A brilliant talent who sadly destroyed himself
People still talk about Len Bias and although the human tragedy is more important, naturally the focus is on basketball, because Bias was seen as right there with Michael Jordan as a great talent. It’s amazing they were both in the ACC at the same time.
He had some incredible games in college, notably a 41 point outburst at Duke and the game in Chapel Hill where he scored twice in about five seconds.
But there were a lot of games that are mostly sort of forgotten, including his last one, Maryland’s 1986 NCAA tournament game vs. UNLV.
Bias scored 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. It wasn’t enough though as Maryland bowed out to Jerry Tarkanian’s Runnin’ Rebels, 70-64.
For Bias though, the future was bright. Maryland fell out of the tournament in March and he knew that in June, he would be drafted no lower than second or third in the NBA Draft. Red Auerbach had his eye on him and was ready to slide him into Boston’s rotation as Larry Bird’s understudy and eventual successor. Just imagine the Celtics in the late 1980’s as Bird’s body was failing him but Bias was ready to pick up the torch.
Sadly it never happened as Bias decided to celebrate on Draft Night with a pile of cocaine. That decision cost him his life.
Watching the video now is still incredible...and still heartbreaking.
