title at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. The Associated Press
