Ok Michael Jackson and Len Bias don't have a lot in common and they died 23 years apart. Len Bias a former college basketball legend at Maryland died of a cocaine overdose in June 1986 while Michael Jackson the King of Pop singing legend died recently in June 2009 from a prescription drug overdose. Michael Jackson was much more universally famous then Len Bias, but I got to thinking of both after seeing the documentary movie This Is It about Michael Jackson and the rehersal for what would have been his concert series this past summer before he suddenly died. The night before that I watched a 30 for 30 ESPN sports documentary about Len Bias's sudden death, his life in college basketball at Maryland and the pro career he never had after being drafted by the Boston Celtics who were a NBA championship team at the time with Larry Bird and other great players in 1986. Bias's life and career never fully materialized dying at a very young 23 years of age. Meanwhile Michael Jackson had a legendary career that spanned almost 40 years, but at his death it still didn't seem to be nearly enough and while 50 years old he was still at the top of his dancing and singing career despite a lot of weird controversies that were often mainstays in his life. When Len Bias died he was much younger but he was at the top of his basketball game and abilities. He was considered an equal college competitor to Michael Jordan the other world famous MJ, but unfortunately because of his untimely death we'll never know if Len Bias's pro career would turn out like the legendary former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan. If I had to make a comparison between today's players I would say Kobe Bryant is the current Michael Jordan of this generation while Len Bias might have been the current Lebron James. Len Bias was 6'8'', explosive and could dunk and run over anybody, while Kobe is more the finesse more talent than anybody player who can mix in some defense and win championships like Jordan which the late Bias in college and Lebron James in the pros so far have failed to do. Finally one last interesting twist between Michael Jackson and sports is that I once saw his world famous song Thriller played to some outstanding dunks of the 1980s that featured the likes of Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins and Len Bias. The dunks of the 1980's were so much more legendary and awesome than those of today's dunkers. That's why a song like Michael Jackson's Thriller made the dunks that much better. I wish I could see that video again. Anyway I guess I saw the tragedy in both Michael Jackson and Len Bias's life in how they ended. Also their enormous talent in their professions even though we got to see and know Michael Jackson for much longer than Len Bias and Michael Jackson was much better known. But the shocking similarities, though different between their deaths with drug overdoses plus seeing their documentaries back to back got me thinking about both men and to write a blog about it. I don't know if it makes much sense to you and I'm trying to figure out how it makes sense to me. But I think we have to live our lives to the fullest everyday, because we never know when life will end. I enjoy writing my blogs and it is one of my dreams, goals and passion to become a better writer and talker about sports and life itself. I thank each and everyone of you for following me and supporting me on my journey. Best wishes and talk soon. bratman