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06-19-2006, 03:04 PM
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#1 |
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Age: 42
Posts: 8,029
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Len Bias - 20 years later
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...061801017.html
So I've been reading a bunch of Len Bias related articles in the Washington Post and ESPN.com Page 2 and I find it all very interesting. It's been 20 years since he died of a cocaine overdose just two days after being picked 2nd overall by the defending champion Celtics in the NBA draft, which means I was only 3 or 4 so I obviously don't remember it. My dad graduated from UMD in 1980 and has lead me to become a very big Terps fan, but I think Bias' story is one that is worth knowing for everyone because of the important lessons that can come from it. Many of the sports writers I have been reading are discussing what kind of impact Bias' death has had on sports and society as a whole. In the past I've heard that his death was influencial in the "War On Drugs," which was started by Reagan in the mid-80's. I find it interesting that this discussion is being brought up again now because of the current steriod debate in baseball and the whole Big Ben/motorcycle incident last week. I don't really know where I'm going with this thread, I just think it's all really tragic but interesting and worth reading up on.
__________________
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." The Dude |
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06-19-2006, 03:13 PM
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#2 |
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\m/
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NY
Age: 52
Posts: 99,472
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Re: Len Bias - 20 years later
One can only imagine where he would have taken the Celtics.
 Tragic story indeed. |
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06-19-2006, 03:36 PM
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#3 |
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MVP
Join Date: May 2005
Location: washington, D.C.
Posts: 11,460
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Re: Len Bias - 20 years later
This story is a very personal one for me. I actually knew Len Bias. I grew up in the District and in my neighborhood it was always tough for the "little guys" to get on the courts to play ball or generally when you did you would be playing with guys who were so much better and bigger than you. The talent level at the playgrounds was just amazing! Anyway, me and another kid who lived on my street figured we would hike it out to Cole Field House (the old arena) to play hoops and get our game together without the inner-city pressure, if you will. It was about 15-20 munutes away from my area and his dad would drive us up there with no problem. In the process of us just shooting around in the gym, when the courts were open to the public, the Terps would take the courts to practice. We would sit in the stands for some of the practice until Lefty kicked people out. Afterward we would sneak back in and hang out to just get a glimpse of "the college athletes". As time went on we got to know some of the players and vice-versa. Of all the players we bonded with the most, Lenny took me and my boy under his wing for some reason. Herman Veal, Adrian Branch, and Keith Gatlin were really cool with us too. But Lenny was like a big brother to us! It's so wild I can't even believe, in hindsight, that I actually knew him so well. But of all the people I've had the pleasure of knowing and being around he was by far one of the most incredible people that I can remember. Very genuine and gregarious is what I remember the most.
I still remember the very place I was sitting, the way the phone rang, and who told me and how I was in utter disbelief for hours when I learned of his death. It was inconcievable! Many in this area were making comparisons to him and Jordan at that time. Both were ACC products and had great careers. What a shame and a tradjedy. I think today's athlete is a different animal from the one back then. But sadly enough drugs are still very much a part of our culture. I think it's hard to say how much we've learned since then. |
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06-19-2006, 03:40 PM
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#4 |
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MVP
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: lancaster,pa
Age: 63
Posts: 10,672
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Re: Len Bias - 20 years later
im not sure why this is a tragedy? len bias was second to none as a college bball player but he willingly used cocaine and ended paying for it with his life. the real tragedy is his mom having to cope with his death knowing that it was totally out of her control. im kind of old school, drugs are for losers
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"It's better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt." courtesy of 53fan |
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06-19-2006, 03:43 PM
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#5 | |
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MVP
Join Date: May 2005
Location: washington, D.C.
Posts: 11,460
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Re: Len Bias - 20 years later
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06-19-2006, 03:44 PM
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#6 |
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Age: 42
Posts: 8,029
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Re: Len Bias - 20 years later
That's pretty amazing 12th. My nextdoor neighbor was at UMD during Lenny's time and had the pleasure of seeing him play frequently. He was just telling me that it was really an unbelievable sight to see. He told me that Bias looked like a man amongst boys, like LeBron before he went pro excpet instead of high school kids he was dominating the ACC. It really is one of the saddest events in sports and I just wish it was more widely talked about because of the impact it could have.
Every high school and college athelete needs to know this story, and I hate to use story because I feel like is disconnects the whole thing from reality, but I can't think of anything else.
__________________
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." The Dude |
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06-19-2006, 03:49 PM
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#7 | |
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Age: 42
Posts: 8,029
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Re: Len Bias - 20 years later
Quote:
By most accounts it seems like Bias only used cocaine once because he had taken multiple drug tests during school and prior to the draft. That goes to show people how dangerous they can be. He also probably took way more than a 'normal' person would, because he was cocky and full of himself. that reminds me of Rothelisburger (sp?) talking about why he doesn't wear a helmet.
__________________
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." The Dude |
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06-19-2006, 03:53 PM
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#8 | |
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MVP
Join Date: May 2005
Location: washington, D.C.
Posts: 11,460
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Re: Len Bias - 20 years later
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06-19-2006, 04:29 PM
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#9 | |
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MVP
Join Date: May 2005
Location: washington, D.C.
Posts: 11,460
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Re: Len Bias - 20 years later
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06-19-2006, 06:06 PM
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#10 |
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Pro Bowl
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Age: 36
Posts: 5,688
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Re: Len Bias - 20 years later
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