'He said he'd be coming up to rookie camp' - Red Auerbach on how excited Larry Bird was about Len Bias joining the Celtics

Originally posted on Basketball Network
By Julian Eschenbach | Last updated Dec 25, 2024 8:52 AM ET

On June 17, 1986, the Boston Celtics, the reigning NBA champions, selected Len Bias as the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft at Madison Square Garden.

Although he was just 22 years old at the time, Bias had everyone on the team excited about his arrival. According to then-Celtics head coach Red Auerbach, that enthusiasm even reached the legendary Larry Bird.

"Larry Bird was so excited, he said he'd be coming up to rookie camp," Auerbach recalled after the Draft, per SJI.

The next basketball superstar?

As the name suggests, "rookie camp" is for NBA debutants only. The fact that a superstar like Bird, an eight-year veteran at the time, wanted to attend says a lot. Most rookies wouldn't have caught his attention, but Bias was far from ordinary.

The young forward from Maryland was already viewed by many as a serious contender to challenge the then-23-year-old Michael Jordan for the title of the best player of the year.

"He's (Bias) maybe the closest thing to Michael Jordan to come out in a long time," former Celtics scout Ed Badger said.

There were many reasons why the 6'8" forward made such a significant impact early in his basketball career. As a senior in college, Len had dominated his competition, averaging 23.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. With his spectacular dunks, impressive athleticism, and smooth jump shot, Bias, a two-time ACC Player of the Year, appeared ahead of his time.

Highlights of Len Bias in his final game 35 years ago today.

Must Watch. pic.twitter.com/NBVK2oGcAk
— Maryland Terrapins (@umterps) March 16, 2021

Bird and the C's desperately needed Bias

As for "Larry Legend," it's reasonable to think that personal motivations influenced his decision to attend the rookie camp. After all, Bird was 30 at the time, and he and his legendary Boston teammates—who had won three titles together—were feeling the toll of competing for a championship ring year after year.

Fresh, young legs, especially those of "Frosty," would have been a great boost to the aging Celtics roster. Larry welcoming the rookie with open arms could have eased the latter's transition, which, in turn, might have improved the team's chances for immediate success.

However, fate had other plans. Tragically, just two years after being drafted, Bias died from cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose following a night of partying at his old college in Maryland.

In the season following this tragedy, the C's, without their promising talent, still made it to the NBA Finals. However, after losing to their main rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, they struggled to return to that stage and gradually fell apart. It wasn't until 2008 that the Boston franchise finally won another championship title.

This article first appeared on Basketball Network and was syndicated with permission.

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