The 90s Celtics, with the potential presence of Len Bias and Reggie Lewis, might have significantly altered Michael Jordan’s legacy. The Boston Celtics, already a storied franchise with a rich history, were on the brink of a new era when Bias and Lewis tragically passed away. Had these two stars joined forces with the remaining Celtics veterans, they could have disrupted the Chicago Bulls’ dominance in the decade.
Len Bias was a college basketball legend who dominated the game and left an indelible mark at the University of Maryland. Standing tall at 6-foot-8, Bias combined incredible athleticism with scoring ability, earning two ACC Player of the Year awards. His standout performances made him a consensus First-Team All-American and drew comparisons to Michael Jordan. In his senior year, Bias averaged 23.2 points and 7 rebounds per game. The Celtics saw him as Larry Bird’s successor and drafted him second overall in the 1986 NBA Draft.
“Len Bias was a once-in-a-generation talent,” said a former Celtics executive. “He had the potential to be a franchise player and lead us to championships.”
Had Bias played, the Celtics could have dominated the early 90s. Imagine Bias leading a Celtics team still supported by veteran stars and young Reggie Lewis. The 90s Celtics could have challenged Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls for Eastern Conference supremacy. They might have denied the Houston Rockets their back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. Bias’s dynamic play, combined with the Celtics’ championship pedigree, could have resulted in multiple titles in the 90s. This would have cemented Boston’s place as one of the decade’s dominant teams.
Reggie Lewis, drafted by the Celtics with the 22nd pick in 1987, was a rising star before his untimely death in 1993. He averaged over 20 points per game in his final two seasons and earned an NBA All-Star selection in 1992. Lewis was expected to become the Celtics’ new franchise cornerstone as Bird and McHale neared retirement. His contributions were significant, as he was a reliable scorer and capable of taking over games when needed.
“Reggie Lewis had the potential to be a great leader on and off the court,” said a former Celtics coach. “His passing was a huge loss for the organization.”
Bias died two days after being drafted by the Celtics, shocking the sports world with a fatal cocaine overdose. Seven years later, tragedy struck again when Lewis collapsed and died from a heart attack during an offseason practice. Doctors later discovered he had a heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Lewis’ death devastated the Celtics organization and its fans.
Bias and Lewis could have transformed the Celtics in the 90s. With Bias as the new franchise face and Lewis as his running mate, the Celtics might have extended their dominance into the decade. Instead of struggling through the post-Bird years, the 90s Celtics could have competed fiercely with the Bulls, Rockets, Knicks, and other powerhouses of the era. Bias’s impact could have attracted more talent to Boston and kept the franchise at the top of the league.
“The potential of Bias and Lewis on the same team is a dream scenario for any Celtics fan,” said a longtime season ticket holder. “It’s a tragedy that we never got to see what could have been.”
In the end, the legacy of the 90s Celtics will always be marked by the what-ifs and the untimely deaths of two promising stars. The impact they could have had on the NBA and Michael Jordan’s dominance will forever be a topic of hypothetical discussion among basketball fans.
