How good was Len Bias?

[Mr. Incredible]

Rest in Peace.

[G.O.A.T]

We don't know, but he had the modern NBA body and game. He was one of those attack the basket above-the rim guys who never seemed to tire.

I have to think in the very least he's an all-star through his healthy prime years.

[Crown&Coke]

He had the body of a Jamal Mashburn, top tier athleticism and a fearless attack of the rim. And was generally known as a kid with a good head on his shoulders and willingness to work and learn.

Red Auerbach drafted this guy, that should tell you a lot. Had he been able to learn under some of the Celtics veterans, Im fairly confident dude was have been on everyones list of top players.

[iDunk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DGVlXxG2Pk

[bdreason]

It's always hard to tell how someone will transition to the NBA, but Len Bias was 6'8" with incredible athleticism and versatility. He was also considered by many to be the best player in NCAA Basketball, and was drafted 2nd overall, only behind Brad Daugherty. He was also drafted by a great franchise, the Boston Celtics, which certainly wouldn't hurt his potential.

[alwaysunny]

For those who saw Bias at Maryland, can you compare him to Dominique Wilkins? They seem to have pretty similar game based on what I saw.

[Harison]

Bird said, Len Bias could have been greater than he was, or even Jordan.

Too bad Bias didnt had brains for it, hence his early demise.

[G.O.A.T]

Bird said, Len Bias could have been greater than he was, or even Jordan.

Too bad Bias didnt had brains for it, hence his early demise.

It was his heart, not his brains.

[alwaysunny]

It was his heart, not his brains.

But it was his brains that told him to take the drugs.

[Bernie Nips]

LeBron James + better jumpshot - court vision/passing = Len Bias

Although under the tutelage of Bird...

Goddamn, coulda been anything.

[G.O.A.T]

But it was his brains that told him to take the drugs.

A high percentage of NBA players used much more cocaine much more frequently and survived, let alone the rest of society in 1986. Bias had a bad heart and didn't know it. Saying that choosing to take the drugs killed him is like saying someone who died a plane crash did because they choose to fly.

[Rameek]

He had the body of a Jamal Mashburn, top tier athleticism and a fearless attack of the rim. And was generally known as a kid with a good head on his shoulders and willingness to work and learn.

Red Auerbach drafted this guy, that should tell you a lot. Had he been able to learn under some of the Celtics veterans, Im fairly confident dude was have been on everyones list of top players.

[COLOR="Navy"]I dont think Len Bias was that big bro. Mashburn was a stout fella probably 250lbs.

Len was a freak of an athlete though and a headsy player. But at the time he played I wasnt a devout college basketball watcher.[/COLOR]

[e-LIMON-ators]

Len Bias was basically Lebron with a jumpshot, we don't know how clutch he was or how he would perform in the 4th quarter against the best sadly.

[Harison]

A high percentage of NBA players used much more cocaine much more frequently and survived, let alone the rest of society in 1986. Bias had a bad heart and didn't know it. Saying that choosing to take the drugs killed him is like saying someone who died a plane crash did because they choose to fly.

He took drugs (stupid) and overdose it (even more stupid), hence he didnt had brains to be anything, let alone to become one of the greatest players in NBA.

Saying "a lot of players did it" doesnt make it any better. You can just as well say "a lot of people drive DUI, so its not their stupidity which killed them". Guess what, it is.

[alwaysunny]

A high percentage of NBA players used much more cocaine much more frequently and survived, let alone the rest of society in 1986. Bias had a bad heart and didn't know it. Saying that choosing to take the drugs killed him is like saying someone who died a plane crash did because they choose to fly.

I respectfully disagree. Are you seriously comparing taking drugs to being in an airplane? There are people with bad heart but live long because they take care of their body. You're reacting as if he had no chance of living long regardless of how he took care of himself.

I'm not gonna say Bias was an idiot if he wasn't aware of his heart condition, but OD is an OD. He took the drugs knowing the consequences. He has nobody to blame but for himself.