--Before Saturday's game against Houston, the Bulls honored the memory of two legends, Johnny "Red" Kerr and Norm Van Lier. Kerr was the first coach in Bulls history and worked as one of the team's broadcasters for 33 years. Van Lier was a feisty point guard who played for the Bulls from 1971-78 and was a regular on the team's pregame and postgame shows. Both men died Thursday, Kerr from prostate cancer and Van Lier from unknown causes.
"A part of Bulls history is gone," general manager John Paxson said. "One of the ways that some of our history was kept alive was through those two guys. Norm was always talking about the Bulls of the '70s and reminding people how tough they were, and that was a good thing. Johnny had such a unique perspective on this organization from Day One." Some Bulls players suggested they would play hard to honor the memory of Kerr and Van Lier.
"It's great to hear, but it's better to see," Paxson said. "I hope that they mean it. Norm did play hard, and even though Johnny was never a Bulls player, he was an iron man."
--Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro threatened to consider lineup changes following Friday's 23-point loss at Washington, which began with the Wizards jumping to a 12-2 lead. But he ultimately decided not to alter anything when the Bulls returned home a day later to face Houston.
"They know they have to start games better, then the changes will be my decision," Del Negro said before the game. "Hopefully tonight we'll come out with some grit and some toughness and get after it. If that's not the case, then it will be a lot easier to make changes."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's been bothering me maybe three or four weeks. I thought it was just a sprain. I had a play in the first half where I jumped up and I felt it." -- F Luol Deng, on the possible stress fracture in his tibia.
