March 1, 2009
BULLS BITS BY K.C. JOHNSON
Ex-Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krause recalls Norm Van Lier's competitive side— even as card player
WASHINGTON — In 1969, then-scout Jerry Krause attended the La Salle-St. Francis game featuring Larry Cannon and Norm Van Lier in Loretto, Pa.
A snowstorm blanketed the college town. Trains provided the only mode of transportation to escape the following day. And on that train ride, Krause witnessed Van Lier's legendary competitiveness.
"Norm was tough as nails on the floor, but I watched him play a card game on that ride and you could see he hated to lose at anything," Krause said in a rare phone interview. "I always had an appreciation for his competitiveness and his talent."
The Bulls drafted Cannon with their first-round pick in 1969 and Van Lier in the third round.
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Sitting pretty: Imagine being 8- and 5-year-old Wizards fans. Imagine snagging courtside seats. Then imagine sitting next to President Barack Obama. That's what happened to Jack and Nicholas Aiello.
"We talked about mostly the Wizards," said Jack, 8. "He kind of likes them. But more the Bulls."
Joe Clark sat kitty-corner from Obama and said the fact the president chose to sit courtside while sipping a beer rather than waving from a luxury suite proved "he hasn't lost the common touch."
But Clark said fans heckled Obama for rooting for the Bulls.
"Hey, he's from Chicago," guard Ben Gordon said. "He called us the first team. He's a loyal fan. That makes it special."
Layups: The Wizards flashed images of Johnny "Red" Kerr and Van Lier and then held a moment of silence for both of the late Bulls greats. … The Bulls will present a video tribute and have a moment of silence for both men preceding Saturday's home game against Houston. Plans still are being formalized for possible jersey patches or some such tribute for players to wear. … Tyrus Thomas tallied one block and has at least one in 19 straight games.
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