I'll go as far as to say the death of Bias cost the Celtics 3 rings. They beat LA in 87 and they don't lose to the Bad Boy Pistons with him
Adding Bias would've kept the 80s dynasty going and let them get more miles out of an aging Bird by lessening his minutes.
I agree. The injuries they sustained in 87 wouldn't have been so catastrophic if Bias was playing. Bias coming in would have let Bird rest and once Reggie came in, Bird and McHale could have gracefully bowed out leaving the team in great shape to have some epic battles in the early 90's.
I do remember Len Bias and my dad explaining to a 5 (almost 6) year old me that he had passed away and that's why the Celtics were sad. I started going to games the next year (dad had season tickets) and really got into basketball when a kid from Northeastern was drafted. I was in awe of him. I love Larry Bird but was in awe of Reggie Lewis.
With Reggie, I remember everything about that night vividly. At summer camp the next day our camp councilor let us cry and talk about him because he was one of us. Him going to Northeastern and doing so much for the community meant a lot. My mom taped the funeral so we could watch it when we got home that night. It sounds so dumb now but that is how much Reggie meant to all of us city kids.
