heart problems associated with cocaine use

American basketball was rocked by a tragedy when Michael Jordan’s great rival died at only 22 years old, only two days after being “drafted” by the Boston Celtics.

Len Bias’ career came to an abrupt end on June 19, 1986, just two days after he was “drafted” by the then NBA champion Boston Celtics.

Heart problems associated with cocaine use led to the death of Michael Jordan’s great rival

It was written about Len Bias that he was Michael Jordan’s great rivalbut died while celebrating being drafted by the 1986 NBA champion Boston Celtics.

Len Bias, Boston’s great hope and a budding NBA star, died on the second day of his professional career. On June 17, 1986, he was drafted by the NBA champion, and on the 19th, he died of a heart problem associated with cocaine use.

He was 22 years old and expected to mark an era and transfer to the NBA’s Eastern Conference the duels he already had with Michael Jordan in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of American colleges.

Boston Celtics from the 1985-1986 season confirmed that they are one of the most valuable teams in history, clearly defeating the Houston Rockets in the last act 4-2, after an incredible run of 11 wins and a single defeat in the Eastern Conference.

The team included Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge, and Bill Walton was ready to step on the floor at any time.

Red Auerbach, the owner of the franchise, wanted to rejuvenate the team and chose Len Bias. Unfortunately, however, he didn’t even get to train with the champion.

11,000 people attended Len Bias’ funeral

At Bias’ funeral, Auerbach was one of those who addressed the more than 11,000 people gathered in Maryland to say goodbye to the local idol, writes AS.

He said excitedly that he had worked for two years to get Bias and said the death was the worst blow to the city since the death of John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, born in Boston on May 29, 1917 and assassinated on November 22, 1963 in Dallas.

In June 1986, the prestigious publication Sports Illustrated dedicated the cover to him, titling: “Death of a dream”. It should be noted that Reebok had already offered him a sponsorship contract of 1.6 million dollars, valid for five years.

Back home after signing with the Boston Celtics, he met his friends on the University of Maryland campus. He used cocaine with several teammates, including his good friend Brian Tribble.

While talking to Terry Long, he fell off his feet. At 6:32 a.m. local time, he stopped breathing, and someone called the police. An hour and a half later, medical staff at Leland Memorial Hospital in Riverdale pronounced him dead from an arrhythmia associated with cocaine use. There were no other drugs or alcohol in his system.