Soul of the Golden State

Chapter 24 The Untimely Death

In the early morning of June 6, overwhelming reports swept in, and major media reported the sad news one after another.

In 1986, Len Bias, the second pick in the first round of the NBA, died suddenly of a cocaine overdose in the dormitory of the University of Maryland at 6:30 a.m. that day.

Roommates Terry and David first found Bias twitching on the ground, and then 20 minutes later, Bias was rushed to the hospital by an ambulance, and his heart had stopped beating.

After two hours of trying their best to rescue him, the hospital failed to revive this tall and strong young life.

With the passage of time, various media reports continuously disclosed the details of the incident, especially the first interview with Cardinal Auerbach who selected Baias.

This nearly seventy-year-old coach with the most prestige in the entire NBA expressed his despair in a trembling voice: "This is the kind of thing that you know that everything happened, but you still don't want to admit it..."

Whenever later generations of senior fans mentioned Baias, they would have a vague impression that he was a talented and promising player, but because of his own indiscretion and random squandering of talent, he died suddenly.

But in fact, Baias has never been a thorn in the side. On the contrary, his off-court reputation is very good, and this cocaine smoking is likely to be the first time.

His mentor, University of Maryland basketball corner Delissel told Auerbach: "I swear with my life, this kid has never been exposed to drugs before."

His high school coach Wagner also said that Bias is the kind of person who will not be contaminated with drugs.

However, no matter how many people prove to Baias, it cannot change the fact that Baias died of cocaine.

The death of Bias had a huge impact on the family of Baias, and the Celtics were the hardest hit. It can almost be said that the death of Baias was an important turning point, and it was the transformation of the Celtics from prosperity to prosperity. It is a sign of decline, and it is also a harbinger of the end of the reign of the black and white duo.

Although it is a bit exaggerated to say this, I am afraid no one would believe it when I told it to the people at the time, because the Celtics just won this year's championship this season.

But their imminent alternation between the old and the new is ruined. As this generation of star players ages, the Celtics will also enter a dark period of more than 20 years. Now with the butterfly effect of Frank and Li Weisi, the dark period may will be longer.

Four days later, Len Byas's memorial service was held at the University of Maryland, and 4 people attended the venue. "Cardinal" Auerbach also expressed his deep condolences.

Even on June 6, the Celtics made an exception and held a jersey retirement ceremony for Bias. Auerbach personally handed the No. 30 jersey to Bias' mother.

Not only that, a few weeks later, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Len Bias Act", which was signed by then-President Reagan on October 10 of that year.The bill declares that those who distribute drugs to others and cause the death of that person will face life in prison.

The death of a basketball player promoted the birth of an anti-drug bill, and made people really start to pay attention to the drug issue. This can be regarded as his last contribution to the world, right?However, there is indeed enough irony.

When Li Weisi learned of Baias' death, it was already after he returned to San Francisco.

After graduating now, Li Weisi could only go back home to live with his family, but he didn't expect Candice to look at him with a strange look as soon as he returned home.

"What's wrong? Is there any problem?" Li Weisi was a little puzzled.

"West, are you in a relationship?" Candice asked curiously, blinking her big watery eyes.

"What nonsense are you talking about, of course I don't."

"And, I don't believe it!" Candice rolled down from the sofa, pointed to the phone next to the sofa in the living room, and said, "Do you know? Ten minutes ago, a beautiful girl called home, Say thank you for your help, it’s the first time I’ve seen a girl thank you when I’ve grown up so much.”

Li Weisi pulled the suitcase, did not intend to stop, and said as he walked, "First of all, how did you know that the other party was a beautiful girl through the phone? Secondly, it may have been six or seven years since you can remember. How did you Do you know that no girls have thanked me before you can remember?"

Being bullied by her brother, Candice was not angry at all, she had a feeling that she was used to it, she rubbed her chin with her hand, and said to herself: "It's not right, it's very wrong, you are so serious about picking me up , if you put it in normal times, you will definitely choose to ignore it, I smell the smell of love."

Li Weisi rolled his eyes at Candice and said, "Do you know what love is?"

After hearing this, Candice puffed up her small chest and said proudly: "Of course, I am often confessed by the boys in my class. I am not like some people who didn't have a girlfriend until they graduated from college."

"Come on! As I said earlier, I am a genius who is destined to leave a name in the history of basketball. How can I spend my limited time on women? This will not only waste my time, but also consume my body and increase The risk of me getting hurt, it's murder for my career!"

After speaking, Li Weisi had already gone up to the second floor. After shouting the last word, he closed the bedroom door.

Candice put her hand on her forehead, and said to herself again with a sad face: "Such a freak is actually my brother. What did I do wrong that God wants to punish me like this?"

After neatly storing and putting away the clothes he brought, Li Weisi wiped the sweat from his forehead and subconsciously picked up the basketball.

However, the moment he picked it up, Li Weisi paused, and then put the basketball back on the spot.

He quietly went down to the second floor, and found that Candice was not watching TV in the living room at this time, so he looked at the backyard, and there was no one, did he go back to the bedroom?Then he sneaked over to the phone and dialed a number.

"Hi, hello! This is Tomei's house." Marisa's voice came from the phone.

"I'm West! Marisa, what can you do if you call me?"

"Ah, West, I'm sorry to bother you. I called you mainly to thank you. I thought you would be home in the afternoon."

"Thank me? Although this incident gave me a headache, I paid a huge price and didn't do it for you to thank me." Li Weisi thought to himself, which affected his sleep last night and Candice's love for me. Laugh, this price is too huge.

However, in Marisa's heart, after hearing Li Weisi's words, she was very shocked. Could it be that Li Weisi paid a huge price for her role?Why did he do this?Could it be...

"I'm sorry, but I don't know how to thank you!" At this moment, Marisa suddenly felt that her attitude towards Li Weisi was a bit bad, and she faintly felt guilty.

"If you really appreciate me, please don't call me home anymore, it distresses me when you do this."

"Okay, I understand, I promise you." At this time, Marisa was overwhelmed. She understood how inappropriate her rash behavior was, and how much pressure Li Weisi was under at home, which made Marisa a little regret.

"Really? That's great!" Hearing Marisa's affirmative answer, Li Weisi was also very happy, and finally he could get rid of this troublesome guy.

When Li Weisi was talking on the phone, a small head appeared on the handrail upstairs.

Candice was very surprised, what happened?Is my brother breaking up because of my few words?This is not allowed, my brother's love cannot be ruined because of my mistake.

(End of this chapter)