This June 19, 1986, France mourns Coluche, who died in a road accident. Across the Atlantic, June 19, 1986 is also a tragic date in the history of the NBA in particular, and of US sport in general.
Number 2 of the 1986 Draft, Len Bias (22, born November 18, 1963) died of an overdose two days after being chosen by the defending champions Boston Celtics. With two teammates from Maryland, he celebrated his draft by “snorting” cocaine. At 6:30 a.m., his heart stopped, and help was unable to resuscitate him.
A “What If? »Always so cruel
What face would the NBA have without this cursed day? Boston would perhaps be above the 20 league titles… The post-Larry Bird might have gone smoothly… Michael Jordan might have had a serious rival all his career… This is what we would have could live without this terrible day of June 19, 1986.
The wait around Len Bias was huge at the time, comparable to that around LeBron James in 2003 or Zion Williamson in 2019. A player with monstrous athleticism, at the shoot “The purest ever seen” according to ESPN reporter Michael Wilbon.
Several journalists announce him as the best player in the history of the ACC tournament, and all observers are unanimous: he is a player who is not like the others. A sort of Kevin Durant before his time, slender and elegant, with the shoot from a rear as Monty Williams would estimate for example. In 1986, he came out of a season with 23.2 points and 7 rebounds on average in the NCAA.
Boston city as shocked as after JFK assassination
Another Sports Illustrated colleague, Jack McCallum, recounts this June 19, 1986 in an excellent paper.
“On June 19, 1986, at around 9:30 am, I got a call from John Papanek, an editor at Sports Illustrated”, he writes. “It was a Thursday, the start of the work week. So what about Len Bias, he asks me. I had just finished my first year on the NBA beat, so I started right away on my basketball knowledge: “Perfect choice for the Celtics, he’s too big and strong for most of the shooting wingers who will defend him, and too fast for the wingers. “Jack” John interrupts me: “Bias is dead.” “
The news is like an earthquake in the United States. At the time, the Internet did not exist, let alone social networks. Everyone hears the news at the same time. Tributes and reactions multiply. From President Ronald Reagan to his college opponent, Michael Jordan, to his “future” teammate, Larry Bird, everyone is in shock at the death of the former Maryland star winger. The legendary Celtics winger will even talk about “The cruelest story he has ever heard”.
“Since the death of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Boston had never experienced such a tragedy”, compared Red Auerbach bluntly. His funeral is exceptional, worthy of the greatest celebrities. On the Maryland campus, 11,000 students attend the funeral service.
A still strong impact on the current league
While this death remains one of the greatest sports tragedies in the United States, it will remain a key point in the fight against drugs and prevention for young athletes. The young players, just drafted, have been following an internship called “Rookie Transition Program” since 1986 during which the NBA explains to them the risks of fame, women, money and drugs, in particular cocaine, responsible for death. by Len Bias.
Humanly finally, this story deeply marked the journalists of the time. Everything was brought together to make a novel plot of it: the dimension of the player, the mythical franchise of the Celtics, death, drugs, the suddenness of the announcement (less than 40 hours after his Draft) and even the tragic sequel within of the family since Len’s little brother Jay was shot dead in 1990.
Jack McCallum delivers this anecdote: “During the 2011 Finals in Dallas, I had breakfast with Michael Wilbon, who was at the Washington Post at the time, before being now at ESPN. Then the death of Len Bias came into the conversation. He said to me: “Following Len Bias has been the most important story of my career with the Dream Team. ” I think the same. “
For all those who want to know more about this extraordinary destiny, a word of advice: watch ESPN’s excellent documentary, “Without Bias”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkrzUMJJX4U
(via BBall Channel)
