Chicago Bulls All Time Starting Five Players

Point Guard — Norm Van Lier (1971-1977)

No, it is not Derrick Rose. While Rose burst onto the scene as Rookie of the Year and as the youngest Most Valuable Player in NBA history, the guy I want to lead the team is Norm Van Lier.

Van Lier was one of the best defenders in Bulls history, and that is saying something because the Bulls have a history of producing some of the best defenders in the league year-in and year-out.

Van Lier was selected to the All Defensive First Team three times, and to the Second Team four times while wearing a Bulls uniform. He also made All NBA Second Time once.

Van Lier averaged 12.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game in his seven seasons with the Bulls.

There was no one tougher to play against than Van Lier. He went after other point guards and would be all over them until the final buzzer.

You love the way Rodman dove for loose balls? Van Lier did the same and he also did his best to knock the other guy away from the ball as much as possible.

Van Lier knew to play one way only — hard. If he saw you did not play hard, he would be all over you. As Bulls studio analyst, he would constantly call out any player he felt was not playing hard. It was a mortal sin not to play hard.

Next: Shooting Guard