I've been watching college basketball since I was 8 years old and there will never be another len bias this guy had it all I remember the day he passed away and I couldn't believe it.Im so glad this footage is available for the younger fans who didn't see his games live God bless youtube
These old videos really are a treat for young niggas like me that didn't get to see him live. He died a month after I was born and I only heard about him through the old heads that watched him play in real time. They told me he was the business and now I see he really was!
I was at Virginia during this time, the absolute pinnacle of ACC basketball history. Worthy, Perkins, Sampson, Jordan, Dawkins, Price, and the name above them all: Len Bias. This is a wonderful tape, we need more of these full-game highlights of Lenny. There is simply no one like him. Combine the explosiveness of Wilkins, the mid-range touch of English and the low post agility of Olajuwon... and that's before he even mastered his handle or his 3. Incredible loss to basketball and the world.
And one other thing. People who poo-poo the idea that Bias was on Jordan's level either did not see him play, or do not understand that he had the weakest supporting cast in the ACC, or use absurd statistics (like Ed Weiland's absurd benchmarks, which show Jordan being a "Journeyman" prospect coming out of North Carolina www.basketball-reference.com/blog/indexf7b7.html?p=4011). Bias certainly had things to work on in his game, particularly his handle and his 3, but even in the absence of solid coaching, he had self-improved in 3 years like no one we have ever seen. Give him quality coaching support, a stronger supporting cast and a handle, and there was no ceiling on Len Bias. None whatsoever.
@@SapphicTwist , true, only people who actually seen Lenny play realize that he was on Jordan's level. To most people it's blasphemy to mention anyone in the same breath as Jordan. But those of us who saw Bias play knows better. If he wasn't on Jordan's level then Reebok would not have signed him to a multi million dollar contract to counter and compete with Michael's AirJordan's.
Do y'all realize how silly y'all sound ? Jordan averaged 37 points a game in what would've been Bias rookie season. Stop wit this horseshit cuz if we wanna play the hypothetical game Sweet Pea Daniels was rated higher than Lenny or Jordan was. From Howard Garfinkel own mouth, who was the founder of the 5 Star Camp, he said that Sweet Pea was the best player he saw dead,alive or not born yet.
One indication of a great shooter is that their shots go through the center of the hoop. Len had that accuracy as a shooter, and he could shoot from all over the floor. What a tragedy. R.I.P.
Hmmmm , comment of the year . Very astute William . Must say I agree 100%. Not knowing how old you are please look up Adrian Dantley aka the teacher . Best 6’5 and all around college and NBA player .
I was twenty six years old when Lynn bias died. I've been fortunate enough. To make it to 64 years old. The history of the NBA is totally changed. If bias hadn't died. He was that good.
His offensive skill-set was something to behold! He had a silky-smooth baseline jumper that was automatic; great body control underneath the basket; and his jaw-dropping athleticism allowed to get to his sweet spot. His only flaw was ball-handling. It wasn't that he couldn't do it, it was just that he never really had to do it. Overall, great, great transcendent player, who is definitely top-5 all-time in the ACC!
Larry Bird told Red Auerbach he was going to go rookie camp if he drafted Lenny. They schemed three years to move up in the draft to pick him. As a former Terp who saw him play for two years, it was memorable - as was the quality of basketball in the ACC. It was certainly as the SI Cover put it "The Death of a Dream."
His entire individual skill set was on full display in this game. To think, by this point, a 22 year old Len Bias could have still gotten better. I imagine, had drugs not become a real issue in his life, him going to a top level championship organization in Boston, to learn how to win and be a pro from Bird, McHale, Parrish, Dennis Johnson etc. he would have had every possible opportunity to fulfill his basketball potential. I don't think he would have been anything less than a perennial all-star and best case scenario, an all-time great that very well may have cut into Jordan's championship reign.
If LEN BIAS would have played for THE CELTS along with REGGIE LEWIS, They would have won 2 MORE Titles EASILY. And NO ! THE CHICAGO BULLS would NOT have 6 Titles nor HOUSTON with 2 rings.
That hard foul at the .25 mark--Lenny got the sh&^t beat out of him like that the entire season and he STILL averaged over 23ppg (with no 3 point line.) He was the ENTIRE Terp offense that season--was doubled teamed and pounded every night--what could have been had he stayed alive!!
Against a Duke team who was coming off a two-game losing streak against North Carolina and Georgia Tech after starting the season 16-0. Then Duke would rattle off 21 straight wins before losing to Louisville in the NCAA Final. I went to the University of Maryland for three years and saw Len play for his last two. Shock doesn't even describe how I felt when I first heard the news.
Such a shame he did not have a better supporting cast. The man was unstoppable. His baseline...so fluid. I mean......so few players have such a baseline jumper at all....his was just....smooth, no hesitation.
Lol when the announcer said "It's gonna be like that all night Leonard" regarding Duke trying to be physical with Bias with that push by Alarie. Alarie didn't fck with Bias the rest of the game. alarie didn't want any part of Len Bias.
Len Bias an Tupac Shakur in the 1990's, can U Imagine That ? i Am the 100th Up Vote Here on this Site an the 34th Comment on this Len Bias , April 02, 2020. Egypt PhoeniX
If Len Bias woulda pushed that white dude the same way he woulda been called a thug & bad for the sport but the white dude is called fiesty & hard nosed & leader! 🤦🏾♂️ SMH! Insecurities is a mother
He was a big man hard to compare against a guard that’s why Kareem and Jordan don’t get put in the same spotlight although they both dominated Jordan being the little guy gets more praise
He's got the power first step like Wilkins, not the Lightning quick first step like Jordan. He would have been an all star, but I don't know if he would be on Jordan's level!
DeeNice681 he would have been better than Jordan. He had a more complete skill set coming out of college and he was about to be under the tutelage of the smartest basketball player to ever walk the planet, Larry Bird.
Sure bias would have been on Jordan's level bias was a competitor If jordan scored 50 bias would have been right behind him with 45 or even matched him at 50. bias was up to the challenge.
I have to agree--much as I loved Lenny's game MJ was a shade better--better handle, passer, and a better overall defender. (MJ's still the greatest bball player I've ever seen!!)
@@nyterpfan I was 21 in 1986 and you are forgetting something, Bias died at 22 and he had not even peaked as a basketball player yet. Jordan was not the best version of himself at 22 and neither was Bias. We can't say with certainty that he would not have gotten better and developed his game. Everything I ever heard about him was he had a great work ethic and I feel he would have been better in the NBA than in college. 24 sec shot clock, no zones, three point line in the NBA.
Man everything Jordan could do he could... and he was 6'9... such a sad story... reminds me of a kobe mcgrady comparison where everything kobe could do tmac cud do and he was 6'8...6'9... problem was tmac cudnt stay healthy!... in that sense of what could have been!
my roommate went to Maryland and had a one night stand with Len her sophomore year. she told all her friends that Len was uncircumcised. It totally ruined him getting laid the rest of his college career! lol it was so funny
James Ho Are you talking about the jumper? Yeah. Bias shot with a conventional follow-through on free throws and in the paint, but the follow-through on his iconic mid-range jumper was unconventional. Instead of hitting the net with the customary backspin (see Bird, Jordan, Kobe, Durant, Curry etc), the ball coming off Bias' fingertips had very little backspin--hence the way the ball follows a parabolic trajectory through the net, not pausing before gravity sends it to the floor. Besides Bernard King, I can't think of anybody else who consistently shot jumpers this way, sort of like a Tony Parker floater, but from 18 feet....SO GORGEOUS. I think the way Bias' jumper floated through the nets accounts for a lot of the crazy fan support he still has. Nobody shot a jump shot like Len Bias...
They were different type of players. Bias played a more post up Big Forward game. He didn't need to be as fast but I do think he was just as explosive, but not in the way Jordan was because they played a differenet type of game.
I’m sorry... after watching this whole video I must say the Len bias was not anywhere close to being as good as Jordan. This guy couldn’t even dribble or pass. Half of the moves he did were basic average. And the guys were already shook because of his name so it seemed he did it without effort. Jordan ,lebron, Kobe... Thea dudes would had crushed this cat!!!
@@ventreese7695 nope.. you are!! They almost had the same game style. But Len couldn’t dripple as good as Jordan. And Jordan was more athletic which makes his style more exciting!!
I was 21 in 1986 and you are forgetting something, Bias died at 22 and he had not even peaked as a basketball player yet. Jordan was not the best version of himself at 22 and neither was Bias. We can't say with certainty that he would not have gotten better and developed his game. Everything I ever heard about him was he had a great work ethic and I feel he would have been better in the NBA than in college. 24 sec shot clock, no zones, three point line in the NBA.
Man his jumper was unstoppable. Sp athletic and great all around player. He would of been a star in the NBA
A HOF player for sure--(and the Celtics would have had 1-2 more championship rings!!)
Jay z an curtis Jackson got aids
@@macklane4127 me too, still living
Bias was a faster, quicker, stronger MJ, and with a better jump shot.
The body of Karl Malone, the explosiveness of a young Blake griffin, the shooting touch of Bernard King.
GREAT description--that was Lenny's overall game--power and touch!!
I've been watching college basketball since I was 8 years old and there will never be another len bias this guy had it all I remember the day he passed away and I couldn't believe it.Im so glad this footage is available for the younger fans who didn't see his games live God bless youtube
These old videos really are a treat for young niggas like me that didn't get to see him live. He died a month after I was born and I only heard about him through the old heads that watched him play in real time. They told me he was the business and now I see he really was!
U aren’t a young nigga old head you’re a grown man 🤣🤣
God damn homie
@@BrockLanders what?
I was at Virginia during this time, the absolute pinnacle of ACC basketball history. Worthy, Perkins, Sampson, Jordan, Dawkins, Price, and the name above them all: Len Bias. This is a wonderful tape, we need more of these full-game highlights of Lenny. There is simply no one like him. Combine the explosiveness of Wilkins, the mid-range touch of English and the low post agility of Olajuwon... and that's before he even mastered his handle or his 3. Incredible loss to basketball and the world.
Most definitely, I couldn't have said it better.
And one other thing. People who poo-poo the idea that Bias was on Jordan's level either did not see him play, or do not understand that he had the weakest supporting cast in the ACC, or use absurd statistics (like Ed Weiland's absurd benchmarks, which show Jordan being a "Journeyman" prospect coming out of North Carolina www.basketball-reference.com/blog/indexf7b7.html?p=4011). Bias certainly had things to work on in his game, particularly his handle and his 3, but even in the absence of solid coaching, he had self-improved in 3 years like no one we have ever seen. Give him quality coaching support, a stronger supporting cast and a handle, and there was no ceiling on Len Bias. None whatsoever.
@@SapphicTwist , true, only people who actually seen Lenny play realize that he was on Jordan's level. To most people it's blasphemy to mention anyone in the same breath as Jordan. But those of us who saw Bias play knows better. If he wasn't on Jordan's level then Reebok would not have signed him to a multi million dollar contract to counter and compete with Michael's AirJordan's.
Do y'all realize how silly y'all sound ? Jordan averaged 37 points a game in what would've been Bias rookie season. Stop wit this horseshit cuz if we wanna play the hypothetical game Sweet Pea Daniels was rated higher than Lenny or Jordan was. From Howard Garfinkel own mouth, who was the founder of the 5 Star Camp, he said that Sweet Pea was the best player he saw dead,alive or not born yet.
@@elbowgang9715 Never saw Sweet Pea's jumper, so I can't speak to that. ;)
One indication of a great shooter is that their shots go through the center of the hoop. Len had that accuracy as a shooter, and he could shoot from all over the floor. What a tragedy. R.I.P.
Bingo..lfew of his shots rattled...they just went pure in.....a true shooter...from anywhere
Hmmmm , comment of the year . Very astute William . Must say I agree 100%. Not knowing how old you are please look up Adrian Dantley aka the teacher . Best 6’5 and all around college and NBA player .
One of the best jumpers ive seen.. It was a pure stroke
Just fluid, no hesitation.
Jumper plus his athleticism. He had all tools to be an All-time great NBA player. Imagine those Jordan vs Bias playoff matchups.
Lynn bias was just a stud just an all-world athlete it is just so sad him passing away.... he made one fatal mistake that cost him his life
Len*
Bias*
Len Bias was basically unstoppable killer jumper from anywhere power,finesse explosive could jump out of the gym.
I was twenty six years old when Lynn bias died. I've been fortunate enough. To make it to 64 years old. The history of the NBA is totally changed. If bias hadn't died. He was that good.
He had the PERFECT jumper!!
His offensive skill-set was something to behold! He had a silky-smooth baseline jumper that was automatic; great body control underneath the basket; and his jaw-dropping athleticism allowed to get to his sweet spot.
His only flaw was ball-handling. It wasn't that he couldn't do it, it was just that he never really had to do it.
Overall, great, great transcendent player, who is definitely top-5 all-time in the ACC!
The Brother was a MONSTER........Larry Bird cried at his funeral.......that says a lot!!!!!!!
Larry Bird told Red Auerbach he was going to go rookie camp if he drafted Lenny. They schemed three years to move up in the draft to pick him. As a former Terp who saw him play for two years, it was memorable - as was the quality of basketball in the ACC. It was certainly as the SI Cover put it "The Death of a Dream."
@Buck Browning I would concur.
@Buck Browning I went to school there for three years.
41 points with no threes. You gotta be a horse to get that, especially on the road and at a top opponent's homecourt.
Bias was going to be next great Celtic, his death really ended Celtic dynasty from 57 to 86. RIP , Boston fan
I was a Duke fan but a Len Bias fanatic
Incredibly smooth jumper! Very impressive for a big man. Perfect form!!
His entire individual skill set was on full display in this game. To think, by this point, a 22 year old Len Bias could have still gotten better. I imagine, had drugs not become a real issue in his life, him going to a top level championship organization in Boston, to learn how to win and be a pro from Bird, McHale, Parrish, Dennis Johnson etc. he would have had every possible opportunity to fulfill his basketball potential. I don't think he would have been anything less than a perennial all-star and best case scenario, an all-time great that very well may have cut into Jordan's championship reign.
Rest in peace len.
If LEN BIAS would have played for THE CELTS along with REGGIE LEWIS, They would have won 2 MORE Titles EASILY. And NO ! THE CHICAGO BULLS would NOT have 6 Titles nor HOUSTON with 2 rings.
False.
Lol
Folks call me crazy for saying what you just said!!! Glad I'm not alone... 👍🏀
Bullshit
@@gl6996 Jordan in 91 would've still won
Bias putting on a clinic against Duke. 41 points Bias. 27 from the other players combined
Rest In Peace Len. Was a private to watch you play.
Rest In Peace Hank Gathers
Rest In Peace Len Bias
Rest In Peace Reggie Lewis
Pure brilliance 😮
Really sad watching this because seeing this talent if he would’ve lived, he would’ve been a super super star in the nba .
That hard foul at the .25 mark--Lenny got the sh&^t beat out of him like that the entire season and he STILL averaged over 23ppg (with no 3 point line.) He was the ENTIRE Terp offense that season--was doubled teamed and pounded every night--what could have been had he stayed alive!!
Against a Duke team who was coming off a two-game losing streak against North Carolina and Georgia Tech after starting the season 16-0. Then Duke would rattle off 21 straight wins before losing to Louisville in the NCAA Final.
I went to the University of Maryland for three years and saw Len play for his last two. Shock doesn't even describe how I felt when I first heard the news.
I've said it before. This guy could have been another Dominique Wilkins or James Worthy.
I’ve never saw these Maryland jerseys in my life
Yeah he was nice. I remember watching him play. I I always said he reminds me of Michael Jordan" With respect!
Jordan minus the ballhandling skillset
Such a shame he did not have a better supporting cast. The man was unstoppable. His baseline...so fluid. I mean......so few players have such a baseline jumper at all....his was just....smooth, no hesitation.
Bias would've destroyed LeBum James
😂😂😂😂
More like mj
You silly.
I loved his aleiloops dunks
To you young guys watch all of his highlight reels along with my man rasheed wallace 2 ACC players who played with fire and emotion each night.
I'm telling you if this man would have played in the NBA Jordan and Pippen would of had there hands full. Lenny Bias was the next over and out
Lol when the announcer said "It's gonna be like that all night Leonard" regarding Duke trying to be physical with Bias with that push by Alarie. Alarie didn't fck with Bias the rest of the game. alarie didn't want any part of Len Bias.
Duke players have been punks for a long time. Alarie straight up shoved him.
We should be at 20 championships with him
L.B. Was the best 🤴🏾
His migration game would have been lethal in the NBA!
that sweet 🌈 jumper
Len Bias should've gone to Georgetown because he'd a won a National Championship with Patrick Ewing if he did!
Len BIAS Legend #34
A true prototype.
I feel Boston wins a couple more titles with Len Bias. Oh what could have been
0:40 It's BS like that which is the main reason People dislike PUKE UNIVERSITY 😐
Sold his soul.
Len Bias an Tupac Shakur in the 1990's, can U Imagine That ?
i Am the 100th Up Vote Here on this Site an the 34th Comment on this Len Bias , April 02, 2020. Egypt PhoeniX
Imagine how much fun it would've been to see Bias and Charles Barkley go at it in Sixers-Celtics games. Gone much too soon.
Could’ve seen a rivalry between him and mj and Len would give mj a real run to the finals
If Len Bias woulda pushed that white dude the same way he woulda been called a thug & bad for the sport but the white dude is called fiesty & hard nosed & leader! 🤦🏾♂️ SMH! Insecurities is a mother
How did Johnny Dawkins get College Basketball player of the year over the ACC Basketball player of the year Len Bias?
@Buck Browning A FRIGGIN MEN!!
Bias was uncircumcised just like you
He was a big man hard to compare against a guard that’s why Kareem and Jordan don’t get put in the same spotlight although they both dominated Jordan being the little guy gets more praise
6 foot 6 Is Actually Mid Size For Basketball
with no 3 point line.
Len Bias was the GOAT
Dirty Duke😡🤬
Len Bias would of beat mickol
He's got the power first step like Wilkins, not the Lightning quick first step like Jordan. He would have been an all star, but I don't know if he would be on Jordan's level!
DeeNice681 he would have been better than Jordan. He had a more complete skill set coming out of college and he was about to be under the tutelage of the smartest basketball player to ever walk the planet, Larry Bird.
Sure bias would have been on Jordan's level bias was a competitor If jordan scored 50 bias would have been right behind him with 45 or even matched him at 50. bias was up to the challenge.
Like that other #34 out of auburn. #FLEER
I have to agree--much as I loved Lenny's game MJ was a shade better--better handle, passer, and a better overall defender. (MJ's still the greatest bball player I've ever seen!!)
@@nyterpfan I was 21 in 1986 and you are forgetting something, Bias died at 22 and he had not even peaked as a basketball player yet. Jordan was not the best version of himself at 22 and neither was Bias. We can't say with certainty that he would not have gotten better and developed his game. Everything I ever heard about him was he had a great work ethic and I feel he would have been better in the NBA than in college. 24 sec shot clock, no zones, three point line in the NBA.
@SquadDawkins
No carmon crazies wow in 86 what a dead crowd
AIR BIAS FOREVER.
You wish Air Jordan Rules!
Nowhere near the playmaker or ball handler Jordan was but yeah the kid looked legit.
Just because he wasn’t required to do it in Maryland’s offense doesn’t mean he couldn’t do it.
If you score half the points, and still lose by double digits, maybe they needed a team effort.
Man everything Jordan could do he could... and he was 6'9... such a sad story... reminds me of a kobe mcgrady comparison where everything kobe could do tmac cud do and he was 6'8...6'9... problem was tmac cudnt stay healthy!... in that sense of what could have been!
my roommate went to Maryland and had a one night stand with Len her sophomore year. she told all her friends that Len was uncircumcised. It totally ruined him getting laid the rest of his college career! lol it was so funny
This foo Jordan x23 damm Celtics would have won 3-4 championships with him
4:15
James Ho Are you talking about the jumper? Yeah. Bias shot with a conventional follow-through on free throws and in the paint, but the follow-through on his iconic mid-range jumper was unconventional. Instead of hitting the net with the customary backspin (see Bird, Jordan, Kobe, Durant, Curry etc), the ball coming off Bias' fingertips had very little backspin--hence the way the ball follows a parabolic trajectory through the net, not pausing before gravity sends it to the floor. Besides Bernard King, I can't think of anybody else who consistently shot jumpers this way, sort of like a Tony Parker floater, but from 18 feet....SO GORGEOUS. I think the way Bias' jumper floated through the nets accounts for a lot of the crazy fan support he still has. Nobody shot a jump shot like Len Bias...
jordan is simply lucky
Mj faces len in college games...and mj beat him...6'6 mj vs 6'8 bias was a great spectacle
Jordan already defeated Bias in college
@@courtneywhite6036 jordan beat bias because he has better teammates
I think Micheal Jordan idled bias a lil bit in movement.perfect size best jump shot ever.i see an average of 45ppg in NBA
They both respected each other they were great friends
Honestly, he was nowhere near MJ. MJ was much more explosive, much faster.
They were different type of players. Bias played a more post up Big Forward game. He didn't need to be as fast but I do think he was just as explosive, but not in the way Jordan was because they played a differenet type of game.
I’m sorry... after watching this whole video I must say the Len bias was not anywhere close to being as good as Jordan. This guy couldn’t even dribble or pass. Half of the moves he did were basic average. And the guys were already shook because of his name so it seemed he did it without effort. Jordan ,lebron, Kobe... Thea dudes would had crushed this cat!!!
You are a Fool!!!
@@ventreese7695 nope.. you are!! They almost had the same game style. But Len couldn’t dripple as good as Jordan. And Jordan was more athletic which makes his style more exciting!!
I was 21 in 1986 and you are forgetting something, Bias died at 22 and he had not even peaked as a basketball player yet. Jordan was not the best version of himself at 22 and neither was Bias. We can't say with certainty that he would not have gotten better and developed his game. Everything I ever heard about him was he had a great work ethic and I feel he would have been better in the NBA than in college. 24 sec shot clock, no zones, three point line in the NBA.
Dinosaur jayson Tatum