Van Lier and Kerr Pass On

Odd as far as coincidences go, but two Bulls legends pass away on the same day:

• He was a high school and college basketball great, an NBA champion and an All-Star, a front-office executive and a respected broadcaster, but Johnny Kerr, who died tonight at 76 after a long battle with prostate cancer, always will be known as a Chicago Bull.
  
  Perhaps the best ambassador the Bulls will ever have, Kerr's nickname, "Red" -- for his hair color -- couldn't have been more appropriate. In many ways, Kerr was Mr. Bull: the first coach in franchise history, NBA Coach of the Year that 1966-67 season, later the club's business manager and finally its television and radio analyst for 33 years.
  
  
• Norm Van Lier, one of the most popular players in Bulls history, was found dead in his Chicago apartment today. He was 61.

  The cause of death was not released, pending a report by the Cook County medical examiner's office.

  Van Lier had been working as a Bulls analyst for ComcastSportsnet Chicago after 10-year playing career.

RIP gentlemen.