While I am not particularly a basketball fan, I was interested in seeing this documentary. Part of it might be because I graduated with Len Bias at the University of Maryland (though so did MANY more) and he attended the same high school as my father. Or, part of it is because his story is so tragically stupid. Either way, it turned out to be a compelling film from ESPN and the "30 For 30" series.
The first portion of the film is about the amazing college career for Bias. Interviewee after interviewee talked about what an amazing and complete prospect he was and how he was expected to be a major NBA star. However, the film changes abruptly when you learn that only two days after being drafted #2 by the Boston Celtics he was dead--dead from a drug overdose. The steps leading to the death were quite detailed--with interviews from some of those with him when they were using cocaine the night he died as well as some touching accounts from his family. Finally, the fallout of the death is the final portion--as heads rolled in a rush to find someone (other than Bias) to blame and to create tougher drug laws. Sadly several years after Len's death, his brother (another hot basketball prospect) was shot and killed. Again, what a waste.
The first portion of the film is about the amazing college career for Bias. Interviewee after interviewee talked about what an amazing and complete prospect he was and how he was expected to be a major NBA star. However, the film changes abruptly when you learn that only two days after being drafted #2 by the Boston Celtics he was dead--dead from a drug overdose. The steps leading to the death were quite detailed--with interviews from some of those with him when they were using cocaine the night he died as well as some touching accounts from his family. Finally, the fallout of the death is the final portion--as heads rolled in a rush to find someone (other than Bias) to blame and to create tougher drug laws. Sadly several years after Len's death, his brother (another hot basketball prospect) was shot and killed. Again, what a waste.