RIP Len & Red

[DivingCowens]

I hadn't noticed a thread about this, and I wanted to reiterate what I had posted in another thread.  With Len, these last 22 years would have surely been much, much different (and we would likely be up to the 20's in banners).  Red also would not have become instantly jaded about the state of NBA players.  I was lucky enough to meet him in 1992 at the All Star Game in Orlando, and the fact that he lived another 15 years has always amazed me.  I hope they both rest in peace now that the O'Brien is back where it belongs.

Apologies if this has already been posted, but just wanted to say it.

[dark_lord]

to assume bias would have be the next big thing, is falty, as know one truly knows.  he could have been a huge bust, for all any1 knows.  as with any drafted rookie, it is a risk.

i dont even consider bias to be a celtic.  he was a huge let down to the organization bc of poor decisions he made.

i say RIP to red, reggie, and dj....and all other of our true celtic brothers.

[Roy Hobbs]

I miss Red.

With Bias, I have very mixed feelings.  The guy had the potential to be a superstar.  It wasn't fate or bad luck that took that away, but instead his own actions.  I'm in no way saying he deserved what happened, but I never formed the same attachment I did to Bias that I did to Red, D.J., or Reggie, all of whom were Celtics greats who passed away recently.

It's the ultimate "might have been", though.  If Bias hadn't died, maybe that takes some strain off Bird and McHale, maybe lengthening their prime.  If we had been lucky enough to still draft Reggie, and he hadn't had his own tragedy, I think the landscape in the late 80s / early 90s could have looked quite different.

[Roy Hobbs]

Wow...  I think dark_lord and I tapped into the same brain signal on that one.

[Onslaught]

to assume bian would have be the next big thing, is falty, as know one truly knows.  he could have been a huge bust, for all any1 knows.  as with any drafted rookie, it is a risk.

i dont even consider bias to be a celtic.  he was a huge let down to the organization bc of poor decisions he made.

i say RIP to red, reggie, and dj....and all other of our true celtic brothers.

I'm with you on that one about Bias. And with the list of real Celtics you named.

[DivingCowens]

Sorry, but I think the Sith lord is perhaps showing age (or maybe the misspellings did it).  Point is, if you ever watched him, the kid knew how to lead, how to play, and how to win.  Of course nobody knows, but he was as much a "sure thing" as this league has ever seen. 

Apologies for not listing DJ & Reggie.  My point was more relating to the "curse" that many have called as relating to Len and how it effected Red.  DJ rests just fine with his rings and Reggie was a great Celtic.

[dark_lord]

Sorry, but I think the Sith lord is perhaps showing age (or maybe the misspellings did it).  Point is, if you ever watched him, the kid knew how to lead, how to play, and how to win.  Of course nobody knows, but he was as much a "sure thing" as this league has ever seen. 

people said the same thing about christian laetner, look how he turned out

please elaborate on the dig about my age.

[DivingCowens]

NP, let me elaborate and to be clear, I mean no offense:

To compare the way people thought of the NBA prospects of Bias vs. Laettner is laughable.  I do not remember many thinking Laettner would be a great NBA player.  He was a tweener and soft at that.  Len only went #2 because Daugherty was a lock for the Cavs as a C. 

Now, this doesn't show a great difference in age, maybe only a couple of years, but you don't sound like you watched any games with Bias and did see some of Laettner (who, btw, I think is a top 5 college player ever).  All I was getting at was that I was confident you never saw Bias in a game.  He was much more than the highlight reels that you can find on YouTube these days.  There were no reports of him being a regular drug user pre, or post-death.  A single terrible decision robbed the game, and the C's of someone who would was special.

Seriously, no offense at all.  Too much to be happy about right now

[eddietours]

well am 39 now l got to see some len games just awesome we could had easily won 3 more title him and bird

[Redz]

Bias was flat out dominant in college (and in the tourney).  He had a crazy skill set.  He was long and strong, he could dunk over you or pull up for a J.  Yes, he may have flopped, but it would have been a shocker and he was going to be in an amazing position to succeed with thwe C's vets coming off a title.

Stupid coke.

[Redz]

Lenny B's stats:

http://www.armchairgm.com/Len_Bias

It didn't break down his tournament stats but I seem to recall them being pretty gaudy.

[SShoreFan 2.0]

I knew a gentleman who reffed in the ACC for 20+ years.  He was there from the mid 70's through the mid 90's.  (He was in the chemical business for a real job)  One night during dinner someone asked him if Jordan was the best player he ever saw and he said "no, not even close."  To which I chimed in "Bias."

He looked at me and said "Yes, by far.  Len Bias (didn't say Lenny) did things in a game and to a game that he had never seen before or since."  His comments ruined my dinner.

[dark_lord]

NP, let me elaborate and to be clear, I mean no offense:

To compare the way people thought of the NBA prospects of Bias vs. Laettner is laughable.  I do not remember many thinking Laettner would be a great NBA player.  He was a tweener and soft at that.  Len only went #2 because Daugherty was a lock for the Cavs as a C. 

Now, this doesn't show a great difference in age, maybe only a couple of years, but you don't sound like you watched any games with Bias and did see some of Laettner (who, btw, I think is a top 5 college player ever).  All I was getting at was that I was confident you never saw Bias in a game.  He was much more than the highlight reels that you can find on YouTube these days.  There were no reports of him being a regular drug user pre, or post-death.  A single terrible decision robbed the game, and the C's of someone who would was special.

Seriously, no offense at all.  Too much to be happy about right now

no offense taken, thanks for elaborating.  i tend to ask for an elaboration b4 jumping to conclusions.  unfortunately for you, ur mistaken about my age and my history of watching bias.  we had every right to be optimistic about the kid. it looked like he had all the tools to ge great, but again, no one knows for sure. truth is, many of the scouting reports were very identical to michael jordans scouting reports, with regards to skill set. however, that doesnt mean squat, as bias would never step foot on the court.

regardless if he had a history of illicit substance use or not, he made a truly poor choice and demonstrated a significant lack of maturity.  that decision not only took his life, hurt a franchise that was prepared to invest alot in him.....but more importantly, he hurt his loved ones.

[SShoreFan 2.0]

Sorry, but I think the Sith lord is perhaps showing age (or maybe the misspellings did it).  Point is, if you ever watched him, the kid knew how to lead, how to play, and how to win.  Of course nobody knows, but he was as much a "sure thing" as this league has ever seen. 

people said the same thing about christian laetner, look how he turned out

please elaborate on the dig about my age.

I assumed the age comment stemmed from the lines in your face.   

[DivingCowens]

All good.  Just to be clear though, comparing Len to Christian Laettner is completely ridiculous.  Again, FANTASTIC college player, but never a shining light to the NBA.