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The 1970s and 1980s were turbulent decades for the NBA, marked by fights, drugs, and racial tension. Recreational drug use was rampant in the league during this period, with cocaine being the drug of choice. The NBA's cocaine era, as it came to be known, saw the rise of drug-related scandals, arrests, and suspensions. The league's struggle with drugs was set against a backdrop of racial politics, with a majority of its players being Black and facing stereotypes of being too flashy, too street, and too undisciplined. This dynamic influenced how the media and the public perceived the league's drug problem. The NBA began to address the issue in the mid-1980s, with the introduction of anti-drug policies and disciplinary actions, including suspensions and bans for players who violated league drug guidelines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | Late 1970s and early 1980s |
| Drug involved | Cocaine |
| Affected individuals | Players, coaches, executives |
| Example drugs | Opioids, painkillers, steroids, cannabis, heroin, crack |
| Teams involved | Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets |
| Notable players | Micheal Ray Richardson, Eddie Johnson, Chris Washburn, Roy Tarpley, Richard Dumas, John Drew, Lewis Lloyd, Mitchell Wiggins |
| Consequences | Suspensions, lifetime bans, reinstatements, negative reputation, physical and mental health issues |
| Policy | NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program, suspensions, fines, disciplinary actions, appeals, permanent bans |
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What You'll Learn
Recreational drug use in the NBA in the 1970s and 80s
Recreational drug use was rampant in the NBA during the 1970s and 1980s, with cocaine being the drug of choice. In 1980, the Washington Post reported an estimate that between 40% and 75% of NBA players used cocaine, while one in ten smoked marijuana. The NBA was facing an image crisis as the league was majority-Black, and white sports fans already perceived the league as violent, criminal, and out of control. The drug problem in the NBA was so severe that it led to the implementation of drug tests for each game and the establishment of treatment and rehabilitation programs for players.
The NBA's cocaine era, as it came to be known, had a significant impact on the league and its players. Micheal Ray Richardson, a four-time NBA All-Star guard, became the first player to be banned for life from the league due to his drug use. Richardson recalled that drug use was routine and that players would openly discuss and offer drugs to each other during warm-ups. Another notable player affected by drugs was Marvin "Bad News" Barnes, who went from being a high-performing player to struggling with addiction and ultimately leaving the league by 1980.
The issue of drug abuse in the NBA extended beyond the players to coaches and executives, with alcohol being the most commonly abused substance among this group. Teams even resorted to hiring private investigators to spy on their players to monitor their drug use. The league's response to the drug problem included suspensions and lifetime bans, with David Stern, who became commissioner in 1984, making cleaning up the game one of his top priorities.
While the NBA took steps to address the issue, the change took time, and the league in the late 1970s and early 1980s was significantly impacted by drug use. The problem was so pervasive that it alienated fans and threatened the league's reputation. However, with time and effort, the NBA was able to move past its cocaine era and focus on promoting the sport and the athletes' well-being.
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The NBA's cocaine era
During this time, it was common for players to discuss and use drugs with each other, even during warm-ups before games. The drug culture was so pervasive that teams were rumoured to have hired private investigators to spy on their players, and some players even claimed that it was easier to access drugs than to avoid them. The ease of access, coupled with the pressures of professional sports, created an environment where addiction thrived. This was further exacerbated by the association between drug use and partying, which was often viewed as a way to cope with the stress and demands of the sport.
The NBA Drug Act was implemented in 1983 to address the rampant cocaine use among players. However, the league's efforts to curb drug abuse had varying levels of success. While some players, like Micheal Ray Richardson, the first player banned for life for drug use, were able to get clean and return to the league, others were not as fortunate. Len Bias, a promising college player drafted second overall by the Boston Celtics in 1986, died of a cocaine overdose just two days after securing his spot in the NBA.
Although the NBA's cocaine era eventually came to an end, the issue of drug use in sports persists. Today, the NBA and other leagues continue to grapple with substance abuse, including the use of opioids, painkillers, steroids, and cannabis. While efforts have been made to address these issues, they remain a challenge for sports organizations and a constant reminder of the impact of drug abuse on athletes and the leagues they play in.
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The NBA's anti-drug policy and player bans
The NBA has had to deal with serious drug issues, with recreational drug use booming in the 1980s. The league was forced to clamp down, with players being suspended and banned for drug use and addiction. Micheal Ray Richardson was the first player banned for life by the league for drug use. Other players banned for drug use include Roy Tarpley, Richard Dumas, Eddie Johnson, and Chris Washburn.
Under Article 24 of the NBA Constitution, the commissioner can hand down disciplinary actions, including suspensions or fines of less than $60,000, for on-court incidents, conduct that does not conform to standards of fair play, and conduct that is detrimental to the game or league. If an incident is serious enough, such as point shaving or substance abuse, players can be permanently banned. The NBA's policy, developed with the players' association, made a third illegal drug use offense punishable by a ban, with a minimum two-year wait to apply for reinstatement.
The two primary ways a player can be dismissed from the league are testing positive for a drug of abuse or being convicted of or pleading guilty to the use, possession, or distribution of a drug of abuse. The NBA will no longer test or suspend players for marijuana use, including Delta 8 and CBD. However, they do still conduct random drug tests for other substances.
The NBA's anti-drug agreement has evolved since the spate of bans in the 1980s and 1990s, moving from a relatively strict reading of the policy to a case-by-case basis with a deeper understanding of the different categories and severity. This evolution in policy reflects a shift from indefinite bans to shorter suspensions.
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Alcohol and drug abuse among coaches and executives
Substance abuse has long been a problem in the world of sports, with basketball being no exception. While the NBA's cocaine crisis of the 1980s is well-documented, less attention has been paid to the issue of alcohol and drug abuse among coaches and executives.
The high-pressure environment of professional sports can take a toll on those in leadership positions, who often turn to substances as a means of coping with stress. The normalization of drinking alcohol in the corporate world can blur the lines between social drinking and alcohol misuse. This is particularly true for coaches and executives, who are rarely questioned due to their position of power and influence. As a result, they may develop an unhealthy dependence on alcohol or drugs without realizing it.
Alcohol is the most commonly misused substance by executives. Drinking is often used as a means to unwind after a long day or to socialize with colleagues and clients. In the context of professional sports, drinking after competitions or training is also part of the culture. However, when used to cope with stress or pressure, alcohol can become a crutch, leading to cravings and, eventually, substance use disorders.
Illicit drug use is also prevalent among executives, with 12.1% of those in managerial or executive positions reporting the use of illicit drugs. Coaches and executives may turn to stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines to boost their performance and maintain a confident facade, even in the face of work challenges. This was particularly true in the NBA during the 1980s, when drug abuse was rampant and teams reportedly hired private investigators to spy on their players.
The issue of substance abuse among coaches and executives is not unique to basketball, but it is a problem that deserves more attention. The pressure and stress that come with the job can make these individuals vulnerable to substance use disorders, highlighting the importance of support and treatment options to help them address and overcome their addictions.
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The relationship between race and drug use in theNBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has had a long and complex history with respect to racial politics and drug use. The 1970s and 1980s were particularly tumultuous decades for the league, marked by fights, drug use, and racial tension. During this period, the NBA underwent a rapid demographic shift, transitioning from a majority-white to a majority-black league, which contributed to heightened racial tensions and changing public perceptions of the league.
In 1980, Chris Cobbs, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, published an article exposing rampant cocaine use in the NBA. Cobbs estimated that between 40% and 75% of players were using drugs, with up to 10% freebasing. This exposé came on the heels of well-publicized drug-related arrests of players such as Bernard King and Eddie Johnson. The NBA was already facing issues with violence and criminal perceptions among white sports fans, and the drug crisis further exacerbated these negative perceptions, particularly as cocaine was an expensive drug associated with white professionals.
The issue of drug use in the NBA during this period has been characterised as a moral panic, influenced by systemic racism and bias. While drug use was framed as a moral failing, it was also a reflection of the wider societal context of the time, with recreational drug use, including cocaine, being prevalent in professional sports, society, and entertainment. The league's response to drug use among its players mirrored the broader US "war on drugs," which disproportionately targeted and criminalised Black communities. Despite similar rates of drug use between Black and white Americans, Black individuals were arrested and incarcerated at significantly higher rates.
The NBA's response to drug use among its players included suspensions, fines, and lifetime bans. Notably, the players who received these bans were predominantly Black, further contributing to racial tensions and perceptions of the league. The league's disciplinary actions were outlined in the NBA Constitution, which granted the commissioner the authority to impose suspensions, fines, and permanent bans for conduct detrimental to the league or that violated federal or state laws.
In addition to the players, coaches, executives, and team owners have also faced disciplinary actions and public scrutiny for their involvement in substance abuse or other controversial incidents. The NBA's struggle with drug use during the 1970s and 1980s, coupled with the racial dynamics of the league, shaped its public image and contributed to a complex relationship between race and drug use in the NBA.
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Frequently asked questions
"Black basketballs" is a term used to refer to the drug-related scandals that plagued the NBA in the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, recreational drug use was rampant in the league, with cocaine being the drug of choice. This era is often referred to as the NBA's "cocaine era."
The rise in drug use in the NBA during the 1970s and 1980s mirrored the increase in recreational drug use in broader society, particularly in entertainment and professional sports. Additionally, the NBA was facing struggles with the spotlight and a decline in popularity during the 1970s, which may have contributed to the league's problems with drugs.
The "black basketballs" era had significant consequences for the NBA. It led to the suspension and permanent banning of several players, coaches, and executives due to substance abuse issues. The league also faced a public relations crisis, especially given the racial dynamics of the league at the time, with a majority of the players being African American. The NBA began to address the issue in the mid-1980s, with the implementation of stricter anti-drug policies and disciplinary actions.
