PED's in the nba

[DonD13]

I don't know nothing about it, so please ISH educate me:

- What kind of testing do they have?
- What substances are beeing tested?
- What happens if you get caught?
- Who got caught?
- Is there enough testing/too much testing in your oppinion?

[chips93]

rashard lewis got caught for them a few years back right? got like 15 games suspended, and has been on the dexline ever since

rose and durant have both stated that other players use them, but retracted their statements afterwards (PR move presumably)

thats about all ive heard with regards to peds and the nba

[Jef]

didnt OJ Mayo get caught 2 years ago as well?

[chocolatethunder]

I know people who play or have played professional baseball football and basketball both in the NBA and overseas. There's a general perception that PED use is commonplace in the NFL and MLB. Part of the reason is the size of the players which is understandable. However, my friends who played in MLB told me that tons of little guys like infielders who didn't look particularly big or strong would use them like crazy. PEDs don't make you muscular they just make you be able to recover quickly. They said that Dominican infielders would take them like vitamins and not even really work out and just use them for recovery. My one friend also said that his last steroid dealer told him that if the NBA ever cracked down on PEDs that he'd go broke. He said that in his experience, the NBA was the league in which the problem was the worst. Their testing is a joke and there isn't that much suspicion because much like the infielders in baseball, the basketball players are using them more for recovery. Now obviusly guys like Howard would be using them to get bigger. So in my estimation I would say that PED use is rampant in the NBA.

[Rolando]

I wonder about testing during the off season. Do they do it?

How about during a strike, like last summer. To me, that would be the perfect time to get in some PEDs, particularly for the older guys who need to heal and rebuild.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Olympians undergo random year round testing, I believe. So i doubt use of steroids is THAT bad in the NBA.

[chocolatethunder]

Olympians undergo random year round testing, I believe. So i doubt use of steroids is THAT bad in the NBA.
You can't be serious can you? The dopers have been and always will be ahead of the testers. Do you know anything about the BALCO scandal? As soon as there is a test for a specific drug, a new designer drug is created or a masking agent is used to throw off the testers. Do you realize that until recently there wasn't even a way to test if someone was using HGH? Think about that for a moment. When you know the guy who is competing with you for your job is or may be taking HGH and you can't even get tested for you and not doing it could cost you literally millions of dollars, why would you not do it? You must not follow olympic sports in any way because people are busted all the time. Just this week the Silver medalist in the discus from 2004 from Hungary refused his drug test and was banned from the Olympics. He joins the 2004 gold medalist also from Hungary who is banned for PEDs. I know firsthand from people who play these sports, what do you know? You choose to be naive and think that this isn't happening in basketball for some reason. Well it is happening just as it happens in all sports. You must be very young.

[shaq's--lakers]

Everybody knows that Kobe is on HGH and had to go to Germany and do it because it is illegal in America

[OldSchoolBBall]

There is NO DOUBT in my mind that a ton of guys are on HGH supplementation. Especially the elite guys like Kobe, Wade etc.

[OldSchoolBBall]

PEDs don't make you muscular they just make you be able to recover quickly. They said that Dominican infielders would take them like vitamins and not even really work out and just use them for recovery. My one friend also said that his last steroid dealer told him that if the NBA ever cracked down on PEDs that he'd go broke. He said that in his experience, the NBA was the league in which the problem was the worst. Their testing is a joke and there isn't that much suspicion because much like the infielders in baseball, the basketball players are using them more for recovery. Now obviusly guys like Howard would be using them to get bigger. So in my estimation I would say that PED use is rampant in the NBA.

Yup, and this is the dirty little secret to much of the "longevity" of today's players. They're not doing it naturally.

[chocolatethunder]

And let me just add that Marion Jones never failed a drug test but admitted doping and paid dearly for it. In addition Lance Armstrong has never officially failed a test in over 500 tests but is a known doper as is every winner of the TDF since LeMond. Armstrong did anonymously fail two tests however. Something that he refuses to admit.

[Kobe681]

I honestly dont see what the big deal is.

If it were up to me I would let professional players use PED's as long as they are doing it under a doctors' supervision and are doing it at their own (acknowledged) risk.

[CoryThaGr8]

I thought for recovery all NBA players just used those cyrogenic chambers...tht seems a lot easier then messing with drugs

[theaussieguy]

There is NO DOUBT in my mind that a ton of guys are on HGH supplementation. Especially the elite guys like Kobe, Wade etc.

yep, its very obvious in some players, just that fine conditioning they get even with age like derek fisher.

[guy]

There is NO DOUBT in my mind that a ton of guys are on HGH supplementation. Especially the elite guys like Kobe, Wade etc.

Why Kobe? Definitely see Wade doing it. Just look at his jaw.

[guy]

rashard lewis got caught for them a few years back right? got like 15 games suspended, and has been on the dexline ever since

rose and durant have both stated that other players use them, but retracted their statements afterwards (PR move presumably)

thats about all ive heard with regards to peds and the nba

It doesn't seem like Rose likes guys like Lebron and Wade. Every time he's around them like in an all-star setting he looks like he hates them. I wonder if thats part of the reason.

[steve]

Why Kobe? Definitely see Wade doing it. Just look at his jaw.

Think about how often Kobe has been injured over the last few seasons and how quickly he's been able to come back from them. There's been some drop off obviously, but not nearly as much as someone who has logged as many minutes as Kobe. I'm not saying that Kobe does or has used them, and frankly there hasn't been enough of a smoking gun yet to really suggest it (and that could just be the media turning a blind eye to the whole thing), but if there was a prime candidate knowing what we know about PEDs and their usage, Kobe would be right at the top.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Think about how often Kobe has been injured over the last few seasons and how quickly he's been able to come back from them. There's been some drop off obviously, but not nearly as much as someone who has logged as many minutes as Kobe. I'm not saying that Kobe does or has used them, and frankly there hasn't been enough of a smoking gun yet to really suggest it (and that could just be the media turning a blind eye to the whole thing), but if there was a prime candidate knowing what we know about PEDs and their usage, Kobe would be right at the top.

Exactly.

[Punpun]

Kobe, right at the top ? Not Lebron, the physical freak who has never been really injured ? Or Westbrook "nver missed a game" ?

Oh, and people kid themselves if they think people like Wilt etc. didn't use Roids.

Heck, Wilt was prolly using them even after he retired. It's not for nothing he died of Heart Failure.

[Chalkmaze]

Lots of speculation without proof in this thread.

Dr. J was on PEDS?

Magic Johnson was on PEDS?

Larry Bird was on PEDS?

Jeff Hornacek was on PED's?

Clyde Drexler was on PED's?

I'm sure there are a few players who've used them at some point, but they are not necessary in the NBA.

[jl1718]

Let's be honest it's widespread. Look at when some of these players came straight outta high school. Ripped, big as f*ck, and able to play at a all star level over a 82 game season. Child please, the NBA missed the meteor that landed on the NFL and MLB.

[KenneBell]

Exactly.
:roll:

Never fails. I suppose MJ just came back at 38 able to score 20+ppg off of pure will and determination.

[Linspired]

kobe with additional confidence means 6 for 24 instead of 6 for 18. :roll:

[AK47DR91]

Think about how often Kobe has been injured over the last few seasons and how quickly he's been able to come back from them. There's been some drop off obviously, but not nearly as much as someone who has logged as many minutes as Kobe. I'm not saying that Kobe does or has used them, and frankly there hasn't been enough of a smoking gun yet to really suggest it (and that could just be the media turning a blind eye to the whole thing), but if there was a prime candidate knowing what we know about PEDs and their usage, Kobe would be right at the top.
I think a lot of players are on PED's and steroids, the kind that heal injuries faster. If you're a superstar, you're more likely to get away with it as Stern wouldn't want you to miss too many games.

[ncrizzle]

Does the NBA even do normal drug testing? Nba players are notorious weed smokers and no one ever gets tested for that.

OJ mayo did get caught using DHEA in the 10-11 season . Same drug as Rashard

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/27277010

[chocolatethunder]

Lots of speculation without proof in this thread.

Dr. J was on PEDS?

Magic Johnson was on PEDS?

Larry Bird was on PEDS?

Jeff Hornacek was on PED's?

Clyde Drexler was on PED's?

I'm sure there are a few players who've used them at some point, but they are not necessary in the NBA.
Wait a second. Please tell me why they "are not necessary in the NBA?" What about the pounding of an 82 game schedule could PED's not help. You do realize that their primary use is for recovery not for bulking up don't you? Get a grip homie.

[bmulls]

By the time a drug test is laboratory tested, peer reviewed and finally approved the by FDA you've got 20-somethings with a PHD in chemistry who are already 10 steps ahead of the process.

Back in the early 2000s there was a "prohormone" (term for steroids which hasn't been banned by FDA yet) called Superdrol. It was eventually banned, but you can walk into any GNC store or dial up Amazon.com right now and find a clone (M-Drol, M-Stane, etc) which is virtually the same drug with a few minor chemical tweaks. Once it passes through your liver it has the same effect in your blood stream as the original drug, but it's not technically illegal yet. By the time the FDA catches this round of clones, there will be a dozen more.

You can buy the Superdrol clones for like $40 a bottle, now just imagine what kind of shit you could get a hold of as a millionaire athlete.

Also a lot of these drugs have half lives of a day or even a few hours. Even if they were able to develop a reliable test for them they'd need to catch the player almost immediately.

And like a lot of people already said, they are not necessarily using anabolic steroids. There are peptides, HGH, IGF-1 and a whole shitload of other PEDs out there. The typical stereotypes of bad skin and muscle growth is ignorant and about 20 years outdated. Check out rui-products.com, you can buy a lot of this stuff off the internet if you're savvy enough to mix the proper concentrations and inject yourself.

Sorry this turned out so long a post but you are very naive if you think that any professional sport is clean.

[Floppy]

I honestly dont see what the big deal is.

If it were up to me I would let professional players use PED's as long as they are doing it under a doctors' supervision and are doing it at their own (acknowledged) risk.
The point of taking PEDs is to get an edge over your opponents. If you legalize PEDs athletes with the best drugs and/or athletes who are willing to take the most risks will win.

Hardly fair and not really role models for your children.

[chocolatethunder]

The point of taking PEDs is to get an edge over your opponents. If you legalize PEDs athletes with the best drugs and/or athletes who are willing to take the most risks will win.

Hardly fair and not really role models for your children.
Wait a sec kiddo, that's what is happening now. Legalization isn't necessary. These guys have access to all the latest/greatest PED's for sure. And the ones who are willing to take the most risks are winning. Open your eyes. You really think that Dwight Howard has never used PED's? Or Lebron, or Wade? Grow up buddy.

[DKLaker]

The reason for the lack of testing is ignorance to the changing times.
Everyone knew that steroids made basketball players bulk up, slow down and become far more at risk for injuries among other things, so basketball players didn't take steroids and there was no reason to test them. Of course steroids has nothing to do with modern day PED's which ARE being taken by NBA players.
Honestly, I would not give a crap if they were taking something that wouldn't shorten their lives or cause long term illness.

[Floppy]

Wait a sec kiddo, that's what is happening now. Legalization isn't necessary. These guys have access to all the latest/greatest PED's for sure. And the ones who are willing to take the most risks are winning. Open your eyes. You really think that Dwight Howard has never used PED's? Or Lebron, or Wade? Grow up buddy.
I'm no kiddo and well aware of the drug abuse in sports.

I'm just saying that legalizing them won't level the playing field and it would make things even worse.

[fpliii]

This isn't a question in response to any one post in particular, or to defend any player(s), but what's the big issue with HGH use? I don't think players NBA are using per se (look at the injuries this past season), but why is it banned (or have whatever status it does)?

From my understanding (which admittedly might by incomplete), it's used primarily in injury recovery and not to augment a guy in any way. If you're going to argue it's unfair since there's probably some time to heal involved and not everyone has the time to do so that's fine, but why shouldn't a player be able to take part in HGH treatment during the offseason if he has a massive injury (what are the health risks/why is such use banned? again I'm not very knowledgeable on this matter, just speaking from my current understanding)?

[General]

Everybody knows that Kobe is on HGH and had to go to Germany and do it because it is illegal in America
You mad that Kobe>Shaq?:confusedshrug:

[gyu]

Olympians undergo random year round testing, I believe. So i doubt use of steroids is THAT bad in the NBA.
I saw a documentary on steroids and there have been U.S. olympians who were known to be using steroids but their files were swept under the rug

[C-Webb4]

I think the way how D-Wade's body is having a hardcore breakdown is a testament to all his drug usage catching up with him. I really believe he'll be out of the league (or significantly worse) in the next 5 years and Bron will not continue to be able to play at the level he's at post 30.

[LA_Showtime]

Since everyone knows that NBA players take performance enhancing drugs, I would like to know WHAT performance enhancing drugs they are taking. Heck, Adderall would be considered a PED, as would pain medication or beta blockers.

[scm5]

Random conspiracy theory:

Do you think Blake Griffin really got injured during a scrimmage and "woke up" with major swelling or did he get selected for urine testing for the Olympics and have to drop out for surgery?

[JohnnySic]

Pfft NBA. NFL is where the real PED abuse is. You never hear about that; I wonder why.

[Punpun]

Random conspiracy theory:

Do you think Blake Griffin really got injured during a scrimmage and "woke up" with major swelling or did he get selected for urine testing for the Olympics and have to drop out for surgery?

Coach K would have prolly given his own urine dude.

[NumberSix]

I know people who play or have played professional baseball football and basketball both in the NBA and overseas. There's a general perception that PED use is commonplace in the NFL and MLB. Part of the reason is the size of the players which is understandable. However, my friends who played in MLB told me that tons of little guys like infielders who didn't look particularly big or strong would use them like crazy. PEDs don't make you muscular they just make you be able to recover quickly. They said that Dominican infielders would take them like vitamins and not even really work out and just use them for recovery. My one friend also said that his last steroid dealer told him that if the NBA ever cracked down on PEDs that he'd go broke. He said that in his experience, the NBA was the league in which the problem was the worst. Their testing is a joke and there isn't that much suspicion because much like the infielders in baseball, the basketball players are using them more for recovery. Now obviusly guys like Howard would be using them to get bigger. So in my estimation I would say that PED use is rampant in the NBA.
Ahhh yes. The classic "My anonymous friend who knows a guy told me" evidence.

Top shelf.

[JM720]

Weren't the biggest boom in PED's from around the 80's - earlier 2000's in most other sports? Before testing finally started getting as serious as possible.

Dont give those NBA players during that era a pass, and try to put it all on todays NBA players.

[blacknapalm]

i've suspected many have done it for a while, especially things like HGH and winstrol. do i have a smoking gun? of course not. i'm speculating just as the rest of you are.

the other thing i wanted to point out is that i don't they take it just to get 'swoll', at least not initially. i think many players use it to recover quicker and come back from injuries at a faster rate. they cycle. how often they do it varies.

[Lebron23]

Ahhh yes. The classic "My anonymous friend who knows a guy told me" evidence.

Top shelf.


These old posters needs to STFU. These players passed the OSDA. They are jealous because these athletes are genetically superior than them. Lewis failed the drug test in 2009/10. He was an all star a couple of years ago.

[KenneBell]

Weren't the biggest boom in PED's from around the 80's - earlier 2000's in most other sports? Before testing finally started getting as serious as possible.

Dont give those NBA players during that era a pass, and try to put it all on todays NBA players.
You mean the great Michael Jordan could've taken PEDs? IMPOSSIBLE!!! :roll:

[Lebron23]

You mean the great Michael Jordan could've taken PEDs? IMPOSSIBLE!!! :roll:

:oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

[bmulls]

This isn't a question in response to any one post in particular, or to defend any player(s), but what's the big issue with HGH use? I don't think players NBA are using per se (look at the injuries this past season), but why is it banned (or have whatever status it does)?

From my understanding (which admittedly might by incomplete), it's used primarily in injury recovery and not to augment a guy in any way. If you're going to argue it's unfair since there's probably some time to heal involved and not everyone has the time to do so that's fine, but why shouldn't a player be able to take part in HGH treatment during the offseason if he has a massive injury (what are the health risks/why is such use banned? again I'm not very knowledgeable on this matter, just speaking from my current understanding)?

I don't think it's really a safety issue. You can get Testosterone or HGH prescribed to you by a doctor nowadays fairly easily. I'm sure everybody here has seen the commercials for "Is it low T?".

The biggest issues I see are #1 it's very taboo. We are still in the "reefer madness" era of PEDs. Most people can't differentiate between different types of drugs and automatically assume everything is going to turn you into a hulked out raging monster. The truth is very, very far from that, but it will be a long time before the media and public knowledge catches up.

And #2, and I think most importantly, is that allowing PEDs in the NBA doesn't just affect professional adults. Everything NBA players do trickles down into middle school, high school and college level players. If PED use were to become wide spread I think there'd be serious ethical and health issues. While using a lot of these drugs as an adult under doctor supervision could be totally safe, HGH or anabolic steroids are never going to be safe for a growing teenager. They can totally wreck their endocrine systems FOR LIFE if used improperly (or even sometimes if used properly...).

Then you've got to consider how expensive some of that shit is. In the bodybuilding world having the money to pin HGH every day is widely considered one of the barriers to entry for up and coming amateurs. We're talking thousands of $$$ a year. It would be very shitty if having rich parents meant you made it to the NBA over other naturally more talented kids who didn't have access to the same resources.

Further you'd have to find a group of doctors who would actually come to a consensus about this stuff. Testosterone replacement therapy and HGH treatments are still very much in their infancies. The cutoff ranges for low T and the prescribed doses can vary wildly from doctor to doctor. It will be a while before things become standardized.

And @ the people asking what other PEDs they would use besides steroids, go back and read my 1st post in this thread. AFAIK peptides are the new "it" thing in the PED world. You can get peptides that mimic HGH, peptides that prompt your body to produce excess HGH, all kinds of crazy stuff. There's also nootropics which I know very little about but are worth googling for 5 minutes.

[Chalkmaze]

Wait a second. Please tell me why they "are not necessary in the NBA?" What about the pounding of an 82 game schedule could PED's not help. You do realize that their primary use is for recovery not for bulking up don't you? Get a grip homie.

Because those players didn't need them, and were great NBA players.

[chocolatethunder]

Because those players didn't need them, and were great NBA players.
Of course not. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were already two of the best players in baseball when they started taking them. As was Jose Canseco. But hey, they didn't need them. Open your eyes. PED abuse is huge in all sports even golf. Yes for sure Tiger Woods is dirty. He is linked to a dirty doctor. But hey he doesn't need them, I mean he's the best in the world.

[Chalkmaze]

Of course not. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were already two of the best players in baseball when they started taking them. As was Jose Canseco. But hey, they didn't need them. Open your eyes. PED abuse is huge in all sports even golf. Yes for sure Tiger Woods is dirty. He is linked to a dirty doctor. But hey he doesn't need them, I mean he's the best in the world.

Right, and Jeff Hornacek was PEDing like a MOFO because he couldn't have done it otherwise.:rolleyes:

[chocolatethunder]

Right, and Jeff Hornacek was PEDing like a MOFO because he couldn't have done it otherwise.:rolleyes:
I'm not talking about Jeff Hornacek and for the majority of his career PED's weren't prevalent in the NBA. Guys could have done well otherwise for sure. The problem is that many of the people against whom they are competing are using PEDs. Look at Clemens. He's ONE OF THE BEST PITCHERS EVER IN BASEBALL and Bonds is ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS EVER IN BASEBALL. Both however, were on PEDs. What makes you think that the NBA is any different? Who do you know in the NBA? Or MLB or the NFL? Who do you know who plays basketball overseas professionally? Because I know people who have and still play professionally. So that's where my info comes from. Yours on the other hand is pure fantasy. I'm not saying it's right or wrong or the whole league is doped but I am saying that it's real and it's a problem. If you can't see that then you just don't want to see it.

[jimmy77x]

There is NO DOUBT in my mind that a ton of guys are on HGH supplementation. Especially the elite guys like Kobe, Wade.. Le**** etc.

fixed

[FindingTim]

I think PED's are rampant in the NBA, and probably have been for a while. I wouldn't be shocked at all if physical freaks like Karl Malone were on something. or prime Corey Maggette? jesus. (that's not to say PED users are always bulging with muscle; it's also about endurance and recovery)

currently, I doubt anabolic steroids are a big thing, but I'd bet HGH, synthetic testosterone, and other "new" drugs like bmulls mentioned are common.

It's unfair to accuse players without real evidence (but I'm going to anyway) and if I were a betting man I'd put my money on pre-2011 Dwight Howard and Dwyane Wade (http://www.lightlybraisedturnip.com/wades-jaw-size/). I remember one year Wade returned from a major injury, and he was shockingly explosive. it was really noticeable, as in "I want what he's having." And Dwight had those freakish shoulder bulges that looked totally artificially enhanced.

[NBASTATMAN]

There is NO DOUBT in my mind that a ton of guys are on HGH supplementation. Especially the elite guys like Kobe, Wade etc.


I would say at least 50 percent of the players are using that stuff

[guy]

Wade and Lebron must be on something. Your jaw just doesn't grow like that for no reason. I'm pretty sure that old business partner of Wade's that was trying to sue him a few years back even accused him of steroid use.

[bmd]

Why Kobe? Definitely see Wade doing it. Just look at his jaw.you think he's on PED's because of the shape of his jaw? :oldlol:

[Magic 32]

http://newyork.citypudding.com/files/2011/01/is-lebron-james-on-steroids-3.jpg?91b549

[bmd]

And Dwight had those freakish shoulder bulges that looked totally artificially enhanced.That is his body structure.

"Big shoulder muscles" aren't indicative of PED use.

[guy]

you think he's on PED's because of the shape of his jaw? :oldlol:

Facial structure changes are considered a side effect.

[Rubio2Gasol]

Good chance there is.

[jimmy77x]

Facial structure changes are considered a side effect.

http://nbcprobasketballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/88291814.jpg

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_li6kl0laLZ1qzexlx.jpg

[FindingTim]

That is his body structure.

"Big shoulder muscles" aren't indicative of PED use.

I realize that, but Dwight's muscles are grossly freakish. the human subconscious is good at spotting the "unnatural", like when you see a woman with a lip job.

[Euroleague]

They don't test really at all. That is according to the US House investigation.

[Euroleague]

Olympians undergo random year round testing, I believe. So i doubt use of steroids is THAT bad in the NBA.

Totally false.