Magic had Bird, Russell had Chamberlain. Michael Jordan's rival was supposed to be Len Bias. I saw his mom speak at Norfolk State University back in the day and she said the first flowers they got from a person of fame after he died was from Michael Jordan.
Reginald Leak They would have made each other even better! Which is kinda scary when you really think about it. Jordan had to use all kinds of trivial things (some imagined as well) to motivate himself because the game came so easily to him. Imagine if Bias was there as a permanent thorn in his side and vice versa!
cyber6sapien I think with a sound and matured Harold Miner, the generation would have been super lit. Mike would come up on top anyway most probably, cause of the proven mental strength edge.
cyber6sapien Umm, yes. Also, IMO could have been a resemblance of 3rd category hurricane that catches hot waters to become 5th category hurricane, being Len one of those hot waters, and if we add a matured, enhanced Harold Miner as more hot waters...... for Jordan to become greater.... wait, what did I just said!!!!??
RUclips finally has some solid, in-game highlights of Len Bias. I was getting tired of seeing re-used clips from that one ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, so I made my own video. I hope that you guys enjoy it! - Pocky -
Oh, and judging from the games that I watched, Len Bias wasn't a Jordan/LeBron/Kareem/Duncan-level prospect. He had a sweet jump shot and could jump for days, but he could barely dribble, had no passing skills to speak of, and was a suspect rebounder. At best, I could see Bias becoming a bigger version of Dominique Wilkins.
He was thought of as a Superstar level player Red Auerbach planned to draft him 2 years earlier, larry bird wanted to attend draft rookie practices with him, Jordan thought he was his rival
You're telling me that a player who could barely dribble, showed no passing skills whatsoever, and was an average defender and rebounder in college was going to be better than McGrady or Wilkins? He had great athleticism and a superb jump-shot, but the other skills just weren't there. He would've had to do a LOT of work to get to Wilkins' level.
DC had the major infamous notorious drug dealers in 80s Ray Edmond an so on. John Thompson saved Alonzo from hanging with drug dealers no one was around to save Len.
Yeah, I heard that, too. I was going to rewind, but you said what it was. Len bias was a couple of years younger than my friends and I, but being from DC, we couldn't wait for him to get to the NBA. I thought that folks were joking when they said that he had died. I had tears in my eyes and time moves on, but the pain never goes away. Then, a couple of years later his younger brother Jay was shot a killed. They were both sad events that everyone had to deal with in DC many years ago.
Having a shoe contract out of college really means zero to me, as a fan, it's really everything wrong with today's players. Jordan got the contracts based off of everything he did on the court, post college, I still own XIII's because he was that great. It's the greatest shoe design ever, but right out of college? No man, earn it first.
Jordan got his show deal out of college and because he was an Olympic gold !real winner too he out lived the hype most death but Bias was a2nd and all American too bad he getting high one of the biggest what it's would have won a ring by doe
@@charlesdjones1 so people being able to promote themselves as a brand and endorse products is wrong? Them being able to make money before during and after the league is wrong?
I was a 13-14 year old kid who just loved the Celtics and ACC Basketball being from NC and VA. When they drafted Bias I was just thrilled. That team could have possibly prolonged Birds career with Bias. And at minimum they would have played together for 6 years. Would have just dominated everyone else. The great WHAT-IF.
Reggie Lewis another great player that never got to maximize his potential. He was really a HoF caliber player the jump shot was unstoppable he would raise up so high on the release.
And it's amazing how many people forget or don't take into account the full impact Bias' untimely passing had on the Celtics' organization! There are also so many out there who are too young that missed out on him period! I vividly remember his days at Maryland, especially the three game clinic he put on the Tar Holes in '86! Cing him dissect them was a joy to watch! He had it all and I firmly believe he could have swung the '87 Finals in Boston's favor! He was a physical specimen in the literal sense and two time ACC Player of the Year! He would have been what Tim Duncan ended up becoming at the power forward position
@@bradlewis6514 that's real talk. With the Veterans they had in Boston to groom him along. Definitely would have been problem s for Chicago in the East and the Lakers in the West.
@@lilrock447 That's weird lol, I know he had a bad back but he could've played way less minutes with a young Bias carrying more of the load. It's so sad we will never know how great Bias could've been.
Bias had such a sweet shot. I watched him play his entire career at Maryland. I would argue, that he is the greatest baseline shooter, in the history of college basketball.
I was 11-14 age span while Bias was a Terp and vividly remember the three game clinic he put on the hated Tar Holes his senior season! It was poetry! He was the best power forward in the history of the ACC
James H Henderson They’d have complemented each other. Imagine the alley-oops set up by Bird for Lenny to jam home. The Celts lost at least one title and maybe more (when you consider McHale playing on a broken foot in the 87 playoffs, Bird and McHale playing themselves into the ground that year) due to Bias’s death. And we won’t even get into what Bias and Reggie Lewis could have done together.
The NBA is nothing but an entertainment and offensively driven sport that lacks the fundamentals for which the players of today now take for granted because they just do whatever they want! Rules no longer exist! And neither does the way the game grew
@@flytii its why I have the appreciation that I do for the era I grew up in (early '80s)! While I was in late grade school into jr high, Larry Bird was my idol - that's why I was devastated when Bias died because I wanted them together! I was 14 the summer Bias passed and I still miss him! He was a sight to behold at Maryland! Unguardable
@@flytii with the hatred I grew to have for Carolina, it makes what Bias did to them his senior season even sweeter! A three game clinic complete with all the fundamentals! The Tar Holes had no answer for him
@Try Not To Avoid what exaggeration? How good Bias was at the collegiate level or that the NBA has become an offensively driven, no defense league which ruined the fundamentals of the sport?
And all at the size and build he was! He had no peer then and I don't believe now either! Simply because he was D'd up every time out and still fully played his game! No defense today! LeBron has a similar muscular stature but he hasn't had to face any level of physical defense like Bias did in college or would have in that eras' NBA
@@carterbilbro4615 what's bullshit? How great Bias was no matter who defended him in college or that LeBron has played in the no-defense era of the NBA! Their both FACT, not bullshit!
Thanks for watching! That was the reason I made this video: to create a video that had in-game highlights and didn't just recycle clips from the 30 for 30 documentary.
I remember Bias as a Freshman. You could see then, he had that "something". When the Terps would play the big teams, Bias always showed up! One of my favorite sites is Len Bias rising up to take a smoothly stroked jumper. Bias was one of the few "true scorers" that when he wanted or felt the need to takeover a game....forget it! There was nothing anyone was going to do, including Jordan that could stop him. We were robbed of watching what I have no doubt would have been a Hall of Fame career. Len Bias will always be my favorite Terrapin. The morning we heard the news will stay with me forever.
Omg I remember it like it just happened yesterday! Was summer before my freshman year of HS! I was devastated! I started watching college basketball regularly when I was in fourth grade ('81-'82), the yr before Len attended Maryland so I remember his career there vividly! The three game clinic he put on the team I despise like no other - the Tar Holes his senior yr - is the one thing that has always stuck out to me! He accomplished alot, but to do that to a Dean Smith coached team three times in the same season trumps all! What he could and would have become I still enjoy thinking about today
I'm a huge Celts and Bias fan but although he had a good outside shot it wasn't like Durant, one of the top 5 shooters in NBA history. But yeah, with Bias, the Celtics win at least one more title in the Bird era and perhaps a couple more once it became Len's team. The whole thing still absolutely sickens me to this day. I LOVE the ESPN 30 for 30 Series but I can not and will not ever watch "Without Bias". Too depressing.
@@tombstone1111 I can't base his jump shot or compare it to Durant currently. Reason being Kevin has had YEARS of perfecting his jumper versus Bias who died very early in life! Yes KD has a beautiful game but athletic ability Bias blows him out the water & yes I agree with your commentary especially the documentaries it's way to sad....mmj
Roy Rezek I was in the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune and went up to Chapel Hill to see a girl and she ask me if I wanted to go to the game, greatest player I ever seen play sitting courtside
There was absolutely no one at that time his size who had that much game! The package he was at his build! Wow! In fact, I don't know of anyone now that size who is as quick as he was at his size! And doing it while being hounded defensively! Everybody always talks up LeBron, but LeBron has benefited from a punchless defensive NBA! He's never been D'd up like Bias was at Maryland or would have been in that eras' NBA
@@impassable Right on! It absolutely did and it gets unfairly neglected by the other power franchises of the day, most notably the Lakers and Pistons! There's never mention of the Celtics not having Bias
@@impassable I loved Magic and I loved the Bad Boys but I would tell anyone who'd be willing to listen that with Bias, the Celtics would have remained the class of the East and been able to give anyone a tussle
Thank you for this. As a former Maryland student when Len was there, we saw the most amazing basketball at Cole Field house and in epic games such as the "Dean Dome" game. It was most certainly the death of a dream.
Len Bias would have cocooned into a savage. Power dunks, sick posterizers, 20+ rebound games, super hand checking defense, triple doubles galore, inside post perfection, outside wet wet 🌊 Bulls vs Celtics conference finals every year 90's. RIP
@@RexT3rra It's safe to say he definitely would have had a good career. Very tragic situation. A very talented man who let drugs get the best of him right before he started playing. Huge huge news in sports, sad news.
Damn Len it still hurts to imagine what you would've brought to the NBA game playing next to the big 3 in Boston. It's even scarier to think what both you and Reggie Lewis could've done playing together. MJ and Scottie would've still got their fair share of rings but something 's telling me that they wouldn't have 6. Maybe 4 and definitely I see Lewis and Bias winning 2 at least. Dude your class been retired and the game still misses you. RIP
@@goodfella2400 all I gotta say is Mike was a junior while Len was a freshman and he was giving Mike and his team of future NBA stars the business. Mike had players in the 90's scared of him, Len wasn't scared of no one. And Reggie Lewis was another animal who moved his scoring average up every year just like Kawhi Leonard. Google it he blocked Jordan shot 4 times in the same game. I agree the Pistons don't have 2 , and the Lakers only have 4 but the Bulls, yes the Bulls Prolly only have 3 or 4 at the most. Len was that tough.
@Wali Ahmad you’re embellishing which is a normal human response. The reality is, adding Bias to a rebuilding ‘90s team would not have made them a contender. Further, Bias’ survival unfortunately would not have changed the fact the Lewis still would have died. Maybe MJ only gets 5 if with Bias the ‘91 Celtics finish the job. Google their first half record that year. But the reality is their window would have been closed after ‘91, even with Bias. And the rebuild would take years, as it did. Their best opportunity for chips with Bias would clearly have been ‘87 & ‘88.
@@goodfella2400 Goodfellas, those would-have- been '87 and '88 titles are more than what anyone even mentions today about the Celtics' having! Amazing how transparent some are when it comes to talking up their successes during that era in regards to what the Celtics would have been with Bias in that lineup! I remember that era very well (was starting HS when Bias unfortunately passed on)! What I meant is that the Lakers and Pistons always talk about how great they were, but they fail to mention having had to go thru the Celtics at a time when their franchise was reeling due to Bias' death! He most certainly would have altered the outcome in the East and against the Lakers had he been around! And he would have taken reign in Boston once Bird's body began to catch up to his aggressive style
When Len died I was so sadden and realized how terrible drugs can be to destroy a future legendary NBA player. I devoted my life at that point to clean living! Len’s misfortune was my wake up call to healthy living. God bless Len Bias!
I vividly remember when Len died, and whenever i see these highlights of him, there's only two words that come to mind: What if? I mean could you imagine what he could have contributed to the Celtics back in the 80's ,and with Bird, McHale how far they would have gone?
Nobody cares about your Celtics, we just wanted to see this guy hoop. Doesn’t matter what team he played for, just would’ve loved to see him play basketball & still be alive today.
College careers: Jordan [3 years] = 17.7 ppg (.540 fg%), 5.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.7 spg, 0.7 bpg Bias [4 years] = 16.4 ppg (.536 fg%), 5.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.7 bpg North Carolina Tar Heels vs Maryland Terrapins on January 12, 1984: Bias = 24 pts, 4 rebs Jordan = 21 pts, 12 rebs (7 off), 2 blks, at least 4 stls Highlights of the game was uploaded by starks23 (stats provided in the description), which ended with Jordan's iconic cradle dunk at the buzzer. Both men played each other four times overall. The first two in '83, Bias wasn't a starter yet. The last one was on February 19th the next year where Jordan scored 25 and Bias had 18.
I remember hearing of his death in my car coming back from a friends house in Conway like it was yesterday I was devastated I felt such a strong connection to Lenny
Nothing worse than wasted talent. I would've loved to know what he could've done in the NBA. My God, what ashame he died young. I loved bias. Me and my dad would always watch the terps. Miss you Len
Born and raised in Maryland & never seen a more complete basketball player! When he played college basketball there was absolutely no one better and I mean no one!
Frederick, he was the BEST POWER FORWARD in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference, BAR NONE! And he had absolutely no peer for a guy his size with that complete a skill set
My favorite Bias moment and I could reiterate it forever! I'm a die-hard Duke fan, but I respected no opposing player more than Len - so the three-game equal level exhibition he put on Dean Smith's Tar Holes as a senior in '85-'86 is to me his college masterpiece and at Carolina's expense making it that much sweeter! I was 14 then and remember it like it was yesterday! Oh and he beat us down in the 1984 ACC Final, so he gets a whole lot of credit from me for that also
Before I go, I wanna mention one other thing about Bias! Like I said I'm a lifer Duke fan (have been since the early '80s when they did actually suck and contrary to popular belief) and I love Johnny Dawkins! He was part of the recruitment that saved us! But Len Bias should have been the National Player of the Year in 1986! That Maryland team finished 20-14 along with the previously stated beautiful three game sweep of Carolina, and making the second round of the Dance (gave Vegas all they could handle) after having lost Coleman, Veal and Adrian Branch from the previous season! Bias made that team and the fact they got out of it what they did was remarkable! Showed his importance and regardless he still brought all-in Len every game! He was the best player in America his senior year
I often hear stories about how he was gonna for sure be an all time great. And after watching these highlights I believe it. His game was finesse with raw power athleticism. Man what a loss. And to think he was gonna be on the Celtics in the 80’s sheesh
Red Auerbach: "We drug tested him during his physical and he was clean prior to the incident. So I concluded that he just made a horrible mistake. Christ, he was one hell of a basketball player."
@@samuelhaynes5090 Samuel, what Len Bias did u witness! Obviously wasn't the same one most of us old enough to remember do! Jordan wasn't anywhere near Bias' size and there was no one else at that time who had the quickness and agility of a man with his physical stature
Brad Lewis Dominique Wilkins was bigger than jordan... was he better n Wilkins is definitely as good of an athlete as bias.. his vertical was higher n he was quicker.. Len was stronger..
Bruh...w/o handle he wasnt going to be that good😔😑 I knew i wasn't trippin nigga couldn't dribble for shit and he was supposed to be "Jordan rival".....fuck no 👎
Penny Hardaway, Billy Owens, Melo, Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill, Jamal Mashburn, Derrick Coleman Tracy McGrady. Definitely not many in his day but the game was more different and structured. Len was special because he played with heart and jumper was clutch. Made for the NBA game.
We'll never know but I steak claim and wager that if Bias didn't OD and played in the league, the course of Championships would have been altered for both MJ and Kobe! You might also throw Magic in the mix as well. Len Bias was a superior Athelete while at Maryland! How many players would you consider, before coming out of college, "Had No Flaws In their Game?" He was more than NBA ready and may have established records in the league that wouldn't have ever been broken. The sad part about his passing was that he wasn't out partying acting stupid or irresponsibly. Some might claim that he was acting irresponsible because of what the autopsy revealed was his cause of death, but coming from and being raised in the inner city, the action was one of a congratulatory nature, because of all his accomplishments and him moving on to the next stage of his life and career. That maybe hard for some to understand, but for those who had the city struggles in terms of trying to find a way out for you and your family, from my estimation that's what was also being celebrated. He certainly wasn't some addict or drug fiend! Unfortunately he just celebrated in the wrong way... To this day and moving forward, much love and well wishes to The Bias Family. Len Bias was also one of a kind and he would have certainly proved it if his life wasn't unfortunately cut so short...
Very underrated comment, you said ti all. He would be the GOAT of all GOATS, period. Many people can say whatever they want, but Len was by far superior than anybody else at that time, there is no doubt.
@@golgytv he absolutely was! The skill set he developed at Maryland made him the best to ever play his position in the history of the ACC by the end of his time there! I still vividly remember his career at Maryland (late grade school into junior high) and more than remember the day he passed (6/19/86) right before my freshman year in HS! Larry Bird was my idol growing up and I was so disheartened Bias never got to team up with him! It set the Celtics back several years and I believe made them more playoff vulnerable and aged them collectively trying to move on from his death
he was ACC player of the year in 85 and in 86. There is a chance he could have become the best NBA player ever. He was basically Dominique with a much better shot and an extra inch
@Matt Beeman and that's because scoring is all Maravich could do consistently! Bias had a complete skill set, while Maravich's was overall, average at best! He lacked rebounding, he lacked defense and he lacked leadership! And his teams equalled what his overall skill set was - AVERAGE!
I was born and raised in Baltimore. Maryland was my team. I was 8 years old when I heard the news about his death. I remember crying my eyes out, being so upset. He was my favorite athlete. Tragic. My heart still hurts when I think about him. He was going to be the GOAT.
Michael, I'm with ya! His passing the summer of '86 was the ultimate definition of the word tragic! I was between 8th grade and my freshman year of HS when I got the news! I chose him as my topic for a report I had to write for a class as a freshman following that summer and I couldn't get thru writing it without the emotions! I'm a die-hard Duke fan (since '81-'82), but there's no opponent Duke ever played whom I had a greater respect for than Bias! After him it's another Baltimore guy Juan Dixon! Love him too, but I miss Len greatly and could talk about his exploits for hours! There was no other his size who had the complete skill set! He should have been the National Player of the Year his senior season
I was 14 living in E.bmore when I heard da news and I'm still hurting I'm 51now and I just cop a red maryland Bias jersey he still my GOAT RIP Len Bias and Reggie Lewis
Jaylce, I've always said how fortunate the Pistons and Lakers both were during the late '80s not having to face a Len Bias included Celtics roster! It irritates me whenever you hear guys from those teams always talking their championships up during documentaries or discussions at the Celtics' expense and never does Len Bias come up in those! It disgusts me!
I'm crying right now watching this man I'm heartbroken but on a basketball note on the post move he could turn BOTH ways in the post and shoot the jumper what a skillset!!!!!!!
And big up Rise, he grew into that while at Maryland! I was ages 11-14 when Lenny was in College Park and being a die-hard Duke fan from age 10 during the '81-'82 season, vividly remember his entire career with the Terps! There have been very few who have evolved so quickly in such a short time span as Bias did! By the time he was drafted, he was the best to ever play his position in the ACC! The younger generation, because of his life being cut unceremoniously short, missed out on enjoying him! He was a blessing to watch believe me
@@buddyj8815 He really was on his way to becoming THE REAL DEAL on the professional level, so I don't really know whether your response was sarcastic or disrespectful towards both Len and my comments!
Finally some decent Bias highlights! I was at UVA, watched both Jordan and Bias in person, and they were both unbelievable. The obvious point about MJ is that he wasn't permitted to go one-on-one at Carolina, so people were shocked at the handle he showed when he got to the NBA. Bias didn't have that handle at Maryland, but Bias had two things Michael didn't: a history of making huge improvements to his game each year, and a flat-out impeccable jump shot. Does Bias develop his handle in the NBA? It depends. If the Celtics try to turn him into the next Bernard King or Dominique Wilkins, then no--he' just a really great small forward. But if they instead look at what the Bulls were doing with Pippen...well, that's when the fantasy talk really begins to take off. Bias had shooting fundamentals that NO ONE in the NBA could match, along with second-to-none athleticism. Add to that a Pippen-like handle, maybe some play-making and defense and you'd have a player that probably would have surpassed Michael. He was that good. Kevin Durant? Poor man's Len Bias. Yeah.
WAS LEN BIAS MURDERED TO HELP LAUNCH THE MASS INCARCERATION OF BLACK MEN UNDER THE RACIST SENTENCING OF THE WAR ON DRUGS? BALTIMORE - University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias died of "cocaine intoxication" after ingesting an unusually pure dose of the drug that stopped his heart within minutes, Maryland's chief medical examiner said Tuesday. Dr. John E. Smialek attributed Bias' death last Thursday morning directly to cocaine, "which interrupted the normal electrical control of his heartbeat, resulting in the sudden onset of seizures and cardiac arrest." The autopsy revealed that the drug taken by Bias was unadulterated, indicating that he had obtained "dealer-level quality" cocaine, said Howard Silverman, acting head of the state Drug Abuse Administration. "You're not going to stop on the street corner and get that quality," Silverman said. "You'd have to be pretty well connected." Marshall said that police found the dormitory suite "sanitized" when they searched the rooms shortly after Bias was pronounced dead at Leland Memorial Hospital in Riverdale at 8:50 a.m. EDT articles.latimes.com/1986-06-25/sports/sp-20106_1_len-bias DEA agents are uncertain when Tribble began selling drugs, but his lawyer, Thomas C. Morrow, maintains it did not happen until after the Bias case. "My impression was that, pre-Bias, he was not really much involved in drugs at all, except for recreational use," Morrow said. articles.latimes.com/1990-11-25/sports/sp-7643_1_brian-tribble MY QUESTION IS, IF BRIAN TRIBBLE ONLY GOT CONNECTED POST-BIAS, HOW DID HE GET HIS HANDS ON THE WHOLESALE COKE THAT KILLED BIAS?
Kevin Durant is the poor man's Len Bias? Such a stupid statement can't be unread... Durant is not only a completely different player, but a player more suited to his era. Ur doing the wrong thing by even trying to make that jacked up comparison
@@Idontwannahandl Okay, maybe that was a bit of a slight to Durant, who is obviously amazing. I take it back. :) But finding words to describe Len Bias is a challenge to anyone who saw him play in person.
Nice and most definitely don't ever let that go! Value now probably thru the proverbial roof my man! He's way up on my list of all-time favorite college players since I started watching the sport regularly at the end of my third grade year ('80-'81)
He's extremely high on my list for sure! I was 11-14 years old during his years with the Terps so I vividly remember his entire career there! And he kicked my team's ass in the '84 ACC finals! Best to ever play his position in the Atlantic Coast Conference
He looked like he had a amazing game. Smooth jump shot went up and dunked with authority. Definitely a true grown man game . He would’ve been one of the greats in nba if he had lived . Definitely would’ve been a tough cover . I am was to young to remember him play but from what I see he was a force. I would’ve loved to see him and Reggie Lewis if they both had lived , play together. I said this in another post , they along with Detroit, Bulls, and Cleveland would’ve been running the East for along time in the early 90’s and mid 90’s . Celts would’ve not have to rebuild as long as they had to . Those tragedies threw their franchise back along time . Those 2 guys were their pieces of the future. I would’ve loved to see the bulls Jordan and Pippen matchup with a prime Len Bias and prime Reggie Lewis as a true basketball fan .
I remember watching him in the State H.S. Championship Game. Said damn this kid is going to be great. Also watched Sugar Ray Leonard in Golden Gloves. You can see greatness in a young age.
Sugar Ray yes Palmer Park MD __ we were bused in Middle School __ in High School Leonard bused to Parkdale High in Riverdale MD __ just down the road from University of Maryland
@@gpwcowboy __ Bias went to Northwestern they lost to High Point __ want to hear something really sad __ I picked up Brian Tribble and went inside his house __ he introduced me to his parents _ nice family what a trajedy as many people partied then and still do I imagine all part of growing up
A body that was Lebron-lite, but moved like Kobe. And a shot Ray Allen stole. If there was ever a man who could have been better that Jordan it was Len.
Now just imagine how great that Celtic team would have been . Bias playing both forward position young legs coming off the bench. Not to mention the unfortunate death of Reggie Lewis. At least 2 more championships...
@@shonensaiyan , well, you're entitled to your opinion but u made it sound like Lenny couldn't jump over a brick. That's the only reason I made a comment. Lenny's game could not really be compared to anyone, he was that unique.
He could barely dribble. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I didn't see a single instance of him pulling off any sort of advanced hesitation move, nor did he dribble well in traffic.
I witnessed LB play at MD. He was the best B-ball player EVER on the court during ACC play. I remember the day he left us. I cried like I lost a close friend or family member. He was a great for sure and battled MJ to the end.
Derek, I vividly remember his entire career at MD also (it spanned my fifth thru eighth grade years) and the day he died I was gutted knowing he'd never get to team up with my boyhood idol Bird! After the summer he'd passed I wrote an essay on him and the effects of drugs during the first half of my freshman year in HS! He not only was the best in the ACC during his time like u said, but he was the best to play his position in the history of the conference! There's never been anyone whose skill set elevation evolved faster than Len Bias! He was a physical freak
Len Bias’ death changed NBA history forever. How many more rings would have Bird had if not for his death? Remember the Celtics were defending NBA champions. Len Bias being under the tutelage of the Legend? Are you kidding me? Then add Reggie Lewis to the mix? I guarantee Jordan doesn’t have six rings if Len Bias doesn’t pass away.
Hank Gathers and Len Bias were two of the best and most exciting college players ever. Both died early deaths for separate reasons. God only knows what impact in the NBA they both would have had.
Knowing the douche bag MJ became when he sold out, I have a feeling Len Bias ans Reggie Lewis could have had a better resistance to fame and attention, maybe humble Jordan a bit.
Their way too early in life deaths were the basketball equivalent of the Redskins' Sean Taylor! Freaks of nature who went too soon! What might have been doesn't do any of them justice
These highlights are great but I don't think the younger generation really believes that Lenny is as good as people say he is. I grew up a Michigan State fan and in 86 we had a really good team with Scott Skiles and Steve Smith in the same backcourt. But I swear to this day I've never seen a more talented player than Len Bias. He was definitely my favorite player growing up and a huge reason why I've never touched cocaine. Maybe God saw fit for Len to help save lives rather than entertain us. Rest In Power💯
Its because, Strong, they wanna block out what they hear based on their own today opinions! I'll be 49 in a few months and I vividly remember Bias' entire time he was at Maryland! I'm a die-hard Duke fan since '81-'82 at age 10 and '86 was our breakout year after some pathetic seasons as our heralded recruiting class led by Johnny Dawkins finally came to fruition; but to me Len Bias was the National Player of the Year in '86! After losing Ben Coleman, Adrian Branch and Herman Veal to graduation Maryland had little expectations and really with only Lenny back they unbelievably won 20 games (included three game sweep of a very good Carolina team) and made the second round of the Dance! Not only was he a physical specimen but his future was a limitless ceiling!
the day len bias died, was the day jordanmania was born!, len bias was actually gonna be the face of basketball!, not Jordan!!!..... facts!, rest in paradise fella!!!
If the Celtics had Pg Dennis Johnson Sg are ainge Sf bias Pf bird C Parrish With Kevin McHale playing the backup center AND power forward And Reggie Lewis coming off the bench to play backup ag and sf... Allowing lewis to play 35+ minutes a game That would have meant all 4 of bird bias McHale and Parrish would have heen playing 35+ minutes a game The Celtics probably would have won it in 87', 88, 89' and 90' Along with a couple that bias and lewis would have most likely won in the 90s... Bias would have added MINIMUM... 3/4 BANNERS TO THE RAFTERS
DoubleUpOnBob slightly unorthodox. but look at the height he reaches very hard to block. an it may have been a sorta bunny shot but it was all net. also look at how he pulls up from dribble. it was instantaneous. use your eyes to see
@@PodRealoaded You have more failures than success of high school players. That's a fact. If not, you wouldn't have the developemental NBA league. You haven't develope your talents/skills playing one year of college basketball. And when you saturate the league with one and done players, it diminshes the skill level.
My deceased father had a slightly racist bent, nothing overt but generally raving more about good White players than superior Black ones. But, the undeniable excellence of Len Bias won him over big time. I remember coming home late one night and my dad raving about how Len carried the Terps to a win over #1 North Carolina. When the Celtics drafted him, he said he would extend the careers of Boston's Big 3 front line (Bird.McHale, and Parrish). Tragedy.
Only one difference! Len Bias already had the physical stature and quickness put together age-wise before LeBron did! LeBron grew into the body he has now while in the pros!
Best mid range jumper EVER... And im not talking about for his age... Or in college history.... Or would have been... BIAS AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH HAD A BETTER MID RANGE JUMPER THAN ANYONE IN THE HISTORY OF BASKETBALL
Magic had Bird, Russell had Chamberlain. Michael Jordan's rival was supposed to be Len Bias. I saw his mom speak at Norfolk State University back in the day and she said the first flowers they got from a person of fame after he died was from Michael Jordan.
Reginald Leak WOW thats crazy
Reginald Leak They would have made each other even better! Which is kinda scary when you really think about it. Jordan had to use all kinds of trivial things (some imagined as well) to motivate himself because the game came so easily to him. Imagine if Bias was there as a permanent thorn in his side and vice versa!
That goes to show that MJ respected Len's game and the immense potential Len had to become an all time great.Greatness recognize greatness
cyber6sapien
I think with a sound and matured Harold Miner, the generation would have been super lit. Mike would come up on top anyway most probably, cause of the proven mental strength edge.
cyber6sapien
Umm, yes. Also, IMO could have been a resemblance of 3rd category hurricane that catches hot waters to become 5th category hurricane, being Len one of those hot waters, and if we add a matured, enhanced Harold Miner as more hot waters...... for Jordan to become greater....
wait, what did I just said!!!!??
RUclips finally has some solid, in-game highlights of Len Bias. I was getting tired of seeing re-used clips from that one ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, so I made my own video. I hope that you guys enjoy it!
- Pocky -
Oh, and judging from the games that I watched, Len Bias wasn't a Jordan/LeBron/Kareem/Duncan-level prospect. He had a sweet jump shot and could jump for days, but he could barely dribble, had no passing skills to speak of, and was a suspect rebounder. At best, I could see Bias becoming a bigger version of Dominique Wilkins.
Agree Len was no Jordan or Kobe. He was more of a Wilkins/Worthy type!
PockyCandy should watch more games of him then. He would've been a better Wilkens/Mcgrady
He was thought of as a Superstar level player Red Auerbach planned to draft him 2 years earlier, larry bird wanted to attend draft rookie practices with him, Jordan thought he was his rival
You're telling me that a player who could barely dribble, showed no passing skills whatsoever, and was an average defender and rebounder in college was going to be better than McGrady or Wilkins? He had great athleticism and a superb jump-shot, but the other skills just weren't there. He would've had to do a LOT of work to get to Wilkins' level.
We got robbed of a Bias MJ battle. Just imagine what could have been.
Most definitely
Stop it. ruclips.net/video/y4u4MdSGSDo/видео.html
DC had the major infamous notorious drug dealers in 80s Ray Edmond an so on. John Thompson saved Alonzo from hanging with drug dealers no one was around to save Len.
I was talking about in the NBA while in their prime.
@@ammonbakarri-o2108 , so true, he was hanging with the wrong people..aka. Brian Tribble for starters.
2:28 Did you hear him say “gimme that shit” as he snatched the rebound. Outstanding player
Yeah, I heard that, too. I was going to rewind, but you said what it was. Len bias was a couple of years younger than my friends and I, but being from DC, we couldn't wait for him to get to the NBA. I thought that folks were joking when they said that he had died. I had tears in my eyes and time moves on, but the pain never goes away. Then, a couple of years later his younger brother Jay was shot a killed. They were both sad events that everyone had to deal with in DC many years ago.
@@damilitantone He was from Landover
Len Bias would have changed the 🐐 conversation
@@jeffreywesley4873 The 1990s would be the MJ-LB era!
Had his own shoes with Reebok coming out of college. Would of been an all around history changing player. RIP
Yeah, I remember those shoes, they were opal black with white stripes.
Having a shoe contract out of college really means zero to me, as a fan, it's really everything wrong with today's players. Jordan got the contracts based off of everything he did on the court, post college, I still own XIII's because he was that great. It's the greatest shoe design ever, but right out of college? No man, earn it first.
Jordan got his show deal out of college and because he was an Olympic gold !real winner too he out lived the hype most death but Bias was a2nd and all American too bad he getting high one of the biggest what it's would have won a ring by doe
@@harithhunter8818 no parents around to guide slim.
@@charlesdjones1 so people being able to promote themselves as a brand and endorse products is wrong? Them being able to make money before during and after the league is wrong?
His athleticism combined with his jumper was scary. Imagine what he could've done with those 80s Celtics. What a talent. R.I.P. to Len.
Would have loved to see him play. Such a sad story
I was a 13-14 year old kid who just loved the Celtics and ACC Basketball being from NC and VA. When they drafted Bias I was just thrilled. That team could have possibly prolonged Birds career with Bias. And at minimum they would have played together for 6 years. Would have just dominated everyone else. The great WHAT-IF.
@@JoeBattleBird would've retired in 88 if they had bias.
the deaths of bias and reggie lewis set the celtics back 20 years...
@@ammonbakarri-o2108 the spurs are in the western conference, always were.
Reggie Lewis another great player that never got to maximize his potential. He was really a HoF caliber player the jump shot was unstoppable he would raise up so high on the release.
I completely agree, celtics would've won more titles in the 80s and 90s,
And it's amazing how many people forget or don't take into account the full impact Bias' untimely passing had on the Celtics' organization! There are also so many out there who are too young that missed out on him period! I vividly remember his days at Maryland, especially the three game clinic he put on the Tar Holes in '86! Cing him dissect them was a joy to watch! He had it all and I firmly believe he could have swung the '87 Finals in Boston's favor! He was a physical specimen in the literal sense and two time ACC Player of the Year! He would have been what Tim Duncan ended up becoming at the power forward position
@@bradlewis6514 that's real talk. With the Veterans they had in Boston to groom him along. Definitely would have been problem s for Chicago in the East and the Lakers in the West.
Would have easily averaged 25-30 points a game when he got to the nba
Most definitely 👍🏽
He would've also extended Bird's and McHale's careers at least until about 1995.
Xavier Harding bird said that he would’ve retired in 88 in an interview lol
@@lilrock447 That's weird lol, I know he had a bad back but he could've played way less minutes with a young Bias carrying more of the load. It's so sad we will never know how great Bias could've been.
Bogdan P lol
One of the saddest stories I've ever heard. What an awesome human being, just one mistake that took his life. God bless his soul. RIP
Same thing happened to a Raiders DT a few years later....hmmmmmm. Like Chappelle said "sprinkle a little crack on them"
2:30 gimme dat shit!!!
DA_ SUNTOUCHA 😭😂😂😂😂
And he gave it to him, lol.
I AM
THE DEMI GOD
Lol, he punked John Salley.
I remember laughing about it on the school bus with my friends
Bias had such a sweet shot. I watched him play his entire career at Maryland. I would argue, that he is the greatest baseline shooter, in the history of college basketball.
I was 11-14 age span while Bias was a Terp and vividly remember the three game clinic he put on the hated Tar Holes his senior season! It was poetry! He was the best power forward in the history of the ACC
Oscar robertson
@@JohnnyRodgers3 No.
@@Maal7432 yes
@@JohnnyRodgers3 Oscar wasn't a forward.
Playing with and learning from Bird would have elevated him further. Such a shame.
Fukk bird he was gon be better then 🐦..
No comparison. Two different type of players. You had to elevate you game to Len Bias game to compete and or play with him.
James H Henderson They’d have complemented each other. Imagine the alley-oops set up by Bird for Lenny to jam home. The Celts lost at least one title and maybe more (when you consider McHale playing on a broken foot in the 87 playoffs, Bird and McHale playing themselves into the ground that year) due to Bias’s death.
And we won’t even get into what Bias and Reggie Lewis could have done together.
He would of been better than Bird
The Boss Bird?? Lmao it would have been Jordan. Bird is shit.
ahhhh, the days when players didn't travel and take 50 steps after every dribble, gather, or to get off a shot. r.i.p. Len
The NBA is nothing but an entertainment and offensively driven sport that lacks the fundamentals for which the players of today now take for granted because they just do whatever they want! Rules no longer exist! And neither does the way the game grew
@@bradlewis6514 💯
@@flytii its why I have the appreciation that I do for the era I grew up in (early '80s)! While I was in late grade school into jr high, Larry Bird was my idol - that's why I was devastated when Bias died because I wanted them together! I was 14 the summer Bias passed and I still miss him! He was a sight to behold at Maryland! Unguardable
@@flytii with the hatred I grew to have for Carolina, it makes what Bias did to them his senior season even sweeter! A three game clinic complete with all the fundamentals! The Tar Holes had no answer for him
@Try Not To Avoid what exaggeration? How good Bias was at the collegiate level or that the NBA has become an offensively driven, no defense league which ruined the fundamentals of the sport?
Bias was a monster. Athletic, strong and skilled
And all at the size and build he was! He had no peer then and I don't believe now either! Simply because he was D'd up every time out and still fully played his game! No defense today! LeBron has a similar muscular stature but he hasn't had to face any level of physical defense like Bias did in college or would have in that eras' NBA
Brad Lewis that’s bullshit lol
@@carterbilbro4615 what's bullshit? How great Bias was no matter who defended him in college or that LeBron has played in the no-defense era of the NBA! Their both FACT, not bullshit!
@@carterbilbro4615 And if your old enough to remember Bias or when physical defense in the League existed, then you'd know first-hand they're FACTS
@ Brad Lewis that Carter guy is stupid, don’t pay no mind
Finally a full Len Bias highlight video without the 30 for 30 clips, Full Games, or that sad ass music. Thank you for this.
Thanks for watching! That was the reason I made this video: to create a video that had in-game highlights and didn't just recycle clips from the 30 for 30 documentary.
dude his jumpshot is crazy almost similar to how difficult it was to defend as dirk's one legged fade
His baseline jump shot was virtually undefendable. And he did it so quick, fluid, without hesitation.
Most definitely
I want my kid to play like Len Bias.
If I Had A Time Machine And Could Only Be Used 10 Times To Change History, One Use Would Be To SAVE LEN BIAS. 👏💯
viarod007 v how about bringing the McRib back for good.
@@snoophogg1177 Sure That Artery Buster Would Be Number 9. 😁
Wow, if I had 10 chances, one of them would be to save Bias too.
I would bring my brother back and I would bring Lenny with him
@@duvitgorhambone4015 , wow, that's a powerful statement. I feel similar, when he died I felt like I lost a relative.
Len Bias was the real deal
He more than was! And was gonna be even better yet
I remember Bias as a Freshman. You could see then, he had that "something". When the Terps would play the big teams, Bias always showed up! One of my favorite sites is Len Bias rising up to take a smoothly stroked jumper. Bias was one of the few "true scorers" that when he wanted or felt the need to takeover a game....forget it! There was nothing anyone was going to do, including Jordan that could stop him. We were robbed of watching what I have no doubt would have been a Hall of Fame career. Len Bias will always be my favorite Terrapin. The morning we heard the news will stay with me forever.
U right, once Bias put his mind to it, no one was going to stop him, including Jordan.
Omg I remember it like it just happened yesterday! Was summer before my freshman year of HS! I was devastated! I started watching college basketball regularly when I was in fourth grade ('81-'82), the yr before Len attended Maryland so I remember his career there vividly! The three game clinic he put on the team I despise like no other - the Tar Holes his senior yr - is the one thing that has always stuck out to me! He accomplished alot, but to do that to a Dean Smith coached team three times in the same season trumps all! What he could and would have become I still enjoy thinking about today
As I've already stated a couple times on this post, he has no peer when it comes to being the best power forward in ACC history
He had the mid-range game and outside shooting of Durant, the finishing skills of Jordan, and played D.... He was special.
DrPommels of Jordan?
Lol
@@magacop5180 len >>>>>> jokedan
Sorry
I'm a huge Celts and Bias fan but although he had a good outside shot it wasn't like Durant, one of the top 5 shooters in NBA history. But yeah, with Bias, the Celtics win at least one more title in the Bird era and perhaps a couple more once it became Len's team. The whole thing still absolutely sickens me to this day. I LOVE the ESPN 30 for 30 Series but I can not and will not ever watch "Without Bias". Too depressing.
@@tombstone1111 I can't base his jump shot or compare it to Durant currently. Reason being Kevin has had YEARS of perfecting his jumper versus Bias who died very early in life! Yes KD has a beautiful game but athletic ability Bias blows him out the water & yes I agree with your commentary especially the documentaries it's way to sad....mmj
Not Durant, but more Ray Allen.
That Jumper was just straight smooth... Incredible athlete
sterl pettis he was amazing. I live in Md
Roy Rezek I was in the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune and went up to Chapel Hill to see a girl and she ask me if I wanted to go to the game, greatest player I ever seen play sitting courtside
There was absolutely no one at that time his size who had that much game! The package he was at his build! Wow! In fact, I don't know of anyone now that size who is as quick as he was at his size! And doing it while being hounded defensively! Everybody always talks up LeBron, but LeBron has benefited from a punchless defensive NBA! He's never been D'd up like Bias was at Maryland or would have been in that eras' NBA
Celtics could’ve built around him and won championships in the 90s
His death changed the history of the league
He and Reggie Lewis would of been Celtics all time greats
The chips they would have won would be ‘87 and ‘88.
@@impassable Right on! It absolutely did and it gets unfairly neglected by the other power franchises of the day, most notably the Lakers and Pistons! There's never mention of the Celtics not having Bias
@@impassable I loved Magic and I loved the Bad Boys but I would tell anyone who'd be willing to listen that with Bias, the Celtics would have remained the class of the East and been able to give anyone a tussle
Thank you for this. As a former Maryland student when Len was there, we saw the most amazing basketball at Cole Field house and in epic games such as the "Dean Dome" game. It was most certainly the death of a dream.
Len Bias would have cocooned into a savage. Power dunks, sick posterizers, 20+ rebound games, super hand checking defense, triple doubles galore, inside post perfection, outside wet wet 🌊 Bulls vs Celtics conference finals every year 90's. RIP
Golden Surfer cocooned? So he would have wrapped tightly into a shell? U mean blossomed ?
Cocooned? 🤔
Yes he would have 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥he would have had a great career
@@josecarranza7555 metamorphosis
@@RexT3rra It's safe to say he definitely would have had a good career. Very tragic situation. A very talented man who let drugs get the best of him right before he started playing. Huge huge news in sports, sad news.
Damn Len it still hurts to imagine what you would've brought to the NBA game playing next to the big 3 in Boston. It's even scarier to think what both you and Reggie Lewis could've done playing together. MJ and Scottie would've still got their fair share of rings but something 's telling me that they wouldn't have 6. Maybe 4 and definitely I see Lewis and Bias winning 2 at least. Dude your class been retired and the game still misses you. RIP
@Wali Ahmad MJ and Scottie still get 6. But Magic only gets 3 and the Detroit bad boys get 0.
@@goodfella2400 all I gotta say is Mike was a junior while Len was a freshman and he was giving Mike and his team of future NBA stars the business. Mike had players in the 90's scared of him, Len wasn't scared of no one. And Reggie Lewis was another animal who moved his scoring average up every year just like Kawhi Leonard. Google it he blocked Jordan shot 4 times in the same game. I agree the Pistons don't have 2 , and the Lakers only have 4 but the Bulls, yes the Bulls Prolly only have 3 or 4 at the most. Len was that tough.
Right
@Wali Ahmad you’re embellishing which is a normal human response. The reality is, adding Bias to a rebuilding ‘90s team would not have made them a contender. Further, Bias’ survival unfortunately would not have changed the fact the Lewis still would have died. Maybe MJ only gets 5 if with Bias the ‘91 Celtics finish the job. Google their first half record that year. But the reality is their window would have been closed after ‘91, even with Bias. And the rebuild would take years, as it did. Their best opportunity for chips with Bias would clearly have been ‘87 & ‘88.
@@goodfella2400 Goodfellas, those would-have- been '87 and '88 titles are more than what anyone even mentions today about the Celtics' having! Amazing how transparent some are when it comes to talking up their successes during that era in regards to what the Celtics would have been with Bias in that lineup! I remember that era very well (was starting HS when Bias unfortunately passed on)! What I meant is that the Lakers and Pistons always talk about how great they were, but they fail to mention having had to go thru the Celtics at a time when their franchise was reeling due to Bias' death! He most certainly would have altered the outcome in the East and against the Lakers had he been around! And he would have taken reign in Boston once Bird's body began to catch up to his aggressive style
MJ was gonna have a problem. Bottom line
doubt tht mane...
MJ never had problems and never would. But Bias was an unbelievable talent. Shit is sad af
@@el34glo59 , thanks for keeping your comments balanced, I was a fan of both Bias and Jordan.
Doubtful
Yup.
When Len died I was so sadden and realized how terrible drugs can be to destroy a future legendary NBA player. I devoted my life at that point to clean living! Len’s misfortune was my wake up call to healthy living. God bless Len Bias!
Well it's good you learned a lesson about drugs from that situation at least. Some positive came from it for you.
I vividly remember when Len died, and whenever i see these highlights of him, there's only two words that come to mind: What if? I mean could you imagine what he could have contributed to the Celtics back in the 80's ,and with Bird, McHale how far they would have gone?
Nobody cares about your Celtics, we just wanted to see this guy hoop. Doesn’t matter what team he played for, just would’ve loved to see him play basketball & still be alive today.
@@franchise5527 Actually, I'm not a Celtic fan. I'm just saying that had he played on the team, he would have contributed a lot.
Len bias kinda reminds me of Bernard king he defitnitely would have been a problem for the NBA R.I.P 🙏🏾
@THE PREDICATE / Bernard king with a 42” vertical
@@elovesent17 , exactly
A much better shooter than bernard king, more athletic
Their physical statures very similar but Bias at the college level was quicker!
Bernard's agility is what his success was built on
This one still hurts 35 years later.
Was laying on the beach on 127st in Ocean City workin the beach stand. Hung over and half asleep. Didn't believe what I heard. Never forget that day.
I cried about Len bias as a kid. it hurt me bad.
Yeah, because he was that good. People like him just don't come around, hardly ever, so losing him was just really big.
One the greatest basketball players I have ever seen on any level.
Lets admit it folks. MJ would not have his 6 rings if this man was playing on the celtics. They both would have their fair share. Say 3 and 3?
College careers:
Jordan [3 years] = 17.7 ppg (.540 fg%), 5.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.7 spg, 0.7 bpg
Bias [4 years] = 16.4 ppg (.536 fg%), 5.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.7 bpg
North Carolina Tar Heels vs Maryland Terrapins on January 12, 1984:
Bias = 24 pts, 4 rebs
Jordan = 21 pts, 12 rebs (7 off), 2 blks, at least 4 stls
Highlights of the game was uploaded by starks23 (stats provided in the description), which ended with Jordan's iconic cradle dunk at the buzzer. Both men played each other four times overall. The first two in '83, Bias wasn't a starter yet. The last one was on February 19th the next year where Jordan scored 25 and Bias had 18.
Also always had a moment for random kids on campus, and knew hundreds of people's names. A really nice guy. :(
26 people need to go bleep themselves. What an amazing video. This dude was so talented. Heartbreaking. Great video as always.
I remember hearing of his death in my car coming back from a friends house in Conway like it was yesterday I was devastated I felt such a strong connection to Lenny
Tough to watch as a Celtics fan. Larry would’ve ended up with 6 rings (with help from Reggie Lewis)
Nothing worse than wasted talent. I would've loved to know what he could've done in the NBA. My God, what ashame he died young. I loved bias. Me and my dad would always watch the terps. Miss you Len
The best that never was!! Period!
Born and raised in Maryland & never seen a more complete basketball player! When he played college basketball there was absolutely no one better and I mean no one!
Frederick, he was the BEST POWER FORWARD in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference, BAR NONE! And he had absolutely no peer for a guy his size with that complete a skill set
My favorite Bias moment and I could reiterate it forever! I'm a die-hard Duke fan, but I respected no opposing player more than Len - so the three-game equal level exhibition he put on Dean Smith's Tar Holes as a senior in '85-'86 is to me his college masterpiece and at Carolina's expense making it that much sweeter! I was 14 then and remember it like it was yesterday! Oh and he beat us down in the 1984 ACC Final, so he gets a whole lot of credit from me for that also
Before I go, I wanna mention one other thing about Bias! Like I said I'm a lifer Duke fan (have been since the early '80s when they did actually suck and contrary to popular belief) and I love Johnny Dawkins! He was part of the recruitment that saved us! But Len Bias should have been the National Player of the Year in 1986! That Maryland team finished 20-14 along with the previously stated beautiful three game sweep of Carolina, and making the second round of the Dance (gave Vegas all they could handle) after having lost Coleman, Veal and Adrian Branch from the previous season! Bias made that team and the fact they got out of it what they did was remarkable! Showed his importance and regardless he still brought all-in Len every game! He was the best player in America his senior year
I often hear stories about how he was gonna for sure be an all time great. And after watching these highlights I believe it. His game was finesse with raw power athleticism. Man what a loss. And to think he was gonna be on the Celtics in the 80’s sheesh
Red Auerbach: "We drug tested him during his physical and he was clean prior to the incident. So I concluded that he just made a horrible mistake. Christ, he was one hell of a basketball player."
He's style was to ugly to be better than Jordan
@@samuelhaynes5090 , really man, what part of his game was ugly?
@@samuelhaynes5090 Samuel, what Len Bias did u witness! Obviously wasn't the same one most of us old enough to remember do! Jordan wasn't anywhere near Bias' size and there was no one else at that time who had the quickness and agility of a man with his physical stature
Brad Lewis jordan wasn’t as big as a lot of guys wtf does that have to do with it?
Brad Lewis Dominique Wilkins was bigger than jordan... was he better n Wilkins is definitely as good of an athlete as bias.. his vertical was higher n he was quicker.. Len was stronger..
BIAS Only Weakness WAS His HANDLE. He Was A More Complete Player At That Time Then Jordan. Mike Admitted To It. 🤔💯👏
How many players 6'8" or taller had a great handle? Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Ben Simmons, . ...not a very long list, lol.
Can you post a link with Jordan saying this?
Bruh...w/o handle he wasnt going to be that good😔😑 I knew i wasn't trippin nigga couldn't dribble for shit and he was supposed to be "Jordan rival".....fuck no 👎
@@karithema9ician657 lol huh joker!!!
Penny Hardaway, Billy Owens, Melo, Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill, Jamal Mashburn, Derrick Coleman Tracy McGrady. Definitely not many in his day but the game was more different and structured. Len was special because he played with heart and jumper was clutch. Made for the NBA game.
We'll never know but I steak claim and wager that if Bias didn't OD and played in the league, the course of Championships would have been altered for both MJ and Kobe!
You might also throw Magic in the mix as well.
Len Bias was a superior Athelete while at Maryland!
How many players would you consider, before coming out of college, "Had No Flaws In their Game?"
He was more than NBA ready and may have established records in the league that wouldn't have ever been broken.
The sad part about his passing was that he wasn't out partying acting stupid or irresponsibly.
Some might claim that he was acting irresponsible because of what the autopsy revealed was his cause of death, but coming from and being raised in the inner city, the action was one of a congratulatory nature, because of all his accomplishments and him moving on to the next stage of his life and career.
That maybe hard for some to understand, but for those who had the city struggles in terms of trying to find a way out for you and your family, from my estimation that's what was also being celebrated.
He certainly wasn't some addict or drug fiend!
Unfortunately he just celebrated in the wrong way...
To this day and moving forward, much love and well wishes to The Bias Family.
Len Bias was also one of a kind and he would have certainly proved it if his life wasn't unfortunately cut so short...
Very underrated comment, you said ti all.
He would be the GOAT of all GOATS, period.
Many people can say whatever they want, but Len was by far superior than anybody else at that time, there is no doubt.
A bright kid who had one bad night in his life. But unfortunately it ended it. Life sucks sometimes.
@@golgytv he absolutely was! The skill set he developed at Maryland made him the best to ever play his position in the history of the ACC by the end of his time there! I still vividly remember his career at Maryland (late grade school into junior high) and more than remember the day he passed (6/19/86) right before my freshman year in HS! Larry Bird was my idol growing up and I was so disheartened Bias never got to team up with him! It set the Celtics back several years and I believe made them more playoff vulnerable and aged them collectively trying to move on from his death
he was ACC player of the year in 85 and in 86. There is a chance he could have become the best NBA player ever. He was basically Dominique with a much better shot and an extra inch
No idea what the college scoring averages of Maravich and Bias have to do with how great a player Bias would have become in the NBA.
Comparing him to Dominique with a better jump shot is right on. Best comparison of them all!
@Matt Beeman and that's because scoring is all Maravich could do consistently! Bias had a complete skill set, while Maravich's was overall, average at best! He lacked rebounding, he lacked defense and he lacked leadership! And his teams equalled what his overall skill set was - AVERAGE!
I remember watching him in college. That dude was beastmode all the time
Nice elevation on that jumper. A physical specimen too.
This was my dude back in the day!!! My ALL Time college basketball player! Damn!!!😢
I never realized he had such a great mid-range game..
Here's what I gotta say... if you are too young to know who this guy really is... you should not comment.. puppy's stay on the porch.
I was born and raised in Baltimore. Maryland was my team. I was 8 years old when I heard the news about his death. I remember crying my eyes out, being so upset. He was my favorite athlete. Tragic. My heart still hurts when I think about him. He was going to be the GOAT.
Michael, I'm with ya! His passing the summer of '86 was the ultimate definition of the word tragic! I was between 8th grade and my freshman year of HS when I got the news! I chose him as my topic for a report I had to write for a class as a freshman following that summer and I couldn't get thru writing it without the emotions! I'm a die-hard Duke fan (since '81-'82), but there's no opponent Duke ever played whom I had a greater respect for than Bias! After him it's another Baltimore guy Juan Dixon! Love him too, but I miss Len greatly and could talk about his exploits for hours! There was no other his size who had the complete skill set! He should have been the National Player of the Year his senior season
Michael Roden I share the same thoughts when you say he would have been the goat
I was 14 living in E.bmore when I heard da news and I'm still hurting I'm 51now and I just cop a red maryland Bias jersey he still my GOAT RIP Len Bias and Reggie Lewis
Celtics fan here wondering what could've been.
Damn...
RIP Lenny.
Jaylce, I've always said how fortunate the Pistons and Lakers both were during the late '80s not having to face a Len Bias included Celtics roster! It irritates me whenever you hear guys from those teams always talking their championships up during documentaries or discussions at the Celtics' expense and never does Len Bias come up in those! It disgusts me!
I'm crying right now watching this man I'm heartbroken but on a basketball note on the post move he could turn BOTH ways in the post and shoot the jumper what a skillset!!!!!!!
Pussy
And big up Rise, he grew into that while at Maryland! I was ages 11-14 when Lenny was in College Park and being a die-hard Duke fan from age 10 during the '81-'82 season, vividly remember his entire career with the Terps! There have been very few who have evolved so quickly in such a short time span as Bias did! By the time he was drafted, he was the best to ever play his position in the ACC! The younger generation, because of his life being cut unceremoniously short, missed out on enjoying him! He was a blessing to watch believe me
Brad Lewis shut the fuck up. Rip Len
@@buddyj8815 He really was on his way to becoming THE REAL DEAL on the professional level, so I don't really know whether your response was sarcastic or disrespectful towards both Len and my comments!
Finally some decent Bias highlights! I was at UVA, watched both Jordan and Bias in person, and they were both unbelievable. The obvious point about MJ is that he wasn't permitted to go one-on-one at Carolina, so people were shocked at the handle he showed when he got to the NBA. Bias didn't have that handle at Maryland, but Bias had two things Michael didn't: a history of making huge improvements to his game each year, and a flat-out impeccable jump shot.
Does Bias develop his handle in the NBA? It depends. If the Celtics try to turn him into the next Bernard King or Dominique Wilkins, then no--he' just a really great small forward. But if they instead look at what the Bulls were doing with Pippen...well, that's when the fantasy talk really begins to take off.
Bias had shooting fundamentals that NO ONE in the NBA could match, along with second-to-none athleticism. Add to that a Pippen-like handle, maybe some play-making and defense and you'd have a player that probably would have surpassed Michael. He was that good.
Kevin Durant? Poor man's Len Bias. Yeah.
WAS LEN BIAS MURDERED TO HELP LAUNCH THE MASS INCARCERATION OF BLACK MEN UNDER THE RACIST SENTENCING OF THE WAR ON DRUGS?
BALTIMORE - University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias died of "cocaine intoxication" after ingesting an unusually pure dose of the drug that stopped his heart within minutes, Maryland's chief medical examiner said Tuesday.
Dr. John E. Smialek attributed Bias' death last Thursday morning directly to cocaine, "which interrupted the normal electrical control of his heartbeat, resulting in the sudden onset of seizures and cardiac arrest."
The autopsy revealed that the drug taken by Bias was unadulterated, indicating that he had obtained "dealer-level quality" cocaine, said Howard Silverman, acting head of the state Drug Abuse Administration.
"You're not going to stop on the street corner and get that quality," Silverman said. "You'd have to be pretty well connected."
Marshall said that police found the dormitory suite "sanitized" when they searched the rooms shortly after Bias was pronounced dead at Leland Memorial Hospital in Riverdale at 8:50 a.m. EDT
articles.latimes.com/1986-06-25/sports/sp-20106_1_len-bias
DEA agents are uncertain when Tribble began selling drugs, but his lawyer, Thomas C. Morrow, maintains it did not happen until after the Bias case.
"My impression was that, pre-Bias, he was not really much involved in drugs at all, except for recreational use," Morrow said.
articles.latimes.com/1990-11-25/sports/sp-7643_1_brian-tribble
MY QUESTION IS, IF BRIAN TRIBBLE ONLY GOT CONNECTED POST-BIAS, HOW DID HE GET HIS HANDS ON THE WHOLESALE COKE THAT KILLED BIAS?
Both yall weirdos need to get a life and go outside..... lmfao
@@SapphicTwist We All Know Where The Pure High Grade Coke Came From, Of Course HIS Wing Man Wasn't Going To Indict HIMSELF. ✊💯🤔
Kevin Durant is the poor man's Len Bias? Such a stupid statement can't be unread... Durant is not only a completely different player, but a player more suited to his era. Ur doing the wrong thing by even trying to make that jacked up comparison
@@Idontwannahandl Okay, maybe that was a bit of a slight to Durant, who is obviously amazing. I take it back. :) But finding words to describe Len Bias is a challenge to anyone who saw him play in person.
@2:27 Bias blocks the shot and yells, "Gimme that shit!"
Lol..I know right
I was 22 in the summer of 1986 when I heard the crazy news of Len dying from smoking rock cocaine. That scared me so much, I never tried it
If he didn't die Boston would have about 3 to 4 more titles.
And MJ would have one or two less rings.
@@austinsnyder5262 Totally agree. That Boston team would've been awesome to see
I have his jersey for the Celtics
Nice and most definitely don't ever let that go! Value now probably thru the proverbial roof my man! He's way up on my list of all-time favorite college players since I started watching the sport regularly at the end of my third grade year ('80-'81)
SMDH! I CAN STILE FEEL THE PAIN ! SMDH! 😥
My favorite all time college basketball player !!!
He's extremely high on my list for sure! I was 11-14 years old during his years with the Terps so I vividly remember his entire career there! And he kicked my team's ass in the '84 ACC finals! Best to ever play his position in the Atlantic Coast Conference
He looked like he had a amazing game. Smooth jump shot went up and dunked with authority. Definitely a true grown man game . He would’ve been one of the greats in nba if he had lived . Definitely would’ve been a tough cover . I am was to young to remember him play but from what I see he was a force. I would’ve loved to see him and Reggie Lewis if they both had lived , play together. I said this in another post , they along with Detroit, Bulls, and Cleveland would’ve been running the East for along time in the early 90’s and mid 90’s . Celts would’ve not have to rebuild as long as they had to . Those tragedies threw their franchise back along time . Those 2 guys were their pieces of the future. I would’ve loved to see the bulls Jordan and Pippen matchup with a prime Len Bias and prime Reggie Lewis as a true basketball fan .
I remember watching him in the State H.S. Championship Game. Said damn this kid is going to be great. Also watched Sugar Ray Leonard in Golden Gloves. You can see greatness in a young age.
Pg county. Palmer Park.
Sugar Ray yes Palmer Park MD __ we were bused in Middle School __ in High School Leonard bused to Parkdale High in Riverdale MD __ just down the road from University of Maryland
@@gpwcowboy __ Bias went to Northwestern they lost to High Point __ want to hear something really sad __ I picked up Brian Tribble and went inside his house __ he introduced me to his parents _ nice family what a trajedy as many people partied then and still do I imagine all part of growing up
If I had ONE wish I'd wish bias would've played in the nba. Smh. Shit still hurts. Rip Mr.Bias.
BIAS was Beast!!!
Could you imagine him joining the league and filling out?
I know he never played a game in the NBA but he should be a playable character in 2k
Just say no to drugs🤦🏿♂️
A body that was Lebron-lite, but moved like Kobe. And a shot Ray Allen stole. If there was ever a man who could have been better that Jordan it was Len.
This dude was awesome! My first time seeing real time highlights of him....
Now just imagine how great that Celtic team would have been . Bias playing both forward position young legs coming off the bench. Not to mention the unfortunate death of Reggie Lewis. At least 2 more championships...
A V.Carter LeBron k. Leonard and Kobe mixture..
I can see that.
Where do u people come up with this shit...
Whatever happened to that Jordan kid for NC? Did he play ball in Europe or something like that? What a bust!
This guy was NBA-ready. Like a mix of Garnett and Kemp. Really tragic and makes you wonder what could have been
Bernard King too with the athletic ability of a Dominique Wilkins.
@@craigprice1598 nique was easily more athletic
@@shonensaiyan , obviously you never seen Lenny play cuz if u did you could never make a statement like that.
@@craigprice1598 I've seen both guys highlights and nique was more explosive and powerful
@@shonensaiyan , well, you're entitled to your opinion but u made it sound like Lenny couldn't jump over a brick. That's the only reason I made a comment. Lenny's game could not really be compared to anyone, he was that unique.
He CANT dribble? I'm not seeing it. Dude was good...but no where near Jordan😂😂 I can't believe they still lie about that til this day
He could barely dribble. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I didn't see a single instance of him pulling off any sort of advanced hesitation move, nor did he dribble well in traffic.
God bless the dead len bias was the greatest
Jordan is the greatest of all time but if Len Bias was playing in the NBA during the 90s, Jorda n would have less rings
I witnessed LB play at MD. He was the best B-ball player EVER on the court during ACC play. I remember the day he left us. I cried like I lost a close friend or family member. He was a great for sure and battled MJ to the end.
Derek, I vividly remember his entire career at MD also (it spanned my fifth thru eighth grade years) and the day he died I was gutted knowing he'd never get to team up with my boyhood idol Bird! After the summer he'd passed I wrote an essay on him and the effects of drugs during the first half of my freshman year in HS! He not only was the best in the ACC during his time like u said, but he was the best to play his position in the history of the conference! There's never been anyone whose skill set elevation evolved faster than Len Bias! He was a physical freak
Len Bias’ death changed NBA history forever. How many more rings would have Bird had if not for his death? Remember the Celtics were defending NBA champions.
Len Bias being under the tutelage of the Legend? Are you kidding me? Then add Reggie Lewis to the mix?
I guarantee Jordan doesn’t have six rings if Len Bias doesn’t pass away.
Dude was light years ahead of his time
Bias was going to be added to a championship team that just went 67-15. Chances are the Celtics would have three-peated: ‘86, ‘87, ‘88.
Hank Gathers and Len Bias were two of the best and most exciting college players ever. Both died early deaths for separate reasons. God only knows what impact in the NBA they both would have had.
Knowing the douche bag MJ became when he sold out, I have a feeling Len Bias ans Reggie Lewis could have had a better resistance to fame and attention, maybe humble Jordan a bit.
Their way too early in life deaths were the basketball equivalent of the Redskins' Sean Taylor! Freaks of nature who went too soon! What might have been doesn't do any of them justice
Whats crazy is he was doing more shooting than dunking. Man he would have been a gem.
RIP LB 🙏🙏🙏
Bias was better than Jordan. I will go to the grave with that statement.
These highlights are great but I don't think the younger generation really believes that Lenny is as good as people say he is. I grew up a Michigan State fan and in 86 we had a really good team with Scott Skiles and Steve Smith in the same backcourt. But I swear to this day I've never seen a more talented player than Len Bias. He was definitely my favorite player growing up and a huge reason why I've never touched cocaine. Maybe God saw fit for Len to help save lives rather than entertain us. Rest In Power💯
Its because, Strong, they wanna block out what they hear based on their own today opinions! I'll be 49 in a few months and I vividly remember Bias' entire time he was at Maryland! I'm a die-hard Duke fan since '81-'82 at age 10 and '86 was our breakout year after some pathetic seasons as our heralded recruiting class led by Johnny Dawkins finally came to fruition; but to me Len Bias was the National Player of the Year in '86! After losing Ben Coleman, Adrian Branch and Herman Veal to graduation Maryland had little expectations and really with only Lenny back they unbelievably won 20 games (included three game sweep of a very good Carolina team) and made the second round of the Dance! Not only was he a physical specimen but his future was a limitless ceiling!
This dude so dope!
Poetry In Motion. 1 of The Best Ever. 1,000.... THANKS 😉
#BmoreStandUp 1.....
Such a shame the NBA was cheated out of the next big rivalry after Magic and Bird with Jordan and Bias.
As a Maryland fan, I am Bias.
I remember the day of the bad news...
Broke DC heart.
LB the greatest player who never played in the NBA
the day len bias died, was the day jordanmania was born!, len bias was actually gonna be the face of basketball!, not Jordan!!!..... facts!, rest in paradise fella!!!
Nah.. Jordan was electric as a rookie. Flashy and phenomenal. Perfect player to market
Bullshit. U act like u and Daved stern we're buddies .
Come on bro that's fan fiction. Bias or no jordan was jordan but truth be told who knows how good bias might have been. Shame
FAAAAAAAX 🍀
@@SadDad01 lol don't get mad at facts my G
If the Celtics had
Pg Dennis Johnson
Sg are ainge
Sf bias
Pf bird
C Parrish
With Kevin McHale playing the backup center AND power forward
And Reggie Lewis coming off the bench to play backup ag and sf... Allowing lewis to play 35+ minutes a game
That would have meant all 4 of bird bias McHale and Parrish would have heen playing 35+ minutes a game
The Celtics probably would have won it in 87', 88, 89' and 90'
Along with a couple that bias and lewis would have most likely won in the 90s...
Bias would have added MINIMUM... 3/4 BANNERS TO THE RAFTERS
Best jumpshot I have ever seen.
Then you haven't seen much, bubba.
DoubleUpOnBob slightly unorthodox. but look at the height he reaches very hard to block. an it may have been a sorta bunny shot but it was all net. also look at how he pulls up from dribble. it was instantaneous. use your eyes to see
@@doubleuponbob3397 no wonder why ur stuck in a basement
He had a hell of a jumper!!
Best college basketball play ever during that era. The one and done era has diminshed college basketball and pro ball as well.
How if it resulted in a shitton of legends coming straight out of high school?
@@PodRealoaded You have more failures than success of high school players. That's a fact. If not, you wouldn't have the developemental NBA league. You haven't develope your talents/skills playing one year of college basketball. And when you saturate the league with one and done players, it diminshes the skill level.
My deceased father had a slightly racist bent, nothing overt but generally raving more about good White players than superior Black ones. But, the undeniable excellence of Len Bias won him over big time. I remember coming home late one night and my dad raving about how Len carried the Terps to a win over #1 North Carolina. When the Celtics drafted him, he said he would extend the careers of Boston's Big 3 front line (Bird.McHale, and Parrish). Tragedy.
He was Lebron before Lebron
Best comparison I can make even though I hate Lebron.
Only one difference! Len Bias already had the physical stature and quickness put together age-wise before LeBron did! LeBron grew into the body he has now while in the pros!
Best mid range jumper EVER...
And im not talking about for his age...
Or in college history....
Or would have been...
BIAS AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH HAD A BETTER MID RANGE JUMPER THAN ANYONE IN THE HISTORY OF BASKETBALL
We miss you Lenny! Rest In Peace.