Tragedy struck twice for the Boston Celtics in the 1980s. Two players, destined to be NBA stars, were there, then gone.
If you’re anything like me and countless other NBA fans, one of your favorite off-season pastimes is engaging in the endless debate of what-ifs. As the NBA Finals fade into memory, summer league games unfold, and players shift teams, discussions often turn to the pivotal moments that shaped the league.
I often reflect on how different things could have been had key players remained healthy. Growing up, I was a huge Tracy McGrady fan, often consumed by the notion that if he could have just stayed on the court, he would have had one of the greatest careers in NBA history. Unfortunately, injuries have repeatedly cut short the careers of many superstar players, a cruel reality in sports. However, one what-if looms more significant than most: the tragic passings of Len Bias and Reggie Lewis.
Their deaths not only shifted the trajectories of multiple franchises but also profoundly impacted their legacies.
The Celtics Legacy
I’ve been a dedicated Celtics fan since I learned basketball rules, not by choice but through my late father, who grew up idolizing legends like John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish.
He often reminisced about the five NBA titles he celebrated with the Celtics in the 1970s and 80s, having witnessed the team’s glory years. I was fortunate enough to catch the Big Three’s championship run in 2008 and cheer on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as they endeavored to bring home another title.
Growing up, I never heard my dad speak fondly about the Celtics’ rosters from the 1990s and early 2000s. He often lamented Rick Pitino’s tenure, joking that he was “Satan reincarnated” and that the franchise’s misfortunes, including missing out on Tim Duncan. My dad, you see, relegated those years to relative obscurity.
It wasn’t until I was older that I grasped why the Celtics had struggled to maintain their success during that time.
Len Bias
Photo courtesy Celtics Life
Enter Len Bias, a 6’8” forward from the University of Maryland who dominated college basketball in the early 80s. Bias had the potential to be a superstar and was seen as a worthy adversary for Michael Jordan. Through Red Auerbach magic, the Celtics landed the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, a result of a trade involving Gerald Henderson—a name few remember but whose legacy would be intertwined with one of basketball’s most significant what-ifs. Coming off one of the greatest seasons in NBA history, the Celtics had the perfect opportunity to add Bias to their roster, which already boasted aging Hall of Famers. Auerbach saw in him the next great Celtic.
Tragically, just one night after being drafted by one of the greatest teams ever assembled, Len Bias died of a cocaine overdose, leading to cardiac arrest. The news sent shockwaves through the NBA, prompting new legislation to prevent similar tragedies. The heartbreak was palpable, not just for Celtics fans but for anyone who understood the potential that had been lost.
The Aftermath of Bias’s Death: The Celtics found themselves at a crossroads after Bias’s passing. They still reached the NBA Finals again, despite Kevin McHale battling injuries and the team struggling without the Sixth Man of the Year, Bill Walton. They faced the Los Angeles Lakers in a tightly contested series but ultimately fell short. With Larry Bird suffering from a debilitating back injury and the team aging, the loss of Bias became increasingly felt. As Bird and McHale’s careers wound down, the Celtics faced a new dilemma: how to rebuild their legacy.
Reggie Lewis
Photo courtesy The New York Times
Amidst uncertainty, Reggie Lewis emerged. Drafted 22nd overall in 1987, he was never expected to become a Celtics legend. Yet, Lewis quickly proved his worth, becoming an efficient scorer and a standout defender. He even earned the respect of Michael Jordan, who had difficulty scoring on Lewis, and Lewis was poised to be the Celtics’ next generational star.
Tragically, history repeats itself when Lewis collapses at the Celtics’ practice facility. Thankfully, he survives but is warned by doctors never to play again. Ignoring the warnings, Lewis seeks further opinions and is eventually cleared to play.
Unfortunately, he collapsed once more, and this time, his life was cut short.
The Legacy of Tragedy
It’s challenging to discuss these tragedies within the context of a sport, yet they remind us of the fragility of life. The memories of Bias and Lewis linger, and their families have worked hard to keep their legacies alive. As a Celtics fan, I can only wonder what could have been had these two remarkable talents graced the court together.
What if Bias had played alongside Bird and McHale? Would they have captured more titles? Would Lewis have flourished in an era defined by struggle? The Celtics could have been an unstoppable force, potentially dominating the late 80s and early 90s.
While we love to ponder the what-ifs, we must recognize that these two tragedies were not inevitable. Their premature deaths deprived fans of witnessing their extraordinary talents and stripped the Celtics of a shot at further glory.
Despite the franchise’s success, Bias and Lewis’s absence casts a long shadow. It reminds me of what might have been—a championship legacy that could have been further solidified. Today, as I visit TD Garden, I see Lewis’ jersey hanging in the rafters and Bias commemorated in the arena. Each glance prompts me to think, What-if?
