Looking Back: Len Bias

[GloveGuy]

One of the biggest what if's in basketball history.

Those who saw him play say he would've been the rival that Jordan never had. What Magic had been to Bird, Bias would have been to Jordan. Their duels would have been epic.

In watching tapes and clips of this guy, it's hard to disagree. The combination of size, athleticism, and a textbook jumpshot would have placed him up there with the greats.

Not to mention what he would have done for the Celtics as a franchise. Quite possibly, he could have lengthened the careers of Bird and McHale and lead that Celtics dynasty into the 1990s, possibly robbing the Bulls of a few championships.

What a tragedy. Here's some clips for you guys.

[J@3]

I get a bit sick of people who say he would've been an all time great. It's like 2Pac being the greatest rapper because he died. What if he had played one game, scored 2 points on 1/14 shooting then died? He looks good in the highlights, but I could make Andrew Bogut look like Hakeem Olajuwon in highlight clips. I've never been sold on Bias, waste of a pick but definitely a tragedy

[Fewrookies-From2kW/Love]

In tributes, only the best is said. But what do I know, I never heard of the guy. How did he died?

[Jugs]

He died from a cocaine overdose the night he was drafted

[Fewrookies-From2kW/Love]

He died from a cocaine overdose the night he was drafted

Oh, then I think I do heard of him. I remember my ROTC teacher telling me about this guy who got drafted into the NBA, but died before he got a chance to play from taking crack. I'm pretty sure thats him.

See what I mean? Why didn't they mention his taking crack in his tribute?

[Jugs]

Because it wasn't a highlight, it was a low light

[ShAuN]

Ive heard about him. He was supposed to be the next MJ but better I guess. The Celtics just came off that year from winning a Championship and traded and had the #2 pick. And Len Bias fell to #2. So the next night (or the same night) him and a bunch of his buddies had a cocaine party and he OD'ed just like Jugs said. Its definatley a tragedy. I know he was supposed to be unbelievable but I wasnt even alive back then so I have no clue. I guess he had like the OJ Mayo "hype". But yea its too bad.

[Andrew]

I don't know if he ever had a real "Next MJ" tag along the lines of a Grant Hill, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse etc since in 1986 MJ wasn't held in as high esteem as he would be later on in his career. At that point, he wasn't a benchmark of greatness as he would later become.

It's an interesting what-if but with all due respect to his memory I personally believe it to be hype to make the story seem more tragic. Fact is, it's a tragedy on its own. A shame he never got to play in the NBA but more importantly, tragic that his choices cut his life so short.

[Matthew]

I have to agree with Jae in the mind, but id never say what he said. Stories like this make the public stop and think "hey pro atheltes are still humans too", rather than some money grabbing monsters who are quicker, stronger and richer than the rest of us.

[Andrew]

That's very true. Like I said, the story is tragic enough on its own without wondering how great he would be in the NBA; more to the point it's a tale of a human being who made a bad choice and paid the ultimate price, passing on long before his time.

[Its_asdf]

I doubt a player that takes cocaine like that would've been that great of a player.

Those highlights were very impressive though.

[shadowgrin]

I doubt a player that takes cocaine like that would've been that great of a player.

Agree. For all we know maybe cocaine is the reason that made him a better player.

[benji]

http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?id=1216986

Kinda have to link to this on a Bias mention.

Why the hell was Bob Novak in that video...highlight of the clip for me.