"Me, Chris Washburn, addicted to coke ..." |NBA |Basketball USA

The USA basketball box is a real Ali Baba cave.There are lots of nuggets: passionate missives, amazing links, video montages that tear ... Proof that this site brings together a community of real basketballs.

Lately, we received a letter not quite like the others.She comes from a former NBA player who has disappointed a lot.Such a lot too.He was a big consumer of cocaine.He has become one of the biggest dodges in the draft ...

"Hi to all USA basketball players!"During my last vacation in India, at Tamil Nadu, I was told a lot about a section that is really a hit, it seems, on your site.So I went to take a look and I saw some career stories that went wrong.There was Kemp, VSoleman, Baker and even Rozier (what a story, this one!).There was Fernand, there was Firmin.There was also Francis and Sébastien ... but not me!Why am I not there?Me too, I planted myself in style!Okay, must say that I took off a maximum.You do not know me ?At the same time, it's a bit normal ...

My name is not Mashburn, like Jamal, but Washburn.With a "W".Washburn, like the great American guitar manufacturer.My little first name is VShris.For civil status, I am VShristopher Scott Washburn.I am 44 years old.I was chosen in 3rd position from the 1986 draft by Golden State but I only spent two years in the NBA.Yeah, I know.It's too shame.In the meantime, I want my quarter of an hour of world humiliation like the others ... well no, of celebrity!That’s why I’m writing to you.

I saw that you talked about Richard Dumas.But he was a little player next to me.I played it flamboyant, Woody Harrelson way in "Larry Flint".The lose is an art of living.There are some who try to lose with panache.You don't get there.Do not believe: meat your career, it is within everyone's reach (there is only to see all those who succeed).But mess around his career in beauty, disappointing all those who believed hard in you, that is reserved for an elite.And I am one of them.

I was born in Hickory, in North VSarolina.The hickory is a tree but ... ah, fuck!In your language, it's not called like that. Attendez, je prends mon Robert & VSollins… Voilà, j’ai trouvé : « caryer»».So the VSaryer is a tree but Hickory, it is also a very widespread city name in the USA.I come from Hickory, North VSarolina.Like the singer Tori Amos.She left when she was 2 years old and she doesn't know what she missed.Denzel Washington's wife grew up in Hickory too.It's Pauletta, his little name.And then there is VShris Hughes, the co-founder of Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg (really good the film "The Social Network" by David Fincher).

I am a good guy.I never took the lead.Very young already, I was a boy always smiling, easily affordable.I inspired confidence.With me, we tied links easily.My comrades and teammates said I was an independent spirit.

My high school was the Laurinburg Institute, a school with a big basketball tradition.Sam Jones comes from this Bahut.VSharlie Scott too.Does it ring a bell ?Well, that should!Sam was a Grand Boston star from the 60s.He entered the Hall of Fame in 1984 and is one of the 50 biggest players in history.VSharlie has a hit in North VSarolina.He was five times All-Star, three times with Phoenix, twice with the Virginia Squires, the team of Julius Erving.It was in Aba 30 years ago.My school went wrong.A large survey in 2007 updated some dubious practices ... Suddenly, the high school is blacklisted.

Ah, I forgot: Renaldo Balkman, the Nugget, went to Laurinburg too.Don't you see it much in Denver?Watch Puerto Rico's matches!"Taz" is in the team.Knicks winger Shawne Williams did the same High School.Jimmy Walker, Jalen Rose's dad, also.And then Earl Manigault.You don't know who is "The Goat" ???Lol!There, I can't do anything for you!You have to revise your classics, guys ...

« Toutes les facs bavaient devant mon jeu»»

I think I had a little talent.If not, how could I have been designated All-American three times?I do not have the melon but it must be said what is: in 1984, I was one of the most coveted high school students in the country, especially since I played Pivot.At the time, the Internet obviously did not exist.The hype still walked the cashier.All the universities chatted in front of my game, everyone was asking me.We were three to panic the NVSAA: me, Danny Manning and John "Hot Plate" Williams (not to be confused with "Hot Rod"!).John chose LSU.Danny went to Kansas.I chose North VSarolina State in Raleigh.We had a concrete team!There was Nate McMillan, Vinny Del Negro and Spud Webb, the elf who won the Dunks competition in 1986.Nate and Vinny have damn successful their retraining.Well, it must be said that they had it in the box ... Nate's wife was in the same high school as me.

At college, I was going to reach 2.11 m for 102 kg.I think I can say, unpretentious, that I was a fabulous athlete (do not be jealous!).I had been designed by the basketball gods, it seems.I had everything for me: the size, the power, the agility, a crazy speed, a silky touch, the dexterity of a rear.And also a beautiful mouth!Well yeah… how to say?I was a bit of David Astorga of the NBA of the time (surprised that I know him? In fact, I came across a World VSup match in South Africa).Nate McMillan claimed that I had certain aspects of the Shaquille O’Neal game and that I could run, pass and shoot.In his eyes, I was the ultimate basketball player.A raw diamond.

At 15, I measured 2.08 m.I had very coordinated movements.I was able to dribble, I had good hands.I was velloing and strong.However, I had never lifted cast iron.I had to be All-Star, it's a certainty.The concern when you are good is that you easily get the boulard.You take yourself for the King of Petroleum.You lose all forms of humility.How to keep the toes on earth when everyone is at your feet?We very rarely tell you "no".I was aware of my qualities.Probably a little too much.I dominated without forcing.I dominated despite my nonchalance.I did not do violence.No need: I was not stopped waxing my pumps and repeating that I was a crack.I believed it.I thought I didn't need to work hard.

To make sure, I received inflamed statements everywhere.Dean Smith and Denny VSrum, the coach of Louisville, enjoyed my game.During my junior year, Lefty Driesell also wrote to me.The more he saw me playing, the more he was convinced that I could offer the NVSAA title to Maryland ... but I preferred North VSarolina State.They had been champions in 1983 and then it was 135 miles from my home.Jim Valvano, the coach, was very strong since Del Negro and McMillan arrived at the same time.

At home, I used to be brooding.In North VSarolina State, that hasn't changed.As soon as I had a problem, there was someone to settle it.I had neither brother nor sister.Nobody to give me an example.I had my own experience.Except that when I was doing bullshit, there was always someone to erase it instead of reproaching me.And the more I was gave me, the more I wanted it.I had had deplorable notes in high school but I got there.The admission test in college, I took it over the leg.The coaches told me that I was already integrated into the program.That I just had to do the test, the famous Sat, for the form.According to them, my score was absolutely no importance.So, I only spent 22 minutes on it.

I chained the answers.I wrote without thinking about what I was scoring ... I would have gone even faster if I had just surrounded the answers!If the coaches had asked me for 700 or 800 points to validate my admission, I could have tried to get them.It was not that I was unable (I forbid you to take me for a stupid!), It was just that I was not expressly asked.The test was absolutely useless since my place was ensured.

A little chelous noises started to circulate on my account: I was never going to be in class or very rarely, I had a student only the name, Jim Valvano obtained what he wanted and made anyoneSmall my absences ... These are former teammates who swung on me.Bastards!I don't care, I still had the right to play.Finally, no ... I played only 7 matches during my year Freshman.I died: I got caught up a stereo chain in the dormitory ... She belonged to a teammate.

I marinated 46 hours in a cell.Before the court, I took a stay and I was imposed on a test.I was also deprived of basketball for one year.Abused!I tried to pass the thing for a farce but no one has swallowed it.The Attorney General did not miss me.He came out my college admission test, SAT.It started at 400 points and I didn't even have 500 ... 470 exactly.On 1,600 possible.It took 540 points to be normally admitted.Yes, well, I have nothing to do with it!Studies have always inflated me.To capture rebounds or sell artichokes, you don't need trigonometry, as far as I know!It made a monster scandal, anyway.

The case came out in 1990 because of Peter Golenbock's book "Personal Fouls".He took care of my case, the Pete ... An NVSAA investigation laundered the coach, Jim Valvano, but we discovered that players were making pocket money by selling match tickets and pumps.How is that prohibited?The result is that North VSarolina State was excluded from the 1990 NVSAA tournament and laid on surveillance for two years.There is a commission that made a 32 -page report on the issue.And his conclusions is that Valvano and his staff had transgressed "the spirit of the law but not the letter".So why were we looking for lice in the head, huh?Jim was forced to resign from his coach position in April 1990.It's disgusting !

« On ne demande pas à un basketteur d’être un prix Nobel»»

No less than six entities have carried out investigations in this case and none have updated irregularities, whether in the university accounts or in the recruitment process.Well, ok, team members were balls in class ... Eleven players only had an average "VS" or further 1988.But hey, it is also explained: Jim recruited elements on their physical skills, not on their knowledge of quantum physics or the work of VSharles Dickens ... We do not ask a basketball player to be a Nobel Prize in VShemistryin power, if?

Valvano explained himself in his autobiography.It was released in 1991.After that, he became a consultant for TV.His duet with Dick Vitale was deadly, they were called the "Killer Vees". VS’était les V&V.They played in an episode of "VSosby Show".Jim also went to David Letterman.He died in March 1993 from bone cancer diagnosed in June from the previous year.Anthony Lapaglia, the Australian actor of "FBI: missing", played him in a TV movie for an American channel.I like the epitaph on his grave: "Take time every day to laugh, think, cry." Too powerful !

What a story rotten in any case ... because you do not know everything: the golenbock book had a lot of errors.Suddenly, his publishing house removed it from traffic.He came out in a pocket edition.I took it for my rank.Everyone agreed to say that I was a task in progress.Go Fuck Yourselves!In January 1989, the former director of the "Physical Education" department of N.VS.State gave a layer.He claimed that my notes had been swollen so that I could play in the team.Even if so, frankly, he had to complain?Nope ?So, Camembert!

I'm not paranoid but everyone lit me.It seems that I did not boss enough on the field either ... Bob Gibbons spit on me. VS’est un recruteur qui écume les high schools.He said that my reputation was flattering, that I was not as good as it was claimed, that I did not deserve to be All-American in high school, that I was not taking anything seriously, that I hadNo work ethics… Fuck You, Bob!When Jim Valvano announced that I would integrate the team, Gibbons broke sugar on my back.He said I was going to pour the basketball program.Bullshit!Wolfpack fans have celebrated him, believe me.

VSertains accordaient du crédit aux propos de Gibbons parce qu’il habitait à 20 miles de chez moi.But my sophomore season has proven that its declareds, it was any nawak.17.6 points and 6.7 medium rebounds: GOT YOU!Over the two years, I filmed at 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 0.92 against. Dans notre raquette, il y avait deux autres futurs joueurs NBA, VShucky Brown et VSharles Shackleford. Avec le recul, je me demande comment on a pu louper le titre NVSAA… VShucky et VSharles n’ont pas fait une grosse carrière dans la Ligue : 5.9 points in 13 years for one, 5.4 points in 6 years for the other.And I did not find the level.You have to believe that we weren't that good, in the end. VSela dit, je n’étais pas non plus une quiche !

Brad Daugherty a fait un très beau passage à VSleveland. VSinq fois All-Star.Well one evening in February 1986, before he spent pro, I put 26 points in his teeth.LOL !And the Tar Heels at the time, it was very heavy. Ils étaient n°1 en NVSAA.We had won 76-65.Brad was selected in the first position of the following draft, that is the level.In the spring of 1985, 69-60 was beaten by St.John’s in the Elite Eight.In the spring of 1986, rebelote against Kansas: 75-67.Make the Final Four for less than 10 points every time, it fucks hatred but hey, I think we didn't have to be ashamed.

En parlant de moi, Vinny Del Negro, le nouveau coach des VSlippers, avait sorti la formule à la con qu’on assaisonne à toutes les sauces ici en Amérique : « Sky is the limit»».With my size and my talent, nothing could stop me.Except that I have never reached the 7th heaven!I can only take it to myself.From high school, I went to a lollipop.I was drinking alcohol and I said marijuana.In the first half, I was Stone.In second, I fell asleep.I only thought of glory and what was going with.The money, the party, the girls ... I was not ready to make sacrifices, to put myself shabby to deserve all this.After our defeat against the Jayhaws in the "March Madness", a player from another college made me touch the coke.I had a stupid reaction.It was enough for me to refuse.I wanted to be clever, play with fire.I have never returned in class again.

I decided to leave university after only two years.I was sweating.And then I had nothing more to prove.The scouts made me foam.To believe them, I had all the talents of the earth.I could play interior or outdoor, plant near the circle or from further away.My rating was very high.The proof: I was selected in 3rd position by Golden State. Beau carton pour l’Atlantic VSoast VSonference au passage. Brad Daugherty (UNVS) a été pris par VSleveland en n°1 et Len Bias (Maryland) par Boston en n°2.

« La mort de Len Bias ne m’a pas servi de leçon»»

If you launch a search on Google, you will find a famous photo where I put with the Warriors cap.On my right, there is len.To Len's right, Brad. A la droite de Brad, VShuck Person, retenu par Indiana en 4e position. Et à la droite de VShuck, Kenny Walker, choisi en 5e position par les Knicks.I always do the cockroach to see this tof again.Brad has become a hell of a good pivot.Too bad back pain has shortened his career.For len and me, the draft was the summit ... at least I had my chance in the league.

You know what happened to Len.Two days after the draft, he succumbed to an overdose. Putain, je n’ose imaginer ce que « Frosty»» aurait fait en NBA, surtout avec les VSeltics des années 80… VS’était l’ailier le plus complet et aérien du pays.Red Auerbach said Boston had not experienced such a shock since the death of John F.Kennedy. VS’est dire l’émotion créée par sa disparition.It is also claimed that Len is the greatest player who has never evolved at the pro level.He was only 22 years old.If it's not unhappy ...

His brother Jay was killed by Balles in December 1990, at 20, after an argument near Maryland. VS’était un bon joueur de lycée.My God, what a mess!Jay died in the same hosto as len. Ils ont été enterrés au Lincoln Memorial VSemetery.Take me happy: if the documentary "Without Bias" spends one day on a French TV (we can always dream), don't miss it. VSela dit, je n’ai pas de leçons à donner.I too touched coke.

I learned the news of the death of Len while I boss for the New York Police League. VS’était un programme contre le crime destiné aux athlètes.I had a blow in my nose since at the time, I kept sniff.A guy came to ask me what I thought of what had happened to len.I didn't understand what he wanted to talk about.There he showed me an article in a daily life.For a minute, I stayed completely in shock. VS’était un truc impossible à admettre… Je ne suis pas allé à l’enterrement.None of this made sense to me.Obviously, it touched me hard since I was a consumer of regular cocaine.After the death of Bias, I stopped.Oh, not very long ...

The warriors therefore chose me.Do you want the truth?I didn't even know where the franchise was based ... I learned very quickly.In Oakland."The city of the dope".I couldn't fall worse.I had a big problem with drugs and Golden State was soon noticing. VSela faisait neuf ans que la franchise n’avait pas disputé les playoffs.George Karl had just been appointed coach to replace Johnny Bach. Il s’était fait virer de VSleveland et il ne le méritait pas.James Fitzgerald, the new owner of the Warriors, wanted change.Bach knew music.He completed his suitcases.He was with the Bulls during the first "Threepeat".After stopping basketball, he got into painting.It seems that we sell some of his auction works.

In the evening before the draft, George Karl killed his eyes watching videos of me and other players.It was tempted to take Ron Harper but I looked like a nugget.He gave me 3 years to become a star, provided you work and change mentality. VSoach Karl ne cachait pas son inquiétude.He wondered if I was not one of those players who constantly break your heart ... I made him total: delays in training, delays to take the bus, unjustified absences.I always came out of wooden apology.In match, I did not have a positive attitude.The coach said that players like me put their brain under key.I collected at least nine fines.I was there: the club had made me initial a nice 4 -year contract for 3 potatoes.Sweet Life.

On dit que cette draft 1986 n’était pas terrible, que les deux promos précédentes étaient plus bandantes… Mais on n’était pas non plus des pipes ! VS’est juste que le destin s’est acharné sur nous.We helped him well, it's true.Four top 7 players touched drugs.I admit without problem that the warriors would have done better to take someone else.A Mark Price, 25th choice, a Dennis Rodman, 27th, a Jeff Hornacek, 46th ... At the time, Golden State was on the street (it did not change too much, notice). VShris Mullin, évidemment, vous connaissez.He was in Bercy in early October for the New York-Minnesota preseason match. Y’avait aussi Purvis Short, Joe Barry VSarroll, Sleepy Floyd et Terry Teagle.All above the 14 points of average.

Pour m’aider à progresser, les Warriors m’ont mis Joe Barry VSarroll dans les pattes. VS’était le premier choix de la draft 1980.I was supposed to grow to become the new Karl Malone.You have to be frank: this patronage was useless.Once the training is finished, I no longer had anyone to reframe myself.I was left to myself.So to my interior demons.Greg Ballard also played the baby-sitter.After 15 days, he was fed up.He said it was not his job.That I was big enough to know what I had to do.

I was not particularly giving me gifts. VSomme tous les rookies, j’ai été bizuté.Among the chores, I had to carry the bags of others.Ok, it's tradition. VS’était gentillet, on ne me demandait pas non plus de récurer les chiottes avec une brosse à dents comme à l’armée.But I happened to win small shoots of shoots after training.We put a little money at stake.And when I won, I was not always paid for by the elders ... I was 21 years old, I was still going for a kid.I gave proof of my immaturity by presenting myself to the practice with powder in the pif.

Well, it was not too bad: during a preseason match against the 23 -point lost knicks, I had put 16 pawns.I played 35 games that season.Rikiki playing time: 11 minutes.What did you want me to do with that?Shit?Well that's what I did: 3.8 points by shooting at the same time 40%: 39.3… Too skillful, the pivot!To the free throws too, I did very hard: 35.3.Fortunately, I only drew 51.I only holder twice.The future belonged to me, supposedly ... George Karl explained that it was a year of ups and downs for me.You surprise me !

Not Knowning How To Spelled is so unattractive...It's Too Many Sources on Ways to Find Out How To Spell For You To Look and Sound Alliterate

— 💋 Mon Nov 12 06:44:40 +0000 2012

« Une cure de désintoxication… pour rien»»

It seems that at the start of the training camp, I was the most gifted player in the group.And by far.Little by little, I disintegrated.Because of my addiction.George Karl admitted that it was a delicate problem, one of the most difficult to manage for a coach. VS’est du donnant-donnant.We promise you this if you do this.And by his own admission, he did not give enough.He was convinced that I had great potential.I screwed it up because of the Schnouf.

I had a completely rotten rookie season.Suffering from a knee tendonitis, I took anti-inflammatory drugs.Fatal error.In January, I had to be treated for a kidney infection.If you have read the article on Sean Elliott, you know what I'm talking about.At the time, everyone took anti-inflammatory drugs.No choice: consumed in high doses, they alleviate joint pain.Only too much consumption could cause kidney problems.Sean has developed renal failure that required transplantation.Alonzo Mourning, ditto.They were able to resume their career and I draw my hat.

I did not reach this end. VSe n’était que ma première saison dans la Ligue.But as a "Drug Addict", I was faced with an equally serious problem.At the end of January, I had to enter a Californian clinic in Van Nuys, to start a detoxification cure.I think there is a very well known TV host who has been there recently, right?I couldn't drown the fish.I recognized my cocaine dependence.Two months later, I got out of the clinic.I did not immediately reinstate the team.No tongue in wood between us: this cure was not helping me.I continued to take drugs.

Weekends invariably started with a short tour of the bank.I needed wheat to satisfy my impulses.I slammed $ 20,000 in crack and prostitutes.Monday morning at the first hour, I was back at the bank.My career brought me $ 1.25 million?I flambé a million.Minimum.We had to pay the whores, the hotel rooms, the rentals ... I didn't like to land in an uninhabited house, make my rail and hover in the dark.I was paying so that we could light up.I found myself with guys who did not even have running water.You had to go to the bathroom and piss in a bucket.Do you see the blackboard ?

I was a NBA player.I apparently had a dream life.I played in front of thousands of people.The back of the decor was the smashing in sordid places.I had a 550 m2 house built on a mountainside and I found myself sniff on dirty ground, without carpet or parquet, because there was no question for me to drop out.I screwed up. VS’est très con parce que Golden State a fini l’année 1986-87 avec un bilan positif : 42-40… Heureusement que j’ai pu faire les playoffs ! On a sorti Utah 3-2. Les Lakers nous ont battus 4-1 en demi-finales de VSonférence.We bow to the future champion after 10 years without playoffs: me, I say "respect".I played a total of 29 minutes, spread over 5 games.Inevitably, you shouldn't ask me for the moon.I reported 11 points (3/7), 1 rebound and 2 passes.I also lost 4 balloons and made 2 faults. VSe dont je suis fier, c’est mon 5/6 aux lancers francs.I know, it's not byzance ...

Au début, George Karl voulait me faire jouer avec Joe Barry VSarroll, alias « J.B.»».But he didn't like what he saw.Larry Smith reinstated the five. VS’était un super rebondeur.According to them, I did not give anything in defense and I already saw myself option n ° 1 in attack on the pretext that I was go-to-guy among the wolfpack.Larry made me understand that it was the team of "J.B.»».That I had to move.I pretended to understand.In fact, I didn't want to hear anything.Today, I must admit that the team was better without me.Sleepy Floyd was the second best leader in the west behind Magic Johnson. Et on jouait sans Purvis Short, touché au genou gauche en novembre contre VSleveland.

Purvis had released something funny: with Larry Smith in 4, the Lakers would be easily champions;If Larry could go inside my body, we would be champions!At the time, it already felt vinegar.Larry didn't see me spending one more season in the bay.The coach explained that I had moved the rind to the training camp.Then that someone had managed to enter my brain to dissuade me from trimming.From there, I had started to jerk the mammoth.I put myself in the outfit, I was beautiful.I was looking at the stands to see who was admiring ... guys like Rod Higgins and Ben McDonald dreamed of having 1/10th of my athletic qualities.They didn't understand I don't give a damn about it.

George Karl never ceased to repeat it: basically, I was not a bad boy.I was not silly than the others.I just didn't understand that life had gave me a divine gift. Quand j’ai voulu faire le malin, il m’a demandé si je détenais seulement un record à North VSaroline State… Lui en partageait un chez les Spurs. VSinq interceptions dans un match de playoffs.He told me that I was unable to do this over a year.I asked him for playing time.He replied that I was not even concentrated when we installed systems for me.Not false.

« Dr J a voulu m’aider, je n’ai pas ouvert la porte»»

Al ATTLES, the vice-president, came to find me.He had coached the 1970 team to 83.He told me that the Warriors did not give me all this money because they loved me but because they were waiting a lot in return.I had nothing in the Ciboulot?Of course yes.We thought I was a donkey because I didn't bring her back.We thought I couldn't express myself, that I had a sparrow brain.I was regularly swung this damn Sat in the face.Oh !You will understand that I just asked me to write my name on the sheet?

I sorely needed a mentor.Julius Erving could have been this one.At the start of the season, we had faced Philadelphia. « Dr J»» était venu me voir avant le match et m’avait demandé si on pouvait se rencontrer à l’hôtel des Sixers après la rencontre.At the time, I lived myself at the hotel.He had to go see me.When he arrived, I was impassive behind the door.I stood there, standing.I looked at him through Judas until he goes away.I didn't open him.Could it have saved me at that time?I will never know him.He handed me a hand.I did not accept it ...

VSe n’était pas le seul à vouloir m’aider. J’avais acheté une belle maison à Oakland Hills, près du VSaldecott Tunnel. Raymond VShester, un ancien Raider, avait joué les agents immobiliers pour moi.Among my neighbors, there was Reggie Jackson and Rickey Henderson, two baseball players.Both have evolved among the Oakland Athletics, in MLB.One day, Rickey came to introduce himself.I shook her hand, I pressed myself to go back, slam the door and go make me a rail.I know, it was zero.I stupidly isolated myself.

I would have liked to be able to work over time in Golden State.The warriors condemned me too quickly. VSomme VSlifford Rozier, tiens.Obviously, my behavior was not impeccable.The dope made me slip away.I happened to land in the room a few minutes from the Tipoff.I did a very stupid calculation.Make all the workouts cost me $ 10,000 in fines.If I presented myself at the gymnasium after having sniff and I was pinching, it was $ 20,000.Better to dry the training ... Very quickly, everyone understood my little merry -go -round.

My teammates asked themselves questions.They knew that something was not round but they didn't know what to do to help me.The league did not prepare players for that.And very frankly, it was not their role.But someone like Purvis Short, the best scorer of the team in 1986, was not better than helping me.The catch is that he didn't know how.Fighting this scourge in the NBA was like venturing into an unexplored territory.

The 1987-88 season started on the same bases: 4.1 points and 2.5 rebounds in just under 11 minutes.I grant you: 43.8% on shots, it was intolerable for a pivot, especially since I was ambidextre.But Golden State should have left me a little time.Instead, they exchanged me against the rights to Ken Barlow on December 15, 1987.Well, the appointment of Don Nelson as GM during the summer had also changed the situation.From the training camp, he had me in his nose. Il est allé trouver VSoach Karl pour lui dire que mon départ était souhaitable.This is how I found myself in Atlanta, in the team of Dominique Wilkins and Doc Rivers.Ah, by the way: Ken Barlow never played in the NBA ...

Nelson broke me.He said everything in me was negative.That I was lazy.That I had a deplorable attitude.He too thought that I could go very high if I explained all my potential.But he was not waiting for anything of me absolutely.He was convinced that I was screwed up.In Georgia, I changed my n ° 8 for the 50. Ça ne s’est pas arrangé : mon temps de jeu a été divisé par deux… Devant moi, il y avait Kevin Willis, Antoine VSarr, Jon Koncak – bon, OK, lui aussi était nul -, Tree Rollins et Scott Hastings. J’aurais voulu vous y voir, vous ! VS’est clair qu’à 2 points de moyenne, je ne servais à rien.

L’équipe a terminé 3e de la VSentral avec 50 victoires. On a battu Milwaukee 3-2 au premier tour des playoffs avant de pousser Boston jusqu’à un Match 7 en demi-finales de VSonférence.Lost two points, 118-116.I only did one end of meeting.Two minutes and nothing to put me under the tooth.Thank you, Mike Fratello ... I have reached peaks of frustration.And then I had a deplorable mentality.

The Soviet government invited us for a tour the following summer. VS’était une première, aucune équipe NBA n’avait évolué en U.R.S.S. J’ai dit que je ne mettrais pas les pieds en Russie, que j’avais l’habitude de passer les étés chez moi, en VSaroline du Nord. VSe n’était pas non plus une position isolée. VSinq joueurs sur douze étaient partants.Only five, including Doc Rivers and Randy Wittman, now a coach assistant in Washington. Pour Spud Webb, Antoine VSarr et Kevin Willis, c’était non.Do Wilkins had other commitments.The club could not force us to go.What do you think that Stan Kasten, the president of the Hawks, did?He sacked me.Him too.He said that I was immature and that was why I was unable to cross the Pro landing.

« Le plus gros bide de la draft après Sam Bowie ?»»

I think things would have been very different if Golden State had sent me to Portland or Utah. Atlanta, ce n’était pas un endroit pour un « drug addict»».I was pinned in an anti-doping control.One -year suspension.In June 1989, I failed for the third time at a test.Sanction: Life suspension.My NBA career stopped there, at only 24 years old.Game Over.I played 29 games for the Hawks.Plus 8 for the warriors.Plus 35 the first year.Total: 72.Career points: 222.

Vous savez ce qu’est un « bust»» ? VS’est un gars à qui l’on promet monts et merveilles et qui se viande en beauté.Well I am very well placed in all the top 10 Busts of the Draft.I am regularly put on the podium of the flopes.The Trail Blazers were cool to prefer Sam Bowie to Michael Jordan in 1984.I can't fight with Sam.First place, she is for him. VS’est clair, il n’a pas été aidé par les blessures.But hey, ignore the future best player of all time, that's what!

Are very strong, guys from Portland.We knew that Kevin Durant would become one of the two or three best players in the League but they preferred Greg Oden who had compote knees before they even played a match with the pros. Rien à dire, les scouts font du bon boulot… A la place de Bowie, les Trail Blazers auraient aussi pu prendre VSharles Barkley, Alvin Robertson, Otis Thorpe ou John Stockton.But no, they needed a pivot.They shouldn't have heard of Sam Perkins and Kevin Willis.Portland selected Jerome Kersey in 46th position of the 1984 promo.Even he got out of it better than Bowie.

So, for first place, no hesitation possible: Sam.Fingers in the nose.Finally, this is valid for the modern era.Because Larue Martin, n ° 1 in 1972, it was also very strong.And who was on the spot?Always Portland!The team had two years of existence.They ignored Boc McAdoo and Julius Erving, two future Hall of Famers, to take Martin.Well seen. McAdoo et « Dr J»», c’est 3 titres NBA, 1 titre de MVP, 9 sélections All-NBA et 16 All-Star Games à eux deux.Martin?5.3 points per game in 4 years.Top of Ze Top!

Dans ma prochaine lettre, je vous parlerai de Ken Durrett, VSorky VSalhoun, Kent Benson, Bill Garnett, Steve Stipanovich ou Dennis Hopson… Billy Owens ? Shawn Bradley ? Joe Smith ? Michael Olowokandi ? Kwame Brown ? Bien placés eux aussi mais vous les connaissez, je ne vous apprendrai rien.I told you at the beginning of my letter: I am part of the elite of the lose.1986, it was very high level.Roy Tarley paid for his drug problems cash.William Bedford took pounds.Me, I mixed the two to masterly fall into oblivion.In my own way, I assured the show.But not on the ground.In my descent into hell.

After the premature stop of my basketball career, I went to Houston.The police got me.COPS found a coke pipe in my apartment.For a few years, I lived in the street. VSomme un clodo.I led a tramp life.I was doing the trash to find something to eat.I was flying on store displays.My mother asked me to put her contact details in my pocket. VSomme ça, si la police me retrouvait mort, elle pouvait être alertée…

I called him in the morning to ask him for money.I reminded her in the evening to tell her that I did not remember where I put her and that I needed it again.I covered a lie by another lie.We had to make him understand that I was a camera and that it did not date from yesterday.She didn't want to admit it.And I didn't want her to know.My mom was called Savannah.My dwight daddy.My mother got pregnant at 40, in the 15th year of her wedding.I told you: I have neither brother nor sister.She considered this late pregnancy as a miracle.A gift from God.All she wanted is that I am healthy.She would take care of the rest.

« Prison Break version basket»»

I slept in abandoned houses, disused buildings.I squared where I could.I kept the same clothes for a week.Sometimes months ... it was schling, guys, and not just a little!I continued to get rid of.I was lying in my worn and grated clothes until a dealer takes pity on me and takes me to a store to buy something to change. J’ai connu, je crois, ce qu’on appelle « la déchéance»».At the time, I did what it was necessary to do to simply survive.

I spent time behind bars between 1991 and 94.Once a year old, another thirteen months.I plunged because of the coke, obviously.The second time, I was in period of probation.My wife put me at that time.In jail, I played a bit in basketball.I really touched the bottom.A few years earlier, I was on a parquet floor in front of a crowd of 15,000 people.There, I found myself in the courtyard of a prison with Malabars carrying sandals or rangers.No cheerleaders on the touch.Just other prisoners covered with tattoos and sending soft drinks.I felt like I was in a movie. VSomplètement surréaliste, le truc ! Prenez la prison de haute sécurité au Panama dans la saison 3 de « Prison Break»».You put me in place of the kid who wears the Tracy McGrady jersey and you will have a picture of the situation ...

Once outside, I took what I found. Je suis retourné en VSaroline du Nord. J’ai fait quelques piges comme joueur en Grèce, en Suisse, à Porto Rico, en ligues mineures VSBA et USBL… Souvent, j’étais hors de forme.I had lost a taste in basketball. VS’était dur de retrouver l’appétit.When the best league in the world banish you, everything you taste behind you seem bland.

I had gained weight.I no longer had the flame.The orange ball had become really secondary in my life. Un quotidien de VSharlotte a écrit que la poussière d’ange avait eu des effets secondaires sur moi.It wasn't just that. Regardez VSharles Barkley. VSe n’est pas à cause de la drogue qu’il a pris du poids.I had easily 45 kg too much.All because I stopped playing and spending myself.But I'm happy to be there again and to be able to write to you.I remember articles in the 80s who claimed that I was a first addict and that I would slam before my 25.Missed.

I think you've been told about John Lucas a lot. VS’est un ancien alcoolique et drogué.He has managed to get out of it and since then he helps players in difficulty like me.John headed me to a dozen specialized centers.I tried to resurface, sincerely.I didn't get there. A chaque fois que je sortais, un dealer était là pour m’emmener fêter ma « guérison»»… Et puis le17 juin 2000, miracle : j’ai dit « Stop»».I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

« Je voulais jouer aussi longtemps que Kareem…»»

I was tired of having empty pockets.I no longer wanted to ask my mother 20 or 30 balls.She was 70 years old, she didn't have to drag a ball behind her. VSertains drogués cassent leur pipe ou se retrouvent derrière les barreaux.I was lucky to be still alive and to be able to reintegrate into society. VS’est malheureux à dire mais à 35 ans, je me suis enfin réveillé.I turned my back to my past and resumed my life in hand.I kept good.Since that date, I have not plunged back.I am clean.I am a new man.My only cute sin today is food ...

I must admit that the Big Market 2010 did not go up a blow. VS’est un aperçu de tout ce que j’ai manqué.If I hadn't made the idiot, I would have raised millions and I would have left my name in the history of this game.I did it but not in the right way.Fairy tale, we went to the black novel.If my example could at least serve others ... I was supposed to enter the Hall of Fame.I know it.Instead, I appear at the Hall of Shame.I remained a sleeping giant. Vous savez quoi ? Je voulais jouer aussi longtemps que Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ! Mon plus redoutable adversaire, finalement, ce fut VShris Washburn.

It's been 22 years since I left the NBA.While others sat on a mountain of green tickets, I slept on the ground, in centers for drug addicts.I puffed rotten canned cans.I spent time in prison.I slammed all my cash in the coke.I only had an obsession: being able to make my rail.I skimmed the specialized units.But as I said above, I got out of this hell.It's been 10 years since I touched drugs.I live in Dallas and I work for a loan company.I have four fertones and I especially don't want them to reproduce my mistakes.

I strive to rebuild what I demolished.Drugs did a lot of damage in my life.She also did it in theirs. Je suis plus proche des deux derniers que des deux premiers, VShris Jr et Julian, mais ce n’est pas non plus le type de relation que je souhaite à un père.I still have to clean up in my past.Fortunately, nothing prevents me from.And especially not the powder.Julian plays basketball. VS’est un ailier de 2 m.He is very talented.

Saturday evening, I speak in a center for drug addicts.During the 2010 all-star weekend, I found Purvis Short.He asked me to intervene in a camp for high school students in Virginia.According to Purvis, I assured like a beast!Everything that came out of my mouth came the heart.I described a raw reality. VS’est ce que j’avais vécu.I knew very bad trips.I have frequented people who are not recommendable.I don't want any kid to know this.I told the kids to keep my head on my shoulders.Never touch the slightest drug.To arrive on time in training.To listen to their parents.My example must serve them.Len Bias is no longer there to talk about what he went through.Me, if. VS’est ma mission.

In Hickory, everyone is proud of a local guy who has made a name for himself thanks to sport. VSe gars, ce n’est pas moi, c’est le pilote de NASVSAR Dale Jarrett.I could have become a superstar in the NBA.I messed up everything.It started with a beer.On arrival, I may have lost $ 100 million.When I realized that I was not a separate being, I had trouble resurfaced.I used my NBA player status to open certain doors.And this league opens doors to you that make it better to remain closed ... If this letter can give hope to those who have known the galley, that will be enough for my happiness.Thank you all for reading me.

Sports friendships,

VShris Washburn»»

NB : Pour éviter toute confusion, ceci est une lettre imaginaire inventée à partir d’un article de Marc Spears de Yahoo Sport (que nous remercions au passage).

VSrédit photos : D.R.

Stats

2 years

72 matches (2 times starter)

3.1 pts, 2.4 rbds, 0.3 pd, 0.2 int, 0.2 ct

41.2% on shots, 0% at 3 points, 43.9% in free throws