I love the NBA draft. Most people are obsessive compulsive about the NFL draft, memorizing 40 times, shuttle run times, vertical leaps, etc. Not me, I live for the oversized posses, the suits covering all the colors in the rainbow, tremendous upside potential and bow ties. I love finding out who is going to be this year’s Latrell Spreewell, Kenny Anderson, or Chris Kaman (Gerald Henderson, Brandon Jennings, and BJ Mullins, respectively). The one comparison I have heard a few times has stopped me cold, Blake Griffin to Len Bias.
Most casual fans probably look at the second name and think, who is that? Len Bias is a name that is now synonymous with tragedy and unfulfilled potential and only brought up every five years on the anniversary of his death. The next time we’ll see stories about Bias airing on SportsCenter or Outside the Lines and online columns posted about him won’t be until 2011, probably in June, right before the NBA draft and right before the 25th anniversary of Len Bias’s death. I’m not waiting until then, because Len Bias’s story can not be brought up enough, even if it breaks my heart as a basketball fan and a person every time I hear it.
Len Bias’s life was cut short when he was about to fulfill his dream. He was about to lead a dynasty into its next generation and become the face of the Boston Celtics, the most successful franchise in NBA history. In 1986, the Celtics were coming off a championship season in which they were 67-15 and finished 50-1 at the
Bias was a 6’8” 210-pound small forward with explosive athleticism. He was far and away the most can’t miss selection of the 1986 draft. He had just been unanimously selected first team All-America and the ACC Athlete of the Year. Former Duke forward Mark Alarie called Bias “the best athlete I’ve ever seen, and that includes Michael Jordan.” That is high praise from someone who played against the GOAT and Bias at similar points in their careers. A top performer on the verge of seeing his dream and career take off, only to have it taken away by a cruel twist of fate – reminds me of another story I’ve heard in a different entertainment arena. It sounds like the story of the Notorious B.I.G.
Like Bias, the Notorious B.I.G. had more potential than just about anyone who ever practiced his craft. Bias could do things on the basketball court that just about no one else would even think possible. If you don’t believe me about Bias, check out this video and tell me who else would have the ability, awareness, athleticism and body control to pull that play off at Bias’s size, the list is no longer than maybe two or three. Listen to the song Ready to Die by Biggie, I can’t think of anyone else that could pull that song off. With Bird and Magic Johnson at the top of their games, the NBA had reached heights that seemed nearly impossible just six years prior when the Finals were broadcast on a tape delay. Bias and
Biggie was about give
Bad Boy, a label that already had Craig Mack as a star, had signed Biggie and was about to explode before a fateful night stopped everything suddenly. Just like Biggie said, they both had their tragic nights when they “dropped unexpectedly like bird s***.” The Ready to Die album was Biggie’s coming out party, when he announced his presence and made the leap from prospect to bonafide superstar. It was like Bias’s senior season at
Both Bias and the Notorious B.I.G. had challengers in their possible ascent to their throne. Tupac Shakur shared much in common with Big, both coming up in
Bias had Michael Jordan. MJ had been in the league for two years, and his Bulls gave the Celtics as many problems a team could have during a sweep.
Two nights after being drafted second by
I imagine that helplessness Bias’s friends felt was similar to feeling that Combs felt as he heard gunshots fired into the car behind him. The same feeling he had after the doctors informed him and Big’s family that the bullets that shred through his oversized body shred up any plans and dreams B.I.G. had.
As a basketball fan and a hip-hop fan, I can’t help but think what would be had both individuals lived up to their endless potential. I can’t help but think what would be had a few unfortunate events had unfolding differently. But that’s not the way it is. People will always look for the next Jordan, the next Ludacris or the next Shaq. Many will be unfairly tagged with these titles only to fall short. But the comparisons that are truly not fair are the ones like Len Bias and The Notorious B.I.G. Anyone can be labeled the next Jamal Crawford – as Tyreke Evans has been by nbadraft.net – and we can see how the comparisons play out over their career. Comparing someone to Len Bias is truly unfair, and not to be taken lightly, because no one can say what would have been. All that will ever be are dreams, what ifs and too many broken lives. Many say there will never be another Michael Jordan or another Larry Bird, the only player that we will never see again is Len Bias, at least I hope so.
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