There’s something timelessly heroic about two basketball warriors locked in man-to-man combat, each striving to be the last man standing. It’s an age-old struggle, rooted in our distant past. It is a test of will against an opponent on the path to immortality. Each era of the sport of basketball has seen some titanic battles unfold: “Magic” vs. Bird, Wilt vs. Russell, “Stormin’ Norman” Van Lier vs. “Pistol Pete” Maravich.
Even through dribbling, passing, shooting and ball-handling are something just about every guy who’s ever picked up a basketball wanted to develop to their fullest potential, the list of those who have actually succeeded in crafting basketball’s fundamental skills worthy of universal praise and envy is a short one: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Oscar Robinson, Bob Cousy, LeBron James. It is safe to say we can nominate Norm Van Lier for membership in this very exclusive club of elite gunslingers.
NORMAN VAN LIER
Unless you’ve been around this sport awhile and have watched more games than you care to remember, you may not realize that a player’s statistics aren’t always an accurate representation of how great or bad he was. It’s all relative to the era he’s competing in, whom else he’s competing against and the coaching philosophy of his organization. But who would argue with the conviction that Van Lier displayed when he played this game.
Nicknamed “Stormin’ Norman” for his tenacity and aggressive defense, Van Lier was the captain of the famed 1965 Midland High School Basketball team that went undefeated and captured the state championship. The team, coached by Hank Kuzma, was led by Van Lier and senior All-American Simmie Hill.
Van Lier played college basketball at St. Francis College in Loretto, Pa., and played 11 years in the NBA for the Cincinnati Royals and the Chicago Bulls. “Stormin’ Norman” led the NBA in assists his rookie year. He appeared in four All-Star games and was named to the All-Star Defensive team eight times.
On June 21, Van Lier was inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame along with Swin Cash, Dick Groat, Don Hennon, Ron “Po” James, Colleen Rosensteel, Michelle Chow and Candy Young.
“It was an honor for me to come back home and get inducted into the Hall of Fame in front of my family and closest friends,” said Van Lier. “It was bittersweet for me because my high school (Midland) no longer exists. I have nothing but great memories.”
Van Lier’s 1965 Midland team is often mentioned as the best in Western Pennsylvania history.
“Western Pennsylvania is football country, but my years are considered the golden era of basketball not only in the state but maybe the country,” said Van Lier. “Uniontown, Midland, Schenley and Ambridge could play with anybody, anytime and in any era in the country.”
Perhaps with the exception of the 1955 Overbrook Hilltoppers led by Wilt Chamberlain.
The WPIAL dominated high school basketball from 1964 through 1967.
The Uniontown Red Raiders went undefeated (28-0) in 1964 and won the state championship. Midland went undefeated in 1965 and also won the state championship. In 1966, the Schenley Spartans led by Kenny Durrett and Petey Gibson went undefeated and won a state championship.
And perhaps the greatest team in WPIAL history was the 1967 Ambridge High School Bridgers. The 1967 team of Dick DeVenzio, Dennis Wuycik, Frank Kauffman, Walt Ostrowski and Phil DePasquale is considered one of the all-time best teams in the country.
During his 10-year career, Van Lier was one of the most popular Bulls players of the 1970s. “Stormin’ Norman” held the record for the longest field goal in NBA history (84 feet) for 24 years and played in the backcourt with Utah Jazz head coach, Jerry Sloan.
“Jerry Sloan was a great basketball player,” said Van Lier. “He played in the NBA for 11 years and we both took a lot of pride in playing defense.”
Van Lier left the game respected by players and worshiped by fans as no other player had been before him, and as few have been since.
Today, Van Lier is an in-studio analyst for Fox Sports Chicago, where he hosts the pre-game, half-time and post-game analysis of the Chicago Bulls basketball games. He also appears on “Sports Sunday” on Chicago NBC-TV affiliate WWAQ Channel 5. He is also a co-host of the popular daily drive-time sports talk show “The Bull and the Bear” on WSCR-AM 1160 “The Score” with longtime friend and Bears star Doug Buffone.
But Van Lier’s fondest memories are of those growing up and playing football and basketball at Midland and teaming up with 6-7 Simmie Hill, who also played in the NBA. Two future pros on one team is somewhat of a rarity in high school basketball.
In 1965, Hill was rated as the second best high school basketball player in the country behind Lew Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabber. Abdul-Jabber is the leading scorer in NBA history. Hill scored 38 points in the WPIAL championship game and was MVP of the Roundball Classic when he scored 29 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.
“Simmie Hill is the greatest player that I have ever played with or played against,” said Van Lier. “Simmie Hill is the greatest high school player that I have ever seen.”
It’s obvious that Mr. Van Lier has never seen Jeannette’s football and basketball star, Terrelle Pryor on the hardwood.