All time wasted NBA talents ?

[Red]

While he was still playing Barnes also moonlighted as a drug mule for local dealers that he owed money.

Back in the 70's and 80's ABA/NBA players flew commercial but would typically skip security - Barnes usually stuffed his luggage with drugs which he would deliver on to contacts in the city he was playing in.

Yeah, I followed him at Providence. We've always felt that had he not suffered a knee injury in the 73 national semifinal against Memphis State, then Providence and Ernie D and Marvin would have faced off against Walton and UCLA for the title that year.

The thing about Barnes is it was pretty hard not to like him. Of course, fans can only know the side of a player they see, but everyone knew he had a heart of gold. But nobody could stop his fall.

Brings to mine another guy whose career I followed. Insane level of talent. But too many games where his play seemed to say "I really don't feel like playing tonight". Lamar Odom.
And too many drugs, and too many Kardashians.

 

[Getting Traded]

While he was still playing Barnes also moonlighted as a drug mule for local dealers that he owed money.

Back in the 70's and 80's ABA/NBA players flew commercial but would typically skip security - Barnes usually stuffed his luggage with drugs which he would deliver on to contacts in the city he was playing in.

I've got a story related to Barnes and his influence on others. A friend of mine, actually the younger brother of the star on my high school basketball team was quite a high school phenom and got a scholarship to Providence when Barnes was there. I'm not sure exactly what happened but two years later, David was out of school. Some years after that I ran into David at a bar passed out and gave him a ride to the raunchy apartment where he lived. He talked some about Barnes, how he was the man, etc. I helped him find a job but he was a shell of himself not yet out of his 20s and all drugged up. We played some one-on-one, and I was no Division One player but he couldn't even beat me. Fast forward five or so years later, he died in a fire that he apparently set while smoking and passing out. Kind of reminds you of Delonte West who is now homeless and was recently arrested on the streets after a fight. It's tragic that some people have such great talent that us lesser mortals envy and they just throw it away.

 

[Hekate]

@berkkobe

 

[candrew]

I've got a story related to Barnes and his influence on others. A friend of mine, actually the younger brother of the star on my high school basketball team was quite a high school phenom and got a scholarship to Providence when Barnes was there. I'm not sure exactly what happened but two years later, David was out of school. Some years after that I ran into David at a bar passed out and gave him a ride to the raunchy apartment where he lived. He talked some about Barnes, how he was the man, etc. I helped him find a job but he was a shell of himself not yet out of his 20s and all drugged up. We played some one-on-one, and I was no Division One player but he couldn't even beat me. Fast forward five or so years later, he died in a fire that he apparently set while smoking and passing out. Kind of reminds you of Delonte West who is now homeless and was recently arrested on the streets after a fight. It's tragic that some people have such great talent that us lesser mortals envy and they just throw it away.

Yep - though at the end of the day, as like-able as might have been, Barnes was a junkie.

Delonte West is mentally ill - he's just another victim of this country's resistance to address mental health issues. That video is heartbreaking.

 

[TroutBum]

No Hoffa, no pain.

Know Hoffa, know pain.

 

[infection]

No Hoffa, no pain.

Know Hoffa, know pain.

My old sig.

Yes.

 

[Miggs]

How the heck have I never heard of Marvin Barnes? Like ever? I wanna know more.

Was there ever a 30 for 30 on the guy?

 

[Archie Moses]

World B. Free