if Len Bias didn't die prematurely how would NBA history have changed?

[STATUTORY]

Isn't it weird how everything is connected. if Len Bias never bought that drug and overdosed, how different would the NBA have been. The boston celtics would never have been irrelevant in the 90s. And MJ probably would have gone on ringless as a bald headed dominique. Jordan brand sneakers never take off. MJ retires without that constant stream of income. and with his gambling debts goes bankrupt. Becomes a cautionary tale like Anthony Walker.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Isn't it weird how everything is connected. if Len Bias never bought that drug and overdosed, how different would the NBA have been. The boston celtics would never have been irrelevant in the 90s. And MJ probably would have gone on ringless as a bald headed dominique. Jordan brand sneakers never take off. MJ retires without that constant stream of income. and with his gambling debts goes bankrupt. Becomes a cautionary tale like Anthony Walker.

Not like we couldn't see the agenda coming from before we even clicked on the thread... :oldlol:

[STATUTORY]

my only agenda is reminenscing bout a great bball player Len Bias wit other older mature homes who watched him play

[the_wise_one]

Isn't it weird how everything is connected. if Len Bias never bought that drug and overdosed, how different would the NBA have been. The boston celtics would never have been irrelevant in the 90s. And MJ probably would have gone on ringless as a bald headed dominique. Jordan brand sneakers never take off. MJ retires without that constant stream of income. and with his gambling debts goes bankrupt. Becomes a cautionary tale like Anthony Walker.

Celtics would never been irrelevant in the 90s and might've won 1 or 2 more rings but Jordan would probably still win rings.

[DonCorleone]

What if I decided to play Basketball as a career? I am the greatest Baksetball player of all time.

I would have lead a team of scrubs to 3 straight chips.

[UwishUhadWall]

DC native and Terps fan here. Bias is one of the big tragedies in sports history and ultimate what if. To say him living would have stripped Jordan of his rings and made Jordan irrelevant is absurd though.

[Grim]

Possible that he could have taken a chip or two from MJ.

[Bernie Nips]

Bias would've been like the original LeBron, but under the tutelage of Bird and McHale.

The thought of how good he might have been is frightening.

[ashbelly]

No, Jordan was owning him in college, the same would've transitioned to the NBA. Bias would've self destruct in the NBA with his Cocaine use anyways.

[wpdougie2180]

The thing everyone misses about Bias's death is the fact they still would have had the original Boston Big 3, Bias, and this is the big one Reggie Lewis. What most fans that didn't watch that era of basketball don't know is the fact Jordan couldn't handle Lewis at all. He always struggled when matched up against him offensively and defensively. And Boston still would have drafted Lewis since he was little known coming out of Northeastern.

[DeronMillsap]

No, Jordan was owning him in college, the same would've transitioned to the NBA. Bias would've self destruct in the NBA with his Cocaine use anyways.
No, yes and no.

Jordan and Bias were basically 3-seasons apart in college. But yes, Jordan would have owned him in the pros like he did to everybody else. And supposedly when he overdosed it was his first time doing coke so let's not say he'd have drug abusing lifestyle. It was a terrible decision when he did it and it took his life.

[ashbelly]

No and no.

Jordan and Bias were basically 3-seasons apart. And supposedly when he overdosed it was his first time doing coke.


:no: :no: i find it hard to believe this. dude had the junkie lip going.. proof that he had been doing it for a while.


http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/pg2/2002/0307/photo/a_bias_sp.jpg

http://sportsx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/darryl-strawberry-rookie-card-208x300.jpg

[TennesseeFan]

Len Bias died using coke?

:O

[DeronMillsap]

:no: :no: i find it hard to believe this. dude had the junkie lip going.. proof that he had been doing it for a while.
WTF is a junkie lip?

[DixieNourmous]

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/1489/imdepressedbetterdrinkm.jpg

[ashbelly]

WTF is a junkie lip?

To identify heavy cocaine/crack users, look at the upper lip.. easy to tell. esp if they are black.

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/pg2/2002/0307/photo/a_bias_sp.jpg

http://www.bet.com/Assets/BET/Published/image/jpeg/7c83666b-a683-3a73-4ed8-f695ed491dda-DarrylStrawberry_033110_fb.jpg

[MayCeltics]

Reggie Lewis+Len Bias=Championships

rip to both.

[Harion]

what if that girl never settled? Kobe would be a convicted rapist now. a lot of rapist fans' lives in here would be forever scarred.

[DeronMillsap]

To identify heavy cocaine/crack users, look at the upper lip.. easy to tell. esp if they are black.

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/pg2/2002/0307/photo/a_bias_sp.jpg

http://sportsx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/darryl-strawberry-rookie-card-208x300.jpg

Dumbass!!! I got a big upper lip too, doesnt mean I'm a cokehead.

[asdf1990]

what if wilt chamberlin didn't bang gloria james? We wouldn't have to deal with the million lebron threads after every heat loss.

[Basketball Dirk]

If the Trailblazers wouldn't have such health issues then would the Lakers have repeated?

They'd have the best front court in the league.

[ashbelly]

Dumbass!!! I got a big upper lip too, doesnt mean I'm a cokehead.

:facepalm i'm not going to argue with you. believe what you want. I know my what i'm talking about.

[8BeastlyXOIAD]

:facepalm i'm not going to argue with you. believe what you want. I know my what i'm talking about.
:rolleyes: hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[ashbelly]

http://www.exposay.com/celebrity-photos/michael-irvin-friday-night-lights-los-angeles-premiere-arrivals-0j1ZWP.jpg

[JohnnySic]

NBA history would be radically different had Bias lived. First off, Bird and McHale would not have gotten hurt due to too many minutes in '87 (they were never the same after that). Their careers would have been prolonged; the C's win at least 2 more titles from that group.

The Bad Boy Pistons would be just a footnote in history, another stacked team that never won.

Even the Jordanaires would likely have been delayed. The C's would have contended throught the early mid-90's at least. The probably dont draft Reggie Lewis (same position as Bias) and the dont end up with Walker and Pierce.

MJ would have had the "foil" that he never had.

[Apocalyptic0n3]

The league would have had a stricter drug checking policy by now, I think.

[guy]

No, yes and no.

Jordan and Bias were basically 3-seasons apart in college. But yes, Jordan would have owned him in the pros like he did to everybody else. And supposedly when he overdosed it was his first time doing coke so let's not say he'd have drug abusing lifestyle. It was a terrible decision when he did it and it took his life.

There's been reports arguing that he was doing it before. Maybe I heard something differently, but wasn't there reports that the coach knew about it beforehand? Either way, I'd have to guess that he was a regular user. If a kid is disciplined enough to go that long without doing it, why in the world would he decide to start trying it two days after the NBA draft with this multi-million dollar life ahead of him? Thats absurd.

I've never done coke in my life but I've had plenty of chances and know people that I could do with it if I wanted to. If just I got some job that pays me $1 million per year, the last thing I'm thinking about it is celebrating by TRYING coke.

[JohnnySic]

What most fans that didn't watch that era of basketball don't know is the fact Jordan couldn't handle Lewis at all.
Maybe an exaggeration, but truth there.

Reggie Lewis is the forgotten superstar.

[D-nugz]

It would have been an even more entertaining era in basketball history.

[Soundwave]

No disrespect to Len Bias, but why in the world were the Celtics getting such a high draft pick to begin with?

They were already like one of the best teams in the NBA at that time, they had no business drafting that high as far as I'm concerned.

When you look at stuff like that, no wonder the NBA has had really no parity in its history compared to other pro sports leagues. It's like 3-4 GMs taking advantage of 27 other idiots.

If Patrick Ewing (a far more hyped college athlete than either Jordan or Bias) couldn't stop Jordan from winning 6 titles, I don't really see what the hell Bias would've done to stop Jordan as Bird's back gave out and McHale/Parrish got old.

[ProfessorMurder]

If a kid is disciplined enough to go that long without doing it, why in the world would he decide to start trying it two days after the NBA draft with this multi-million dollar life ahead of him? Thats absurd.

You kidding me? That's the absolute best time to try a drug.

Can't get in trouble from his college anymore, can't hurt his draft stock, signed a huge shoe deal, a last night with college friends, and all of your work culminated to this point. Sounds like a perfect reason to try something to celebrate.

Don't forget the area he was in and the huge amount of coke being done. Why not try it once when your teammates and friends are doing it?

I wouldn't have done the same, I don't even drink... But you can't condemn someone for one night, for trying something that thousands of people do with no repercussions.

Also, ashbelly further proves his retard status.

[nycelt84]

NBA history would be radically different had Bias lived. First off, Bird and McHale would not have gotten hurt due to too many minutes in '87 (they were never the same after that). Their careers would have been prolonged; the C's win at least 2 more titles from that group.

The Bad Boy Pistons would be just a footnote in history, another stacked team that never won.

Even the Jordanaires would likely have been delayed. The C's would have contended throught the early mid-90's at least. The probably dont draft Reggie Lewis (same position as Bias) and the dont end up with Walker and Pierce.

MJ would have had the "foil" that he never had.

Red Auerbach was always going to draft Reggie Lewis. Reggie was chosen in the bottom of the 1st round and had been on the Celtics radar for years. They were ecstatic that he fell so low in the draft.

As for Larry he was a ticking time bomb for injuries. His back injuries were predicted to happen years earlier and it was only a question of when they would occur. Bias or not his fate was sealed.

[Harison]

Celtics would have had few more rings, but I'm 100% positive Jordan would have gotten rings anyway, maybe the same 6. Even if his championships runs would be delayed, Jordan might not retired because of finally having someone to compete with.

[Bandito]

:facepalm i'm not going to argue with you. believe what you want. I know my what i'm talking about.
YOu're cokehead aren't you? That would explain a lot...

[rodman91]

http://www.motifake.com/image/demotivational-poster/1101/genius-funny-genius-guns-sticks-demotivational-posters-1296011881.jpg

[Thorn]

No disrespect to Len Bias, but why in the world were the Celtics getting such a high draft pick to begin with?

I believe Gerald Henderson was traded for the #2 pick that became Len Bias.

In response to the original question, the next few years would have changed. Since Bias would have been able to rest Bird/McHale/etc in the grueling 1987 playoffs (Bird played 44 minutes/game and McHale was playing on a broken foot), they could probably give the '87 Lakers a better run for their money in the Finals. Considering that the '87 Celts played two 7 game series (against a veteran Bucks team and the Bad Boy Pistons), a skilled rookie would've certainly helped (especially since both Walton and Wedman were injured, forcing KC to use guys like Daye/Kite/Sichting/Vincent) The Celtics would maybe be able to hold off Detroit in 1988, but Bird's time was ticking. The Pistons' window probably closes slightly, but Jordan's Bulls probably still wins the six titles. I'm astounded that the '87 Celtics could even play the way they did in that playoffs with their injuries. Even more remarkable that they were so close to tie the Finals at 2-2 had Bird's shot gone in. Terrible luck for the Celtics, but people will always wonder what could have been with Bias/Lewis.

[KB2clutch]

wow everyone old person i know always talks about him as if he was the best player who never got to play in the nba, but i wanna know is if he was so good than why was he the #2 pick instead of #1

[get these NETS]

wow everyone old person i know always talks about him as if he was the best player who never got to play in the nba, but i wanna know is if he was so good than why was he the #2 pick instead of #1

serious? or playing?

[KB2clutch]

serious? or playing?

obviously im serious, if you're projected to rival jordan than why are you the second pick overall

[get these NETS]

obviously im serious, if you're projected to rival jordan than why are you the second pick overall


jordan comparisons probably come from both of them dominating the same conference...the ACC

as you know, teams draft based on their own personnel and what they think they need to add


the first pick that year was a traditional big man....North Carolina's Brad Daughterty ...who had a good college career also....probably multiple all america teams..all acc for sure...

team that picked him were probably filling a need...
same way that Portland Trailblazers (with clyde drexler) overlooked MJ and drafted a big man...sam bowie

Celtics felt that Bias was a better fit for their needs... coming in to spell the 3-4 spots


I didn't know whether you were serious because everything I'm writing is obvious to people who follow drafts.

[raptorfan_dr07]

What if Kobe ended up in Charlotte like he should have? Nothing more than a slightly more glorified Allen Iverson/Vince Carter/Tracy McGrady with no Shaq/Lakers organization to piggy back to rings. :banana: :banana:

[KenneBell]

My dad still maintains that Bias was better than MJ. They were in college the same time he was and saw them in person during conference play.

[get these NETS]

My dad still maintains that Bias was better than MJ. They were in college the same time he was and saw them in person during conference play.


only man to hold jordan below 20 ppg?


Dean Smith




Didn't get to see the full Jordan until the pros...whereas Bias probably dominated the offense at Maryland.

[CrazyLond]

Kevin Durant wouldn't be around because he wouldn't have been reincarnated yet.

Similar playing styles. Bias died near Washington, D.C., where Durant was born a couple years later. Same sort of size, same sort of talent. It's obvious.

[get these NETS]

Kevin Durant wouldn't be around because he wouldn't have been reincarnated yet.

Similar playing styles. Bias died near Washington, D.C., where Durant was born a couple years later. Same sort of size, same sort of talent. It's obvious.


Bias had size and strength... Durant is a beanpole.

Bias was an inside outside terror...

[crisoner]

I honestly think Bias would of lead the Celtics to a title or two.
Sad man.....still sad about him passing till this day.

[Blzrfn]

I believe Gerald Henderson was traded for the #2 pick that became Len Bias.

In response to the original question, the next few years would have changed. Since Bias would have been able to rest Bird/McHale/etc in the grueling 1987 playoffs (Bird played 44 minutes/game and McHale was playing on a broken foot), they could probably give the '87 Lakers a better run for their money in the Finals. Considering that the '87 Celts played two 7 game series (against a veteran Bucks team and the Bad Boy Pistons), a skilled rookie would've certainly helped (especially since both Walton and Wedman were injured, forcing KC to use guys like Daye/Kite/Sichting/Vincent) The Celtics would maybe be able to hold off Detroit in 1988, but Bird's time was ticking. The Pistons' window probably closes slightly, but Jordan's Bulls probably still wins the six titles. I'm astounded that the '87 Celtics could even play the way they did in that playoffs with their injuries. Even more remarkable that they were so close to tie the Finals at 2-2 had Bird's shot gone in. Terrible luck for the Celtics, but people will always wonder what could have been with Bias/Lewis.

Yes, you are right about Henderson. The Sonics were another moronic team that the Celtics fleeced. They must have gotten excited about Henderson because of the steal that he made in the 1984 NBA Finals. What a joke.

Speaking of that steal, there is another what if right there. If Henderson doesn't make that play, the Celtics may not have been in position to get Bias. Also, in addition, the Bulls may not have gotten Pippen, or if they did, they may not have gotten Pippen and Horace Grant, another key piece to their title teams of the early-90's.

How? Let me explain.

On November 12, 1986, The Sonics traded Gerald Henderson and the 18th pick to the Knicks for the #5 pick and a 1990 second rounder. The Sonics used that pick on Pippen, and then traded him to Chicago. That could have been the Knicks who got Pippen. If they would have taken him, and hired a CBA coach named Phil Jackson to replace Pitino instead of Stu Jackson, maybe Ewing gets a ring or two in the 90's.

[t-rex]

Isn't it weird how everything is connected. if Len Bias never bought that drug and overdosed, how different would the NBA have been. The boston celtics would never have been irrelevant in the 90s. And MJ probably would have gone on ringless as a bald headed dominique. Jordan brand sneakers never take off. MJ retires without that constant stream of income. and with his gambling debts goes bankrupt. Becomes a cautionary tale like Anthony Walker.


If Len Bias had not died