How Good Would Len Bias Have Been? 

Great analysis! I think what really made Bias a huge “what-if” is his incredibly rapid progression as a player. He was getting better every season in college and by the time he was drafted he was still a very raw talent.

In fairness to Larry Johnson, he was much better prior to his back problems. It's actually a testament to LJ that he was talented enough to change his game after his injuries and become a successful perimeter player.

It's been 34 years and Bias still remains maybe the saddest story in sports history. Len R.I.P...

I remember exactly where I was when I heard the unbelievable news Bias had passed away. I was absolutely devastated. He was destined for absolute greatness in the same vein as MJ

Len would have shined in the association. His early years he would been mentored by Bird and McHale on how to win. He would have at least 2 or maybe 3 chips with them. Then in the 90's its Bias vs Jordan that's would've been fun to watch because Bias was special very special. 😓

Len Bias joining the Celtics in '86 was eerily similar to James Worthy joining the Lakers in '82. A championship team who, by virtue of great management, was able to secure an elite wing to add to an already stacked, potential dynasty team.

The league would have gone from Magic vs Bird to Jordan vs Bias. Their rivalry would’ve been legendary. Also the Celtics wouldn’t have fallen off in the 90’s as well

Bird was so confident in Bias, that he was going to give him the keys and leave the Celtics in 88

Len Bias is one of the greatest what-if stories alongside with Ben Wilson and Hank Gathers.

Len Bias came in at the beginning of the end of the Celtics run in 80s. Bird's injuries started in '87 as did Mchales in part due to their string of deep playoff runs since '81. The Celtics were wearing down even if they were still dangerous. So Bias would have added elite level talent and youth to a squad that needed both to continue their dominance. Boston played team basketball and could really pass the basketball so you know Bias would have gotten easier shots and would have learned how to pass much better himself even if that meant just finding the open man. I believe the Celtics would have continued their run for at least another 5 years.

Lowkey believe the nba would be better if guys came in at 21 or 22.

People also forget how great Reggie Lewis was. He gave Jordan more trouble than any 2-guard in the league. With a healthy Bias and Lewis and healthier McHale and Bird (playing fewer minutes) they win some championships instead of the Pistons and Bulls.

Would Bias have been one of the greatest ever?

I feel like if he made it to the nba he would have a good 16 year career with like 3 mvps 14 time all star 4 time champ and career averages of 26.6 points 8 reb 2 assists 1.5 blocks and 0.4 steals , truly a tragedy his career ended before it started rip Len

I feel so sorry for his family and friends, imagine a talented loved one dying, especially if it was unexpected

This is probably the best video I've seen on Len Bias. All facts here. Him getting drafted to the Celtics after they won championship was like Bulls drafting Iverson after 96 season, or Lakers drafting Blake Griffin or Steph Curry after 2009 season.

As a Freshman in college, you could see that he was going to be great. His life was cut short and would not be able to see how great he would have been.

"My favorite college basketball player of ALL TIMES!" Hands down VERY good comparison to Dominque WITH also a defensive mindset. Cocaine could have derailed his star😢 The guy was special

I’m 49 years old and still think Len Bias was the greatest college basketball player I’ve ever seen. Len Bias going to the Celtics would have extended Larry’s career. The Celtics would have RULED the 90’s (or at least been the rivalry the Bulls needed) if Reggie Lewis would have lived as well.

This was a brilliant and outstanding piece of work. I have been uttering these exact points about Len for 35 years. Len Bias and Hank Gathers were very special players.

As a Celtics fan I think he would’ve been top 10 greatest of all time. No doubt. My dad was so heart broken he died

It hurts after all these years to remember how excited I was to watch Len Bias--and then even more excitement for the NBA draft as a Celtics fan--and then the total heartbreak when the news hit the air.... :(

If he didn’t pass away, Bird would have more than 3 rings

How Good Would Len Bias Have Been? Answer: Everybody would have been calling high school Lebron as the next Len Bias.

I've been watching NBA youtube for a long-time now and I have to say you are one of the best I have seen up to this point. No BS just straight into the video into the basketball stats and information. Keep up the great work Jonny👍💪

Great RU-vid on Len, he was my favorite Basketball player of all time, also I grew up in Landover,Md like Len. I agree he would have been a very special player in the NBA because of his physique and basketball skills. His leaping ability was out of this world with his alley oops from Kieth Gatlin. I think if focus he would have been better than Jordan, because he was a bigger version of Jordan and had a better mid range shoot , before Jordan developed his in the mid 90’s. He was definitely a all time great and I still to this day haven’t seen someone play like him!!!!!

It’s impossible to say how Len Bias would have faired in the NBA. But at the very least he would have kept the Celtics relevant throughout the 90’s

Don't forget the lost reggie lewis in his prime in 1993 at the age of 27 and he was 6-7 long arms and a outstanding two way player and all-star reggie lewis Len bias they would have. gave..the bulls some problems in the 90es

Josh, I love that you do profiles on players that were good to great and have been forgotten by many fans. Here is my list: Buck Williams, Shawn Kemp, Michael Ray Richardson, Arvydas Sabonis, World B Free, Chris Webber, Chris Jackson aka Mamoud Abdul-Rauf, Chris Mullin.

The NBA would be so different

great take on what could've been such a sad death- i remember coming home from school that day & watching the Breaking News on TV - shed some tears

This video was really needed thanks!

Love this Johnny, great what if story. Maybe Bird would have won 1 or 2 more and Magic won 1 or 2 less? Idea; you mentioned at the end of the video cocaine affecting NBA player's careers, if you haven't yet, you should do a deep dive on Michael Ray Richardson. Best basketball channel on RU-vid.

This analysis is top notch. I love your insight

Dominique with superior defense is an excellent description. Was 17 when that happened and celts were my favorite team.

excellent analysis on one of my all time favs!!!

College careers: Jordan [3 years] = 17.7 ppg (.540 fg%), 5.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.7 spg, 0.7 bpg, 30.8 mpg Bias [4 years] = 16.4 ppg (.536 fg%), 5.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.7 bpg, 32.8 mpg North Carolina Tar Heels vs Maryland Terrapins on January 12, 1984: Bias = 24 pts, 4 rebs Jordan = 21 pts, 12 rebs (7 off), 2 blks, at least 4 stls Highlights of the game was uploaded by starks23 (stats provided in the description), which ended with Jordan's iconic cradle dunk at the buzzer. Both men played each other four times overall. The first two in '83, Bias wasn't a starter yet. The last one was on February 19th the next year where Jordan scored 25 and Bias had 18.

Bias and Reggie Lewis were suppose 2 hold the Celtics down during the 90’s. That was going 2 b r duo. R.I.P 2 both of them 👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿

Great video brother 🤜

One issue with this.. Bird was planning to retire when Len Bias stepped in as his replacement. He only stayed because of Bias' death. So You have to take into account it would have been a Birdless team with a rookie Len Bias playing with an experienced used-to-each-other Boston team.

This almost brought me to tears

Very well done!

Bias would have had the versatility to defend 2-4 in the NBA which at the time was very rare

How good was Derrick Coleman? Was he legit right up there with Malone and Barkley for best PF?

Jonny... Thank you, thank you , thank you for doing a video on the Greatest Player never to play in the NBA. I’m a Lakers Fan like yourself. I know very well had Len Bias not passed away, it would have been the Celtics and not the Lakers with 5 Rings in the 80’s. In the near future, please make a video for Hank Gathers as well. The LMU Lion would have made a large impact once in the NBA had it not been for his Heart issue.

Great video!!!!!

Great job again on this video. Can you do a Ben Wilson video next?

Thank you for this

GREAT VIDEO!!!!!!

Great video. I would even add he had a similar game to James Worthy. The Celtics would have won in 1987 with Bias providing solid defense and efficient scoring coming off the bench. Its the bench that killed the Celtics teams in 1987 and 1988.

Bird & McHale might have played a few more years due to having less wear & tear on their bodies from fewer mins. I watched Bias play in HS & at Md. That guy improved each year in college while growing into a true physical specimen with a near perfect jump shot. I remember exactly where I was & what I was doing when I learned of his death. That was all the office could talk about. Few HS & undergrad college players are physically & mentally prepared for the rigors of the NBA.

could've been one of the GOATs

Would've been one of the all time greats

Thank you for your videos 👍👍💢💥🔥💯

I remember at the Adidas Junior phenom camp the director telling the story of Len bias , so tragic how one moment can change everything

Bird would have more chips, especially head to head, than Magic if Bias had been able to play. I think they would have beat the Lakers in the finals in the 87-88 finals, a series that should have went 7 games even without Bias

Gret video! Bias would have definitely been the bridge between the Bird era and the 90's Celtics!

Len bias would of been a guy with these stats in he's prime seasons for sure...27ppg, 8rpg, 4ast, 2stls and about 1-2 blocks per game on 50% shooting

every point was spot on

this man was a monster

Very educated analysis. Just presented possibilities

Answer: He would have been an absolute BEAST in the NBA

I really like the logical breakdown.

Great video and spot on. This was such a tragic death and all due to one night of bad decisions. I agree the 87 Celtics with Bias win that series as Bias would give Boston exactly what it needed = young legs, quickness, athleticism, even more defense and another terrific scorer. Depending on what happened during the course of the 87 season ( If McHale does not break his foot) and If Parish did not get a severe ankle sprain and IF Walton had not hurt his feet Boston may even had a chance at a ring in 88?? Len Bias could have given the Boston front line a lot of rest and that is a scary thought.

Yes we have heard alot of stories about Len Bias I know I have Len Bias was my first boyfriend I knew Len very well but I must say this was a very good story about his basketball career at Maryland hopefully people will learn something from this when u have a problem of any kind please get help rest in peace Len 🦋🦋🌷🌷🌷❤❤😘😘

Yoo!! I just heard the trade about len bias is from seattle to boston. Imagine if that trade didnt happen it could have Bias,GP and Kemp and if sonics didnt trade pippen damn!!! 🔥

GREAT VIDEO.

I agree with everything. Awesome video. I don't think drugs would've been an issue for him on that vet led team. I think they would've gotten rid of that crap. I'm also gunna guess that playing with Bias would've been more fun than Bird is anticipating. I think he prob stays a year or 2 longer than he said. With that, I believe not only would they have won in '87, but more than likely also the next 2 years at least. Bias could've extended the older players careers by a year or 2, and saved them minutes in the reg season to be better in the playoffs.

One of the 'what ifs' involving Bias would have been the fate of the Celtics in the '90s. They were long past their peak years of the mid '80s and when the Bulls' championship window opened up in '91, Dennis Johnson was gone while Bird and McHale were approaching the end of their careers and Parish was getting a bit long in the tooth too. They'd have needed a lot more than just Bias to hang with the Bulls into the '90s, even if Bias had become a Jordan-level talent. And given the fact that few (if any) had reached Jordan's level in the 75-year history of the NBA, while possible, it's a stretch to think it would have been likely. Even Jordan himself wasn't expected to reach Jordan's level as he vastly exceeded the level he played at in college. MJ may have been expected to be an elite player but to be as good as he was, becoming a strong GOAT candidate? Those expectations are pretty unrealistic to put on any player. I kinda like your comparison to Dominique. Dominique with defense ain't a bad place to be at all. And now that I think of it, Dominique with defense is getting very close to Jordan territory. The only thing left to close the gap would be consistency and longevity, the ability to maintain that level year in and year out.

Bias & Lewis Celtics vs. Jordan & Pippen Bulls. What could have been.

My high school coach in 1997 & 98, told me he felt Bias would've been better than Michael Jordan possibly

Another way to look at it is to take a look at the number 2 picks for the next 10 years after Bias. Every single one of them had good (and long) NBA careers. He would have helped keep Bird and Mchale healthy. In all likeliness the Pistons never pass the Celtics. And the Jordan/Bad Boys rivalry becomes the Jordan vs Bias rivalry. He's the greatest "what if?" in NBA history.

You said what I was thinking throughout the whole video at the very end. Very tragic story but if he was already doing cocaine in college, it’s hard to imagine he would have lasted long and had the type of NBA career like Wilkins, Johnson and especially not Jordan

In a word, he would have been spectacular, he could jump outta the gym, he could shoot the jumper with uncanny efficiency, he would have been as good or better than MJ . He and his family lived about 5 minutes from my sister and her husband and son. Good dude met him at Garfinkle's which was an upscale Washington DC department store he was talking to a "10" she was stunning. Side note; his mom went on a crusade going around to high schools trying to educate kids about the dangers of COCAINE and other drugs, She suffered another crushing blow when Len's younger brother Jay was brutally murdered by a jealous thug in the parking lot of a Maryland Mall after an argument about a young lady.

He definitely would have been the standard at forward. I think he had more athletic ability than LeBron.

I don't think Bird would've retired in 88. Yeah, he said he would in that interview, but I think he'd have had so much fun playing with Bias, getting him the ball and such, that he would've stuck around at least as long as he did in our timeline, maybe longer. Remember, Bird never got a chance to properly rehab his back injury, but with Bias around, he would've. Maybe he takes a year off after winning three, but I can see him coming back in 89 or 90 like Jordan did in 95, coming off the bench to try and win a few more.

Len would been 10× all star, 7 x first defensive time,4 x Nba Myp,and 5x champion

I watched Bias play. Just missed getting on the court with him at a park in Temple Hills, MD. His game was smooth and powerful but his weakness was ballhandling. I think he would have needed a great guard to succeed at the highest level like Karl Malone or Kareem. Bias was not Magic or Bird. And of course the whole drugs scenario begs to question his mental fortitude. I love him though. He was the only player I idolized.

he was suppose to be Jordan true rival like LBJ v. Curry/KD, Kobe v. LBJ, Shaq v. TD, Bird v. Magic, KAJ vs. Doc, and Russell v. Chamberlain

PS, bias made mistakes with drugs like a lot of people did in the 80's but besides how great he was he always sounded humble and that's what I also liked about him! Him and Jordan were both cut from making there high schools teams in the beginning and they worked to become great!

I remember Len and I remember his game. He would prowl the backline- sideline to sideline. You had to guard him close because he had this little pet shot deep in the back corner that would have been a 3 later on , perfect for the NBA. He didn't really shoot much from the outside but he could nail it from there. Naturally if you followed him too close he would dart toward the basket , lose the defender and throw down an embarrassing dunk. That was his basic game. It allowed him great rebounding position too. He was explosive on the offensive glass. He also had a more active role where he would curl out from the baseline to a high elbow post. He could shoot it well enough from there but he normally put the ball down and drove to the basket. He would sometimes drive all the way through and finish with a nifty layup or a big dunk but usually he would pull up and leap into the stratosphere- just rediculously high in the air- and shoot the jumper. It's hard looking back on it to remember if the actual shot was good or not, all I remember is the air and waiting for him to land and join the rest of us back here on earth. It must have been pretty good, he scored a lot of points off it. Defensively he was quick and a great leaper. He would have been a great help defender in the NBA, coming off his man to block shots in the paint. He would have been sublime. He could fill the wing on a fast break when it happened. He didn't have great handles, but he could have worked on it and been effective in transition. He was a good defensive rebounder and a great finisher. I'm not sure who his best comp would be.. Dominique is the best physical match, maybe Rodman. It's harder to figure how his skillset would play out. I guess it would depend on his coach and system. Len didn't have a finished game, he was definitely still learning. It just makes the potential and the heartbreak even bigger. `

Glenn Robinson? Bernard King? Vince Carter? Those 3 come to mind as similars.

I am same age as Bias, he was my favorite player to watch, after his passing I would never consider cocaine, hopefully he had that effect on others too.

if i said once i’ll say it again WE LOVE YOU JONNY

Crazy how this showed me how underrated a Larry Johnson what if would’ve been instead

Bias!!! No Doubt Would've Been One Of Tge Great's ❤😢

Jonny, I've a got a suggestion for you, an 1960's-70's player. How good was Jerry Lucas, really.

Len bias would have been an amazing addition to the celtics. And being young and fresh comma he would have given extra life to the celtics who would have continued strong and really challenged the early nineties bulls

I have been an LA Lakers fan since 1965-66. If Len Bias had lived, the Lakers never would have won championships in 1987 & 1988; and the Celtics might have won four or five more championships. In watching other videos on this topic, I believe Len Bias' death changed the course of NBA history from 1986 - 1999.

Can we get a Tim Hardaway video next 🔥

Combo of Nique, Xman, Kemp, Mashburn, Larry Johnson, and McDyess(before his injuries).

Jordan was on another level mentally. There is no evidence that Bias was as competitive as Jordan. Bias didn't take his game seriously. The proof of that is he fooled around with drugs which is something Michael Jordan was exposed to early in his career however he chose to avoid them. Bias was promising but his reckless life off the court would have derailed his game eventually. His stay in the NBA would have been short. You can't do hard drugs and be a success at anything in life. Bias did himself a favour by dying before ever stepping foot on the professional basketball court. He saved himself from a lot of years of drug abuse and misery. He saved himself from being another player who retired from the game and ended up broke. No matter how you slice it Bias was heading for disaster. More money would have meant more problems for him. There was always going to be only one Michael Jordan.

Do a How good was Arvydas Sabonis Is

He could of been on a Hall of Fame level. His offense was incredible, I'd describe it as a mix of Karl Malone & Shawn Kemp. He had a great mid-long range jumper like Malone & could dunk on people like Kemp. The commentator said Bias was almost equal to MJ, tho that's a stretch. In these battles, on paper, Bias seemed almost equal, tho his team needed him to score or the game wouldn't of been competitive. MJ was more able to pick & choose when he wanted to score, and when he needed to, he delivered. What was the obvious separation was the defense MJ had. He seemed to bully players bigger than he was by swatting their shots or grabbing rebounds over them, plus always closing the passing lanes with steals or intercepting the ball like an NFL corner back. Bias, being a bigger player, was still as or more athletic than any guard during that time, which no one had seen until Shawn Kemp, tho Bias didn't need to use that thunderous power all the time. He was graceful too, no doubt would of been "King of the Alley-Oop." His jumper was also as smooth as Karl Malones, he might of been a better scorer than Malone had he lived. Which is a huge statement considering Malone was #2 in all-time points until LeBron passed everyone to be #1. LeBron would be Bias best comparison but only in physique & athleticism at that size. Bias didn't handle the ball like James, but look at that as a negative. If Bias would of had the defensive impact that MJ had, he would of truly been debated in the all-time greatness category. Tho the defense & and rebounding, he had was still good enough to be in that convo. MJ was just more aggressive, always a step ahead of anyone he faced, and even tho 4 inches shorter than Bias, was still able to disrupt his shot. To conclude, if Bias had gone to play pro ball, he would of been in the same circle with Olajuwon, Ewing, Malone, Barkley, as the greatest of their time and even high rank for all time. Tho the MJ debate ends the same with any player, no one has yet to match that greatness. Rest in Peace Len Bias, a basketball legend who would of truly made the game even better & funner to watch.

One the biggest what ifs

👀Len Bias kinda reminds me of a 80s lebron 😱 his offense defense rebounding on 👹 mode 😳

It was said, he could leap and pick quarters off the top of the backboard, he had that much elevation. But what always amazed me, as a player, his baseline jump shots. To me that is the toughest shot. No chance of the backboard helping you. Depth perception. Yet, he was just so fluid with it.

It's sad to think what he could have been... I grew up in ACC country.. He was the best I ever watched.

There is no question that Len would've been a great NBA player. My basis however was the "Dawn of Greatness" between the College stars of NC & MD. In all the games that they played against each other, what I saw (imho) was the potential greatness of the two. Then I kept on observing ( Tar Heels winning all the time with a competetive atmosphere throughout until the last 5 - 7 mins of 2nd half ) and what I concluded was this: Bias has his own special gift and incredible crucial shots and is 2" taller than MJ. MJ has his moves too. The main difference between the two, I believe becomes only apparent in the latter half of the 2nd Half. I saw Len slowing down like everyone else. What to me was awesome was MJ who had more mins of playing time than Len, was even MORE than the energizer bunny. The dude was still progressingly firing in all cylinders plus perhaps a turbo boost. Everyone became slow in running & attacking the rim, whereas MJ becomes The Flash and either slam dunking OR a mid-range monster! Actually, those moments are the times that NC cements their "W". Len just becomes one of 'em at the height of fatigue. Now, during MJ's NBA days, we all witnessed The KID grew up to become the super matured G.O.A.T. Basing it on the intense discipline, resilience and energizer-killer persona of MJ, with the track record, the history, and the unparalleled progression of MJ, I can strongly conclude that MJ is simply just ONE OF A KIND in the universe that even a Len Bias will not equalize, much more surpass.

He was built like Lebron