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Spencer Haywood struggled with cocaine addiction while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1979-80 season and was waived during the 1980 NBA Finals for falling asleep at practice after drug use. Former University of Maryland star forward Len Bias was selected No. 2 overall in the 1986 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics but died two days later after suffering from cardiac arrhythmia caused by cocaine overdose. Former NBA center Chris Washburn was barred in 1989 for cocaine use and didn’t become sober until 2000. “Once you start doing it, the s— just takes over and you don’t think you have a problem,” Richardson said. “Anything that you do that you can’t stop means that you got a problem. Gambling, sex, alcohol, drugs, it’s all the same.”
When asked which players Spencer Haywood enjoys watching most outside of the headline acts, his eyes lit up and his answer came easily: “I enjoy watching Kevin Durant,” he said. “Oh yeah! I love watching him. I love that lineup that you just gave me but, one of the other guys that I love is, I love watching Jayson Tatum and I love Jaylen Brown because I like his stances [on issues]; he’s a little bit of a radical so I kind of appreciate that and it adds a little more special to his stuff.”
Haywood believes their records are not unbreakable — especially with how the game has changed. Surveying the field of young superstars, he offered some names to watch: “I still like Luka [Dončić] to break John Stockton’s passing record,” said Haywood. “And Luka might be up there to break LeBron’s 40,000 because he’s starting so early in the game so, that’s one. Joker for scoring, but not assists. You know if Ja Morant would put his mind to it and just become an assist maker, he could easily do it, you know? Because he has the time and he has the experience — he can score, but he can also make the passes as well. I like Kyrie Irving too.”
Across sports, he points out, family dynasties have been celebrated, not scorned. “LeBron got it right,” said Haywood. “EVERYBODY wanted to play with their son. Everybody wanted to use their power for them and their family and for the growth of their kids. I mean, isn’t it a great thing? I mean, I look at hockey; I look at Gordie Howe and I look at all the people that played with their sons and why is he being branded like, ‘Oh my god, he did a bad, bad thing!’ And the guy can play!”
Tim Hardaway Jr. passes Kobe Bryant in three-pointers
Jorge Sierra: Tim Hardaway Jr. passed Kobe Bryant in three-pointers last night for No. 29 in NBA history. Also: Kawhi Leonard moved ahead of Spencer Haywood in scoring for No. 171.
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Spencer Haywood on Kevin Durant: 'I wouldn't be surprised if I see him in a Sonics uniform again'
Spencer Haywood, NBA Hall of Famer and former Sonic: Me and Durant are still talking about Seattle. We talked about it at the All-Star game [this year]. I can’t go any further – there’s some sneaky stuff going on that I can’t talk about because it’s private. But I wouldn’t be surprised if I see him in a Sonics uniform [again]. I was with his mother at the All-Star game – with him and his mother, everybody. I’m just saying.
Spencer Haywood: The Sonics brought me in to be with Durant when he was drafted when he was introduced in Seattle. They brought me in and I was with him onstage and the whole deal. Talking to him, like, “Welcome to Seattle and welcome to the best franchise in the NBA.” I said, “Man, you’re going to love this city. I love this place.”
Spencer Haywood: I watched the whole [2007-08] season. … I was like, “Woah man, we got Kevin Durant up here, this is so beautiful!” Next thing they were leaving. And guess who I saw at the All-Star game [that season]. Clay Bennett. God! No disrespect to him but, you know, he did what he needed to do to get Kevin to Oklahoma City. We allowed him to take it. Now, I have a little withdrawal when I drink Starbucks.
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Jorge Sierra: ALL-TIME SCORING LIST UPDATES Giannis passed Earl Monroe for No. 90 in NBA history yesterday. Kyrie Irving now ahead of Stephon Marbury at No. 111. Nikola Vucevic at No. 163 after moving past Spencer Haywood. Jeff Green at No. 189 after passing Carlos Boozer.
In a recent interview, Haywood spoke about LeBron's all-time scoring record. The 74-year-old talked about his legacy in the game of basketball and how ultimately, it had a significant impact on the Lakers superstar's career: “Oh he’s going to add to the record but, you also have to think: He would not have broken that record if he didn’t have four extra years that Spencer Haywood provided for him,” Haywood told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on YouTube’s Scoop B Selects. “Because before I came along, you had to wait for four years before you got into the pros. So LeBron was able to come in from out of high school so he’s got 8,000 plus because of what I did. So it’s a beautiful thing to see and to see Kareem is on the acceptance level that says, ‘You know? He broke this record,' because all of these records are going to be interesting.”
Justin Kubatko: Jamal Murray last night: ✅ 40 PTS ✅ 13-22 FG ✅ 6-10 3P ✅ 8-9 FT It was Murray's fifth career 40-point playoff game, breaking a tie with Alex English and Spencer Haywood (ABA) for the most such games in @nuggets history. Read and subscribe: open.substack.com/pub/statitudes…
Clutch Points: “When I got with the Lakers, I went to one of those Hollywood parties, and everybody in there was doing this new thing. … I hit that pipe and I watched my life, my merits, my career just melt down to nothing.” Spencer Haywood sheds light from a troubled chapter of his life 🗣 pic.twitter.com/Uephr3jiTr
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