How Len Bias’ Tragic Death Left a Lasting Impact on John Salley | The Rich Eisen Show

Salley reflects on the what-could-have-been life of Len Bias and reveals that the promising young star’s tragic death kept him from ever trying cocaine.
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#RichEisenShow #NBA #LenBias

[@greekdatageek]

Len Bias' mom spoke at our school a few years after he died. She was an incredibly powerful speaker.

[@treefiddy209]

Without Bias is one the best/saddest sports documentaries I've watched. Dude had all the potential in the world, just made one mistake. RIP Len

[@RobertDGordon]

I was 15 when Len Bias died, and I have to say that it was basically the end of my innocence. I was born and raised in Baltimore and Len was larger than life to many of us. I totally understand where John Salley is coming from. I was so stunned by Len’s passing that it was a big reason why, to this day, I’ve never used any illegal substances.

[@waynetables6414]

powerful segment. RIP Len Bias and Reggie Lewis

[@daledan-irabor3018]

Magic had Bird. Jordan was supposed to have Len Bias! That Bulls vs Celtics rivalry would’ve been something!

[@craigprice1598]

most definitely

[@jmad627]

Sure would’ve.

[@Latifi5]

Len Bias was Michael Jordan with LeBron's physique. A brilliant star with unlimited potential. May he rest in peace.

[@RedRocket415]

John Salley! You could make hosting a talk show yet another career

[@scottwilliams7758]

He had his own show once

[@GL_FAB]

@@scottwilliams7758 yup BET back in the day

[@craigprice1598]

Jay Bilas said that great players would look at Lenny and be in awe. That's the ultimate compliment.

[@chiefgangmusic]

Of course the immediate reaction upon learning the Len Bias story is of sadness but then when you realize that, in death, he’s saved thousands if not millions of lives. That’s crazy. His life stopped but his greatness continued and even in a more profound way!

[@thedefinitionisthis]

Definitely *the* "What If...?" NBA story....

[@Hard_7_Iron]

The stories John Salley can tell….. wow, I could listen for hours.

[@mattmeagher365]

If Len Bias hadn’t died, we might be talking about him as the GOAT.

[@werquantum]

Salley’s a good host. Easy. Good way about him. Good stories.

[@edfewchas3255]

Len Bias wasn't going to "save the Celtics" --- he was joining the '86 Celtics -- the GOAT team. Lenny was "The next 10 years" and Larry's chronic back issues from all the rough minutes rebounding wouldn't have been so career-ending. How great do you think Larry's passing would have made Len Bias? RIP Lenny.

[@vegastud2001]

Could you imagine Larry with the passes to Bias. I cried the day I found out Lenny passed. I'll never forget UNC's 1st loss at the Dean Dome. To this day I get sad thinking of the days after the NBA draft 1986.

[@deathtoideologues]

Would've been the greatest highlights of all time including today.

[@lotuslife3239]

Larry Bird would have finished his career with 6 championships by 1990 and would retire earlier than what actually happened. Len Bias and Michael Jordan would have been competing for 6 to match Bird with Len having 3 already, kinda like how it was with Kobe and TMac. Except Bias was a more athletic TMac who was more developed offensively by the end of college compares to McGrady.

[@lutherfox5744]

Len playing for Boston and prime Arvydas Sabonis suiting up for Atlanta/Portland would've changed the complexion of the NBA during that time.

[@bigbearlifememories]

Stay away from Coke it could be anything these days example fentanyl 😦

[@broaddusmarines]

Len Bias is the biggest “what if” in NBA history. I honestly don’t think the Bulls win six titles if Len Bias does not pass away. The 90s NBA is a lot more interesting if Len Bias and Reggie Lewis are alive. Instead, the 90s was basically Michael Jordan’s personal punching bag, which honestly got boring to me. By the way, even though I love Salley, he needs to stop about Roy Hinson. Philadelphia totally blew it by trading the #1 pick for him (and Jeff Ruland). That was the trade that ruined the 76ers for a decade and ruined Barkley’s years in Philadelphia after Dr. J retired. That was a terrible front office decision. Also, Cornbread was long gone by the time Len Bias was drafted.

[@danielstack4158]

Barkley with Brad Daugherty would have been an interesting frontcourt. Brad had a few good years before his career was cut short by injuries.

[@Asshat237]

Larry said HE WANTED to give up minutes because of how beat up he was.

[@uzi978]

I was 13 when Bias died, and it scared me from ever doing Cocaine. Weed, Ecstasy, Mushrooms, but no Coke, Heroin, or Meth. Thanks, Len!

[@englishwillable]

Very insightful. The whole greater DC area went quiet that day

[@leodrosia4369]

I think Celtics get at least 2 more rings with bias , boston fan ...bias would've saved bird, mchales legs

[@dayvinnyil8232]

Fav day of watching this show thank you John Salley ! Keep it real.

[@lewismooney3941]

Very cool and sad!

[@briandavidson1946]

Misinformed info here Larry quote: "If Len had played for Celtics he was going to retire earlier than he did." True. Research the facts. And I wasn't a Bird guy. Good grief.

[@mattslev]

The night Len Bias OD’d wasn’t the first time he used cocaine. He was already a heavy binge user according to close friends. Those who were with him that night said he had a seizure at one point before he OD’d yet continued to do more coke, and they couldn’t get him to stop.

[@makkos2870]

he autopsy established that Bias had a large, strong heart and was in excellent shape. His mucous membranes were clear, indicating that he was probably not a veteran snorter of cocaine.

[@Grief_Weasel]

Not true, I was 21 when Lenny passed and I remember very well the Coroner said there was no scarring of the heart which happens with regular users over time. I have never heard anyone who knew Lenny, even Brian Tribble discribe Lenny as a binge user.

[@arronfrazier7873]

You straight up lied! The autopsy and drug screen didn't show a history of constant use of cocaine! Also, you can be 15, 21, 31 and etc, you take 100% pure cocaine for the 1st time, your going to have a issue.

[@lotuslife3239]

It was definitely a setup

[@darrylnelson05]

People have short memories. Cleveland Browns safety Don Rogers died 8 days later of the exact same thing.

[@terrancecook4700]

Thank you John Salley for talking bout my hero

[@westcoasthype619]

TJ was 12 when Len bias died man he is way older than I thought

[@genius179]

Yeah I think because TJ is close to Ashton Kutcher, I thought he was closer to his age

[@brothersar5957]

If Len Bias had a chance to play for the C's then maybe Michael Jordon doesn't go 6-0 in the playoffs (sorry Skip Bayless)

[@jeromemaida4933]

Jordan didn't go 6-0 in the playoffs. He went 6-0 in the Finals. Big difference.

[@brothersar5957]

@@jeromemaida4933 My mistake but that's what I meant.

[@jojopuppyfish]

3:13 Funny that he says that, cause for me, John Belushi's death was a big reason I never did drugs.

[@arlichar11]

how the heck did boston have the 2nd pick in draft in 86? they would have been rediculous stacked

[@allen35315]

From the internet: The Boston Celtics lucked into the second pick of the 1986 draft by dealing Gerald Henderson to the Seattle SuperSonics back in 1984. Bias was to be an athletic force added to the Celtics, who were coming off a 67-15 season and a championship. Bird. Parish. McHale. DJ. Bias.

[@MrBryan247]

I'm bias!! I had a pair of his black Reebok kicks @ Loyola

[@grandmasterc6130]

Larry said he would’ve retired once Len came in

[@AidanHolland]

Potentially would have been bigger in boston than tom brady in terms of achievement.

[@demetriuswilliams3671]

I think he would be a high minute 6th man

[@craigprice1598]

Wow, he said supposedly died of a cocaine overdose.

[@robertburns2223]

Lakers magic took care of that.

[@timewithoutconsequence4611]

How “dope” Len Bias was. 🤔

[@freddyb6105]

I was 15 when he died.. no one in my circle touched coke after that

[@arlichar11]

it is true though. his story made me never want try it, but noone ever offered or had any either lol

[@sbode01]

Rich eisen

[@chadberles2056]

Celtics dynasty Never would have ended had he lived

[@citythink]

Bias’ last words were “I can handle it.” In the 80s high school I saw dribbling coach Greg White at a couple summer camps and he did this big talk where he put an inflating needle in it and started by bouncing it really high… he was talking about bias and how good he was, would have been. It was an effective talk and kept me away from drugs in those peer pressure years. I found them later when I could actually handle them experimentally with trustworthy friends. Never anything hard like pure cocaine mind you. Bias is such a huge question of “what might have been.”

[@briandavidson1946]

HOPE u stop the drugs.

[@rayj.9568]

Strange incomprehensible story.

[@ros73dros]

Uh what about that it is illegal?

[@ubon11]

I don’t consider a drug related death as “tragic”. I consider it dumb. Don’t put poison in your body, especially if you were gifted height and athletic ability that 99.999% of the population doesn’t have.

[@josephtitobrunsonjr7427]

Lenny Bias is LeBron James

[@everettenglish5297]

MJ WOULD HAVE NEVER WON 6 RINGS IF LEN BIAS DIDNT DIE> MAYBE 3