What Could Have Been: A multimedia look at a sad day in sports

A new rookie class will be drafted on June 26 for the National Basketball Association (NBA). ESPN.com takes a look back at one of the top players from the 1986 NBA draft and remembers the legacy he left behind in a special report. The elements brought in to telling the story enhanced the interest in a highly debated topic. The person is Len Bias, who was a two time Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year. He played for the Maryland Terrapins and was drafted by the Boston Celtics. Two days after the draft, Bias died of a cocain overdose. Twenty-two years later, the issues surrounding the death remain topics of discussion. The photos used throughtout the story connect readers to the situation. For instance, the picture of Bias' grave, which is located next to his little brother, Jay Bias, is really a sad photo to see. For added feeling to the picture, the Boston Celtic jersey of Bias is layed over his grave and the high school jersey of his brother is layed over his grave. According to the article, Bias was held at the standard of Michael Jordan when he was drafted to the Celtics. His legacy lives on to this day because of the changes his death caused to laws regarding illegal drugs.

The story overall is very well done because of the different perspectives. In one part there is a segment about his mother and how she believed her son died to be used as an example to the world. Another example is told from a buddy of Jay Bias and how the effects of Bias' death changed his life negatively.

The different videos posted tell additional stories, such as an Outside the Lines report discussing the social impacts of Len Bias' death, which is located in the story. Also, the highlight films which cover the on the court success of Len Bias.

An additional picture of Jay Bias crying at the funeral was posted with the story, which is very vivid and gives a feel to how devastating his death was to his brother. As explained in the story, Jay Bias never really recovered from the death of his brother and eventually died less than five years after his older brother. The photos from the funeral and of Len Bias on his draft day are easily distinguished as old photographs in comparison to the new photographs in the story. The older photos have an orange look to them, but there was a good editing job done to these photos.

Overall, this is a good job of multimedia uses in telling a sad story, which took place 22 years ago.