Len Bias' Death

[SilkkTheShocker]

Why do people think this man would have still been the next best thing even if he didnt die that night? Do people overlook the fact he was a cocaine user? I h e never done the drug before, but it seems hard I believe be would have lived up to the "next Jordan" label as a cokehead.

[Clippersfan86]

Cocaine is a hell of a drug :biggums:

[guy]

Why do people think this man would have still been the next best thing even if he didnt die that night? Do people overlook the fact he was a cocaine user? I h e never done the drug before, but it seems hard I believe be would have lived up to the "next Jordan" label as a cokehead.

Well, for all we know, Jordan could've been a huge cokehead. I don't think he was, but I guarantee there's been some hugely successful athlete that regularly experimented with cocaine that we just don't know about.

[Xiao Yao You]

Why do people think this man would have still been the next best thing even if he didnt die that night? Do people overlook the fact he was a cocaine user? I h e never done the drug before, but it seems hard I believe be would have lived up to the "next Jordan" label as a cokehead.

Not sure if it was ever confirmed that he was a cokehead? He partied one night and lost. John Drew was putting up almost a point a game for the Jazz on coke. Tarpley was playing great on coke too. John Lucas made it back from his coke playing days with success.

[madmax17]

Actually most players consumed cocaine and other drugs in the 70's, they didn't think it was that dangerous, that you can die from it, until it happened to Bias.

[Xiao Yao You]

That was crack coke though I believe. A new era begun.

[steve]

Not sure if it was ever confirmed that he was a cokehead? He partied one night and lost. John Drew was putting up almost a point a game for the Jazz on coke. Tarpley was playing great on coke too. John Lucas made it back from his coke playing days with success.

It's been pretty widely rumored Gervin used coke on a regular basis.

Is it possible cocaine could've derailed Bias' career? It's likely. The thing is we don't know the history behind his drug habits (if they even existed). All we can comment on his talent and potential, which is clearly there, and how wasted that was.

John Drew was an insanely talented player by the way. Has anyone ever looked at the rate he got to the line? The only person who got to the line more than him over their career was Shaq (another interesting thing, Corey Maggette is 9th).

[guy]

Football's different, but wasn't Michael Irvin a huge cokehead?

[SourPatchKids]

It's been pretty widely rumored Gervin used coke on a regular basis.

Is it possible cocaine could've derailed Bias' career? It's likely. The thing is we don't know the history behind his drug habits (if they even existed). All we can comment on his talent and potential, which is clearly there, and how wasted that was.

John Drew was an insanely talented player by the way. Has anyone ever looked at the rate he got to the line? The only person who got to the line more than him over their career was Shaq (another interesting thing, Corey Maggette is 9th).
http://www.gifflix.com/files/f97d033e87ca.gif

[SilkkTheShocker]

Football's different, but wasn't Michael Irvin a huge cokehead?
Norm Macdonald made a joke at the ESPYs one year that the 90s Cowboys were built on strippers and coke.

[ProfessorMurder]

Why do people think this man would have still been the next best thing even if he didnt die that night? Do people overlook the fact he was a cocaine user? I h e never done the drug before, but it seems hard I believe be would have lived up to the "next Jordan" label as a cokehead.

Snorting coke once =/= drug addict

His heart just happened to explode the first time.

[Pushxx]

As the Hodgetwins would say, dude's heart just exploded in his chest when he tried it.

[NYK_Stan]

http://bucksdiary.blogspot.com/2006/06/len-bias-patron-saint-of-coke-fiends.html

Not sure how reliable the source is but check this:

Why do we treat Bias in such reverent terms when other cokers and reckless jocks get no mercy? To answer that you have to remember the news coming out of Maryland after his death. The attitude toward Bias was shaped not only by the Bias worshipers in the Boston and Washington media, but also from two lies irresponsibly disseminated by the press in the days and weeks following his death.

The first was that Bias was not a drug user, that somehow this was his first time using cocaine. This was a steaming pantload. Besides the fact that the US Justice Department has called deaths such as Bias' "exceedingly rare" among first time users, the evidence established in a Maryland courtroom totally destroys the myth of 'First Time' Lenny ("Oh, gee, is that white pile over there cocaine? Think I could try a gram or five?").

The first piece of debunking evidence, established in the trial of the man who supplied the cocaine (a subsequently convicted major coke dealer named Brian Lee Tribble), was that, as mentioned above, Bias ingested a very large amount (3 to 5 grams) of cocaine. I spoke with some medical professionals I know and they unflinchingly confirmed what any fool should suspect: a guy simply cannot inhale a mountain of cocaine unless he has built up a tolerance over time and through chronic use. There is no question, then, based on the amount ingested on that night by Bias, that he was a world class blowmeister. (Indeed, when Tribble told Bias to slow down because he was snorting too much Bias laughingly replied "I'm a bad mother****er! I can handle anything!" The words of a one time user?) Another debunking fact established in the Tribble trial was that Tribble was a "longtime friend" of Bias (indeed, it was he and Bias together who brought the coke over and woke up the others involved and invited them to partake ). How many people do you know that are simultaneously (a) friends with a major coke dealer and (b) not riding the train? I'll answer that for you: Zero!

Bolded parts for those who dont wanna read the whole thing

[wang4three]

While I never watched Bias play and what have you, I presume it's absurd to say that he would've been as great as Jordan or as successful. There's a difference between having the potential to be great and actually being great and we should distance the two as far as possible. If Vince Carter was met with an unfortunate accident in 2000, people would create the hype that he would've been better than Jordan given his skill and talent level.. Well, that didn't happen. He played 12 more seasons and we see that he never got close to Jordan.

[get these NETS]

from what I got watching the 30 for 30 doc.

Bias got a hot shot........

coke was laced with something or cut with something out of the ordinary...done on purpose to kill a drug user

if you watch the wire........there are 2 incidents of people delivering hot shots to drug users............and it resulted in deaths both times

[Pushxx]

If you think someone wouldn't say "I'm a bad mother****er! I can handle anything!" whether it's their first time or not, you are naive.

[get these NETS]

in terms of Bias' development.no one will ever know

can't gauge how hard he would have worked to improve....or how he would have adjusted to pro style or playing behind Bird and McHale

plenty of can't miss all americans never turned out to be great pros...look at christian laettner, danny ferry, marc macon, sherman douglas..

[SilkkTheShocker]

I just never bought the idea that it was Bias' first time doing coke. The guy was just drafted and had signed a 3 million dollar deal with Reebok. You can't be too bright if you are doing coke shortly afterwards. I doubt just how long he could have last in the NBA.

[AAckley1]

Coke robbed us of a career that would have been substantially greater than Bias'. David Thompson would have put up Jordan-esque numbers for his career if it wasn't for the nose candy.

[nycelt84]

While I never watched Bias play and what have you, I presume it's absurd to say that he would've been as great as Jordan or as successful. There's a difference between having the potential to be great and actually being great and we should distance the two as far as possible. If Vince Carter was met with an unfortunate accident in 2000, people would create the hype that he would've been better than Jordan given his skill and talent level.. Well, that didn't happen. He played 12 more seasons and we see that he never got close to Jordan.

If Vince Carter was set to come on an NBA team with Bird, McHale, Parish, DJ, and Walton he would be a Hall of Famer without a doubt.

[guy]

I just never bought the idea that it was Bias' first time doing coke. The guy was just drafted and had signed a 3 million dollar deal with Reebok. You can't be too bright if you are doing coke shortly afterwards. I doubt just how long he could have last in the NBA.

I doubt it too. Coke wasn't thought of as that serious back then, but people still knew it was a harmful drug. If he wasn't doing it before, why would he be comfortable starting it after getting drafted and signing a multimillion dollar contract? Makes absolutely no sense.

[ralph_i_el]

from what I got watching the 30 for 30 doc.

Bias got a hot shot........

coke was laced with something or cut with something out of the ordinary...done on purpose to kill a drug user

if you watch the wire........there are 2 incidents of people delivering hot shots to drug users............and it resulted in deaths both times


great evidence :applause:

[StateOfMind12]

Doesn't Dwyane Wade supposedly do coke?

:oldlol:


Wade has fired off a lawsuit against a guy who goes by the name Baron Richard von Houtman -- a guy who allegedly told Wade's basketball coach that Wade had used cocaine and steroids. Now he's suing Baron for slander and libel.

I don't know why people feel sorry for Len Bias. He died from doing coke. It's not like he died from a car accident or an airplane accident. He died because of his own choice not because of bad luck.

[SilkkTheShocker]

Doesn't Dwyane Wade supposedly do coke?

:oldlol:



I don't know why people feel sorry for Len Bias. He died from doing coke. It's not like he died from a car accident or an airplane accident. He died because of his own choice not because of bad luck.


Agreed. Its sad he passed away. But its far from tragic.

[get these NETS]

great evidence :applause:



excellent....

if you watched the doc. you would arrive at the same conclusion, just explaining what a hotshot is in culturally relevant terms.

good attempt at trying to clown...but watch the doc. 30 for 30 series...they interviewed his teammates and at least one person who was in the SAME room as Bias the night he died.

one of his teammates sounds just like the rza

[Raz]

if you watched the doc. you would arrive at the same conclusion, just explaining what a hotshot is in culturally relevant terms.

good attempt at trying to clown...but watch the doc. 30 for 30 series...they interviewed his teammates and at least one person who was in the SAME room as Bias the night he died.


Without Bias is an excellent documentary - if people can't find it on the net, I have no problem sharing my copy.

There is no telling how good Len Bias would have been, but I would assume that if he had been revived there is no way he would have touched coke again. Although he never was able to fulfill his legacy as a basketball player, he did help a whole lot of people realize just how dangerous coke is - people were shocked all over the US, and I think his death helped others realize how stupid the drug is and that no one is invincible.

Personally, I think Bias was going to be great. Even if he only made a couple of all-star games at best, he would have eased the load on Bird and McHale.

I really think we would have been looking at a 25 ppg, 7-8 rpg career.

[Cali Syndicate]

Lawrence Taylor.

[K.Koscik]

I think jordan wouldn't of had 63

[Math2]

Why do people think this man would have still been the next best thing even if he didnt die that night? Do people overlook the fact he was a cocaine user? I h e never done the drug before, but it seems hard I believe be would have lived up to the "next Jordan" label as a cokehead.

Wait, wait! Let's think this through. Does one time cocaine use make you a cokehead? Research before you post.

Also, can you please explain what "I h e never done the drug...." means?

[SilkkTheShocker]

Wait, wait! Let's think this through. Does one time cocaine use make you a cokehead? Research before you post.

Also, can you please explain what "I h e never done the drug...." means?
It was a typo. Was posting From my phone earlier. And I said I don't believe that was his first time doing coke, f.aggot.

[SilkkTheShocker]

Lawrence Taylor.
Last time I checked LT played in the NFL.

[Cali Syndicate]

Last time I checked LT played in the NFL.

Does it really matter? LT was a professional athlete who excelled at his sport as one of the best LB of all-time and even revolutionizing his position all while being a heavy coke user practically his entire career.

Not saying Len Bias would have seen similar results in the NBA had he been a "coke-head" throughout his career, but what I do know is he was already considered a great basketball player who was NBA ready to compete at an elite level. Who knows what he could have done.

And by "next Jordan," I don't think you understand that they would have been rivals throughout their careers, not a predecessor to one or the other but I don't think that's what you meant. What I do think you meant was that if he was labeled a "coke-head," then could he have been what MJ became? In which case, perhaps as an overall player, probably not in terms of impact to the globalization of the game and if labeled a "coke-head,"he wouldn't have seen nowhere near the marketing success MJ saw.

[AAckley1]

No first time user of cocaine would ever do 3+ grams of the stuff the first time they tried it. No first time user of cocaine could easily access fishscale, regardless if his best friend is a drug dealer or not. Tribble's relationship with Bias shows that they would have to had been involved in drugs for a significant period of time, simply because of the difficulty of acquiring 90% or greater purity cocaine. So it's obvious that it's impossible that either Bias got a "hotshot" or was a first time user, he had been doing cocaine for a good amount of time.

Would Bias have stopped once he got to the NBA? Who knows? Anything is purely conjecture simply because he wasnt comparable to any player at the time. From the game films I've seen, he had near LeBron athleticism with a game similar to late Karl Malone. His jumper had good form with excellent elevation. He was also a ~80% FT shooter. His athleticism allowed him to be great defender at the college level, and an explosive finisher at the rim. He had all the physical tools to be Jordan's biggest challenger, but we'll never know if he had the mentality.

[bizil]

I think Bias would have been one of those scoring machine SF's in the mold of Doc, Nique, Bernard King, English, Aguirre, Dantley, etc. Average to very good all around players who were alpha dog scoring machines. Not really the great all around SF who was also an alpha dog like Larry. But on Boston it would have been interesting to see where Bias would have fit it. Would Bias have come off the bench as a sixth man? Or would he have started at the SF while Bird started at PF thus putting McHale on the bench? What if they tried to experiment and start Bias as a SG and bring Ainge off the bench? I do envision Bias playing SG, SF, and PF for those Boston teams in different lineups. But his best position in my mind was at the SF. But when u have the greatest SF of all time ahead of u, it makes for a very intersting situation!

In terms of rivalry, I think eventually that Bias's rivals would have been guys like Nique and James Worthy. Once Doc slowed down, Nique and Worthy took the mantle as the premier freak athlete great scoring SF's. Bias had the physical tools to be in that class.

[Mr. Incredible]

Snorting coke once =/= drug addict

His heart just happened to explode the first time.Take it for what it's worth but a buddy of mine whose Mom went to Maryland said that was definitely not the first time Bias tried cocaine.

[L.Kizzle]

Snorting coke once =/= drug addict

His heart just happened to explode the first time.
Pretty sure it was just a bad batch,

Mothafukkas smoke/snort crack they whole life and don't die.

[SpecialQue]

Without Bias is an excellent documentary - if people can't find it on the net, I have no problem sharing my copy.

There is no telling how good Len Bias would have been, but I would assume that if he had been revived there is no way he would have touched coke again. Although he never was able to fulfill his legacy as a basketball player, he did help a whole lot of people realize just how dangerous coke is - people were shocked all over the US, and I think his death helped others realize how stupid the drug is and that no one is invincible.

Personally, I think Bias was going to be great. Even if he only made a couple of all-star games at best, he would have eased the load on Bird and McHale.

I really think we would have been looking at a 25 ppg, 7-8 rpg career.

Without Bias was one of the weaker 30 for 30 docs, in my opinion. It was really padded, and his mom was completely unlikeable. She came across as an emotionless bitch who cared more about herself than her son.

[FireDavidKahn]

Wow some coke head OD'd on coke?:rolleyes:

I REALLY feel sorry for this guy.:rolleyes:

[b1imtf]

Wow some coke head OD'd on coke?:rolleyes:

I REALLY feel sorry for this guy.:rolleyes:
Still better than most Minny picks

[SilkkTheShocker]

Wow some coke head OD'd on coke?:rolleyes:

I REALLY feel sorry for this guy.:rolleyes:
:oldlol:

[blacknapalm]

aren't draft picks subject to drug testing at the combine or by certain teams? did they do that back then? chronic coke users can have it in their urine for up to a week or so

[SilkkTheShocker]

Take it for what it's worth but a buddy of mine whose Mom went to Maryland said that was definitely not the first time Bias tried cocaine.
Interesting. Thanks for the input man, bro. :cheers:

[LAClipsFan33]

The talking heads were split on who was the better college player...Bias or Jordan.

He was that good.

[SilkkTheShocker]

The talking heads were split on who was the better college player...Bias or Jordan.

He was that good.
So good he was the 2nd pick of the draft? Was Daugherty supposed to be the next Olajuwon?

[LAClipsFan33]

So good he was the 2nd pick of the draft? Was Daugherty supposed to be the next Olajuwon?

Michael Jordan...picked 3rd

[SilkkTheShocker]

Michael Jordan...picked 3rd
Jordan was already a huge star and marketing god by 86. If Bias was projected to be at that level than he should have been the unanimous 1st pick?

[LAClipsFan33]

Jordan was already a huge star and marketing god by 86. If Bias was projected to be at that level than he should have been the unanimous 1st pick?

I was talking about when they were both in the same conference IN COLLEGE...Together

[StateOfMind12]

I find it funny that if Bias wasn't a college star or a high lottery pick hardly anyone would care that he died. If he was an undrafted, 2nd round pick, or even a mid-1st round pick player nobody would care about his death and people would probably blame him for making a stupid choice in doing coke instead.

Since Bias was a college star though, everyone feels sorry for him and everyone else is responsible for Bias' death except for Bias himself.

[LAClipsFan33]

I find it funny that if Bias wasn't a college star or a high lottery pick hardly anyone would care that he died. If he was an undrafted, 2nd round pick, or even a mid-1st round pick player nobody would care about his death and people would probably blame him for making a stupid choice in doing coke instead.

Since Bias was a college star though, everyone feels sorry for him and everyone else is responsible for Bias' death except for Bias himself.

I agree with this. Very true.

The media loves stars. If he wasn't a star his story would be about hate not love. They'd say it was unfortunate, but he was an idiot.

Since he's a star they almost blame the cocaine

[PistolPete44]

They almost blamed the cocaine


so true...

[Xiao Yao You]

So good he was the 2nd pick of the draft? Was Daugherty supposed to be the next Olajuwon?

No but as we've seen as recently as Oden a big man is favored. Daugherty was one of the best passing big men ever. Personally I had him up there with Ewing when he played a tier below Hakeem and Robinson. He was a player.

[SilkkTheShocker]

No but as we've seen as recently as Oden a big man is favored. Daugherty was one of the best passing big men ever. Personally I had him up there with Ewing when he played a tier below Hakeem and Robinson. He was a player.


Thanks for the input, Xiao.

[DStebb716]

Basically you can look at this thread one of two ways:

1. Bias was a cokehead for a while, meaning that he was one of the best college basketball players of that era while on coke... thus proving that he/an athlete can have success on coke.

2. Bias was a first time coke user on that fateful night, meaning that he indeed was not a cokehead and would have no influences holding him down in his career.


Either way, Bias was dominant on or off coke.

[DStebb716]

I find it funny that if Bias wasn't a college star or a high lottery pick hardly anyone would care that he died. If he was an undrafted, 2nd round pick, or even a mid-1st round pick player nobody would care about his death and people would probably blame him for making a stupid choice in doing coke instead.

Since Bias was a college star though, everyone feels sorry for him and everyone else is responsible for Bias' death except for Bias himself.

Chances are he wouldn't have had the same situation present itself if he were a 2nd rounder or undrafted.

1. Because they were celebrating his high draft status with a group of friends.

2. These guys that he was hanging out with him were just riding his high status. They could care less about the person. They wanted the fame along with him, and they were a bad group of people that gave him bad advice.

[TheBigVeto]

He wouldn't be as good as Jordan but at the very least he would be better than prime Kobe.

[EGarrett]

Why do people think this man would have still been the next best thing even if he didnt die that night? Do people overlook the fact he was a cocaine user? I h e never done the drug before, but it seems hard I believe be would have lived up to the "next Jordan" label as a cokehead.Bill Simmons loves to say that Bias would've prolonged Bird's career, until Bird himself told him that he would've actually retired earlier if Bias was there to take the spot.

Scary how he changed the history of the NBA just by waiting until after draft night to have his fun with drugs.

Oh, that being said, if you really think about it...a guy who would do that much cocaine right after being drafted, before he even had a contract, would've been a disappointment or bust even if he'd played. (and I apologize for the tone of this post, but druggies don't get much sympathy from me)

[TheBigVeto]

from what I got watching the 30 for 30 doc.

Bias got a hot shot........

coke was laced with something or cut with something out of the ordinary...done on purpose to kill a drug user

if you watch the wire........there are 2 incidents of people delivering hot shots to drug users............and it resulted in deaths both times

So Bias was murdered. I bet somebody from the Lakers organization did it.
We need an investigation.

[Champ]

Bill Simmons loves to say that Bias would've prolonged Bird's career, until Bird himself told him that he would've actually retired earlier if Bias was there to take the spot.

Scary how he changed the history of the NBA just by waiting until after draft night to have his fun with drugs.

Oh, that being said, if you really think about it...a guy who would do that much cocaine right after being drafted, before he even had a contract, would've been a disappointment or bust even if he'd played. (and I apologize for the tone of this post, but druggies don't get much sympathy from me)

Sadly, I think there's a lot of truth to your post.

Who knows how good Bias would've been? He certainly seemed scary coming out of college, and was arguably further along in his development than when Jordan was a senior at UNC.

As for the impact on the Celtics in general and Bird's career in particular, it's anyone's guess. I've always felt Bias showed the potential to propel the team toward another title or two before the Big 3 went to pasture, but unfortunately we'll never know.

Karma sort of caught up with the Celtics franchise with the deaths of Bias and Lewis, along with Bird's injuries. All of the fortune the franchise saw up until 1986 seemed to evaporate in a matter of 7 years.

[get these NETS]

So Bias was murdered. I bet somebody from the Lakers organization did it.
We need an investigation.

trivializing a man's death very classy

[Xiao Yao You]

Sadly, I think there's a lot of truth to your post.

Who knows how good Bias would've been? He certainly seemed scary coming out of college, and was arguably further along in his development than when Jordan was a senior at UNC.


MJ didn't play as a senior. He was college player of the year(2 times by Sporting News). One of the best rookies ever. Not sure Bias was at that level.

[guy]

I find it funny that if Bias wasn't a college star or a high lottery pick hardly anyone would care that he died. If he was an undrafted, 2nd round pick, or even a mid-1st round pick player nobody would care about his death and people would probably blame him for making a stupid choice in doing coke instead.

Since Bias was a college star though, everyone feels sorry for him and everyone else is responsible for Bias' death except for Bias himself.

Who the hell are you? Mother Teresa? Dude made a horrible mistake that cost him his life at a time when people were not as educated about how harmful those type of drugs were and at like 23 years old which is an age many people make mistakes. Its incredibly inhumane to not feel sorry for him regardless of it being his fault or not. Its not like he was a cold-blooded murderer and got killed in a shoot-out. Some people should really not be allowed to use the internet.

[Champ]

MJ didn't play as a senior. He was college player of the year(2 times by Sporting News). One of the best rookies ever. Not sure Bias was at that level.

Yes, my bad on Jordan.

IIRC, Jordan got POY in '84 and Bias was runner up in '86.

[Xiao Yao You]

Who the hell are you? Mother Teresa? Dude made a horrible mistake that cost him his life at a time when people were not as educated about how harmful those type of drugs were and at like 23 years old which is an age many people make mistakes. Its incredibly inhumane to not feel sorry for him regardless of it being his fault or not. Its not like he was a cold-blooded murderer and got killed in a shoot-out. Some people should really not be allowed to use the internet.

It's a result of American society where the War on Drugs has made drug users out to be criminals while legal drugs such as cigarettes and alcohol do most of the actual killing while not even being thought of as drugs.

[TheBigVeto]

trivializing a man's death very classy

It's not trivializing.
I am serious.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Why do people think this man would have still been the next best thing even if he didnt die that night? Do people overlook the fact he was a cocaine user? I h e never done the drug before, but it seems hard I believe be would have lived up to the "next Jordan" label as a cokehead.

Another thought-provoking post from one of ISH's esteemed posters.

Before making this post, did you try looking for information on how regularly Bias used the drug? How he often appeared to people who knew him? Was his behavior erratic? Did he seem healthy? Or did you even bother doing research on the drug? You've said that you've never used the drug, and your post seems to suggest that you're ignorant on it, so that's the least you could do.

There's a difference between using a drug once, a number of times or even every so often and being an addict(and I hate that term which forgets that everyone is still an individual who will be affected differently by drugs). An addict will rely on drugs daily, is there anything to suggest this was Len Bias?

We have no idea if Bias was addicted(well maybe some know one way or the other, but the OP doesn't), and even if he was, look at Chris Mullin. He went to a program for alcohol abuse and ended up having a great career.

And having sort of had experience with this particular drug and certainly the affects of it, I can say that cocaine in various forms affects your motor skills less than alcohol, which would be more similar to heroin if it's similar to any drug in terms of affects on balance and coordination.

Cocaine is a stimulant, so I can see athletes succeeding while using it, depending of course on how much and how often they use it, and how much it consumes their life.

And lets remember that this was in the 80's, the height of coke, many did it at parties, or on occasions and thought nothing of it. I'd be willing to bet money that there have been a number of successful athletes, especially from that era who used it.

When people talk about Bias, they often talk about his potential. Whether or not, he would have wasted it on drugs has nothing to do with how much potential he had as a basketball player. The same way someone like Greg Oden had all the potential in the world, but was derailed by injuries.

[Raz]

Before making this post, did you try looking for information on how regularly Bias used the drug? How he often appeared to people who knew him? Was his behavior erratic? Did he seem healthy? Or did you even bother doing research on the drug? You've said that you've never used the drug, and your post seems to suggest that you're ignorant on it, so that's the least you could do.

There's a difference between using a drug once, a number of times or even every so often and being an addict(and I hate that term which forgets that everyone is still an individual who will be affected differently by drugs). An addict will rely on drugs daily, is there anything to suggest this was Len Bias?

We have no idea if Bias was addicted(well maybe some know one way or the other, but the OP doesn't), and even if he was, look at Chris Mullin. He went to a program for alcohol abuse and ended up having a great career.


Great post :applause:

My friend, Michael at Celtic Nation, interviewed Red Auerbach before he passed away. Here's what Red had to say:


Celtic Nation: The death of Lenny Bias in 1986 changed the fortunes of the Celtics for years to come. Bias was tabbed to become the Next Great Celtic, the player who was going to take over for Larry Bird and continue the team’s string of excellence. Please tell me about Lenny Bias.

Red Auerbach: People don't realize how good he was, unless they saw him play. Bias was one of the early guys that was 6-foot-8 and could really run. I used to know him before it happened. Lefty (Driessel) was a good friend, still is.


CN: There is much speculation surrounding Bias’ death from cocaine intoxication – one camp believes that Bias had never used drugs before that fateful June night in 1986, while others aren’t so sure. From what I’ve read, Bias was clean. He just made a very bad decision, one that cost him his life.

RA: Bias was not a drug user. That's why he died – he didn't know how to use them. We tested him a week before the draft, and so did a lot of other teams. He passed three physicals from three different teams.


CN: A year after selecting Lenny Bias, the Celtics select Reggie Lewis from Northeastern University. Lewis was on the verge of superstardom in 1993 when he collapsed and died from a heart abnormality. Lewis’ death was tragic, and also one that had a far-reaching effect on the fortunes of the Boston Celtics. Can you comment on the loss of Lewis, and what this meant to the Celtics?

RA: The bad break of it all was that the league never gave us a chance to recover from Reggie Lewis. Forget about Bias – they never gave us a pick or anything to recover from that – but they could have given us cap money to use when we lost Reggie. Because his contract was guaranteed, the league made us carry his salary on our cap for three years. Three! Today, they changed that rule. They realized how shabbily they treated us. When you lose two All-Star players and get nothing back – just think about that. Go to New Jersey and take away Kidd and their next best player. Where the hell would they be?

[Raz]

http://www.celtic-nation.com/interviews/red_auerbach/red_auerbach_page11.htm

Link to Auerbach interview

[SHAQisGOAT]

Such a sad stupid story... Bias was a beast in college.