Podcast / Edge of Sports / Oct 11, 2023

Len Bias and the 1980s War on Drugs

On this episode of the Edge of Sports podcast, part 4 of our series, the Basketball Butterfly Effect.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Len Bias and the 1980s War on Drugs | Edge of Sports
byThe Nation Magazine

This week on the Edge of Sports podcast, we welcome back Arya Shirazi to discuss another basketball butterfly effect: what if the NBA had handled the death of Len bias differently? How is that of affected that generation of 1980s players?

Dave Zirin – How DeSantis Is Using Sports to Hijack a Florida College:

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/new-college-sarasota-florida-desantis/

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Maryland forward Len Bias twirling a basketball keychain.

(Getty Images)

This week on Edge of Sports, we welcome back Arya Shirazi to discuss another basketball butterfly effect: What if the NBA had handled the death of Len Bias differently? How would it have affected that generation of 1980s players?

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Basketball Butterfly Effect: Steph Curry & the Knicks | Edge of Sports with Dave Zirin
byThe Nation Magazine

In Part 6 of our series, Basketball Butterfly Effect, Arya Shirazi joins the show again to discuss the 2009 NBA draft and the Knicks coming close to getting Davidson sharpshooter Steph Curry, the most revolutionary player of his generation. You don’t want to miss this episode!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Dave Zirin

Dave Zirin is the sports editor at The Nation. He is the author of 11 books on the politics of sports. He is also the coproducer and writer of the new documentary Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL.

More from The Nation

US investor and philanthropist Alexander Soros, son of Hungarian-US investor and philanthropist George Soros, speaks during a ceremony to accept on behalf of his father the 2025 Civil Rights Prize of the Sinti and Roma, on October 23, 2025, in Berlin, Germany.

Liberal Philanthropy and the Fight for Democracy, With David Callahan  Liberal Philanthropy and the Fight for Democracy, With David Callahan 

On the latest Nation Podcast.

D.D. Guttenplan and David Callahan

Moses Malone

Moses Malone Gets Biblical Moses Malone Gets Biblical

On Edge of Sports: Paul Knepper on his new book on Moses Malone, and Arya comes back to talk all things NBA.

Dave Zirin

Angelo Herndon.

The Story of One of the Most Important Free Speech Cases of All Time The Story of One of the Most Important Free Speech Cases of All Time

Randall Kennedy talks to The Nation Podcast about the Angelo Herndon case.

D.D. Guttenplan and Randall Kennedy

Jeff Teat #7 of the New York Atlas in action during the Premier Lacrosse League Championship game between the New York Atlas and the Denver Outlaws at Sports Illustrated Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Harrison, New Jersey.

How Lacrosse and Boxing Explain the USA How Lacrosse and Boxing Explain the USA

On the latest episode of Edge of Sports.

Dave Zirin

A protester at the No Kings rally in Venice, Florida, on October 18, 2025.

The Myth of Free Speech The Myth of Free Speech

Historian Fara Dabhoiwala talks to American Prestige about his new book.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Isaac Okoro #35 of the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on October 12, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Tom Alter is Here—Plus, Our NBA Eastern Conference Preview Tom Alter is Here—Plus, Our NBA Eastern Conference Preview

On Edge of Sports: Dr. Tom Alter on his unjust dismissal from Texas State University, and Arya Shirazi on the upcoming NBA season.

Dave Zirin

x