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What was the real story behind the Lewis lloyd Wiggins banishment

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by costashater2, Sep 23, 2002.

  1. costashater2

    costashater2 Member

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    I would like to know if anyone knows the inside scoop of what REALLY happened. There are a lot of stories going around and I don't believe them. How come they were not allowed to go to rehab why were they just banished, This sounds unfair to me and this cost the Rockets the 87 2nd series vs the Sonics and the 88 playoffs.
     
  2. FranchiseBlade

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    I believe at some point, at least Wiggins came back briefly.
     
  3. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"
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    Did you know Mitchell continued his career in other pro leagues? He was MVP of the Greek league in 1995-96. I always thought the world of him as a player. He was even on the US World Championship Team with Doc Rivers in 1982. They lost to the Soviets, but they were college kids and those two kind of carried that team.

    Wish I knew more about why he was banned.
     
  4. crash5179

    crash5179 Member

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    I don’t know the exact rules but back then when a player was popped for coke he was given a lifetime ban. Of course he could petition the league for reinstatement after 2 years which is what both Wiggins and Lloyd did. Wiggins had at least one year with the Rockets after his ban that he scored over 20 pts a game. I think Lewis Lloyd was a little old when he came back but after a short stint with the Rockets I think he played a while in Philly but I could be wrong about that.

    There were several players that received lifetime bans such as Roy Tarpley. He looked like hall of fame material when he got busted but was never the same when he came years later.
     
  5. mav3434

    mav3434 Member

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    Blow makes you good. Ask LT

    (j/k)

    Lew and Mitch just got drug tested at the wrong time. It was the 80's man, lots of dudes were on that stuff. Wig Man could score though. It seems like the pure scorer guy type like him, Nique, Dantley, doesn't really exist anymore.
     
  6. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    The league had information that they had been using. The Rockets and the League called them in, and asked them to admit VOLUNTARILLY that they had used, and then submit to a mandatory 30 day rehab treatment program. After the completion of the program they were to be reinstated.

    Both of them denied using, and then failed the drug test, and the league gave them a lifetime ban, which they could appeal after 2 years.

    They were incredibly stupid...not for using, but for turning down the chance at a 30 day suspension.

    A sad day in my Rocket memories.

    DaDakota
     
  7. Rudyball

    Rudyball Member

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    They both came back but never lasted longer than a month or two, from what I remeber. there was no tolerance for any drug violation inside the team. first Lucas, then Lloyd and Wiggins knocked the Rockets for a loop they didn't recover from for the rest of the eighties. Very bad timing, so to say, to have drug problems.

    lloyd was always a favorite of mine. His style was no style, playground basketball at a "high" level . "Outsniffed" his competition around the basket pretty well :D
     
  8. pippendagimp

    pippendagimp Member

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    I remember Mitch Wiggins came back for a full season with a much improved mid-range jumper. I think he even averaged like 15.5 pts that season but got a lot of flack for being really selfish on the court.
     
  9. Gypsy

    Gypsy Member

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    They played like hell against the Celtics in 86, if I remember right; that was the only series they were pretty much shut down, a huge disappointment as they were key players. I always thought it was the 'celebratory' recreation that took them out.
     
  10. NewYorker

    NewYorker Ghost of Clutch Fans

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    Sweet Lou for two no more.

     
  11. AllenLeavell

    AllenLeavell Member

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    Man they were so cool. Two hard-nosed players that could
    help Akeem get back to finals before94. But they got caught
    up with the wrong stuff. DaDakota you have a memory
    like a elephant.
     
  12. Dr of Dunk

    Dr of Dunk Clutch Crew

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    Are you talking about Wiggins? I always thought the pure scorer on those Rockets teams was Lloyd... he was the most lethal on a fast break - the guy could not be stopped especially with that dipsy-doo-layup finish he had. Watching him run on the break was fun to watch. Wiggins was a hell of a defender, though.
     
  13. mav3434

    mav3434 Member

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    I thought when Wig came back he was briefly scoring 20 off the bench for a few months there, but I could be wrong it was while ago.
     
  14. costashater2

    costashater2 Member

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    Thanks for the replies I am I little late on getting back. I don't think it was fair banning them for 2 years, If it was a star player the NBA would have looked the other way and let them complete a 30 rehab stint. Look at things now players get caufgt with mar1juana and nothing happens.
     
  15. codell

    codell Member

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    Roy Tarpley is the poster child for "throwing it all away". If that guy could have stayed clean AND healthy, he might have given Malone some competion for best PF in the West.
     
  16. Raven

    Raven Member

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    At the time this happened, it was thought another team ratted them out, in order to weaken the Rockets. I've forgotten most of the details though.

    Raven
     
  17. dwmyers

    dwmyers Member

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    Doc, I'd have to say that your memory is much like mine. Fitch had Wiggins playing glove-tight defense, and Lou could run you ragged on the break.

    Dave
     
  18. costashater2

    costashater2 Member

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    Yes Lloyd was incredible on the fast break and was called the man of a million moves when he was in Golden State. Lloyd was the master of the one legger and he had a great rainbow jumper. Lewis Lloyd to this day is the all time leader in field goal percentage for guards in NBA history, That is a big accomplishment.

    Wiggins was a great defender and was a great rebounder for a guard, Wiggins had an incredible wing span that allowed him to get a lot of offensive rebounds. Wiggins scored on a offensive rebound tip to win game 3 of the 1986 finals vs the Celtics.
     

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