Remember a dark moment in NBA history.
In the 1980s, drugs were flowing like wildfire. We started seeing anti-drug commercials playing on television, and anti-drug programs were set up in schools. I remember being in school for the D.A.R.E. program and learning about it.
Documentary, “White Heat.”
In 1987, the Phoenix Suns basketball team was under investigation. The team was facing a major drug scandal of cocaine trafficking. Several of the Suns players were associated with the scandal and indicted, including James Edwards, Jay Humphries, and Grant Gondrezick. The investigation also included former players Garfield Heard and Mike Bratz.
It started as a gambling probe, but it turned out to be much more and expanded to include drug charges. The scandal included accusations of cocaine distribution and conspiracy to traffic drugs. Despite the indictment, a few players were allowed to play in the final game of the season.
Investigators also found a gambling component. There were allegations of a fixed game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Players James Edwards and two of the Bucks players were implicated in a conversation about a point total game.
With all this going on, what would the Suns team face as far as punishment goes? There were no major player punishments, except for one player, Gondrezick, who received probation. The drug bust was known as the single biggest drug bust in pro sports.
You can watch the documentary, White Heat, on YouTube (here).
