At 81, Dave Bing Reveals the Untold Struggles Behind a “Wasted” Career

Dave Bing entered the NBA in 1966 as a highly-touted talent, selected second overall by the Detroit Pistons.

From the start, his impact was undeniable.

He was named Rookie of the Year in 1967, led the league in scoring in 1968 with an average of 27.1 points per game, and earned seven All-Star selections along with two All-NBA First Team honors.

His accolades culminated with a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame and inclusion on the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams.

Statistically, Bing was a superstar.

Yet, despite these impressive numbers, many basketball fans have labeled his career as “wasted” due to his lack of deep playoff success.

But Bing’s own revelations shed light on why his journey was far from typical—and why his greatness deserves a broader understanding.

What most people don’t know is that Dave Bing played the majority of his career legally blind.

At just five years old, a childhood accident left him with permanent damage to his left eye.

Without access to emergency surgery, the injury healed on its own but left him with severely blurred vision.

Even with glasses, his eyesight was only 20/50, and without them, he would have been classified as legally blind.

This early challenge forced Bing to develop a unique approach to basketball.

He learned to read the game differently, relying on an internal toughness and heightened awareness that few could detect.

But his vision troubles didn’t end there.

In 1971, during a preseason game, Bing suffered a detached retina in his right eye—the one he relied on most.

The injury threatened to end his career, sidelining him for nearly three months.

Determined not to quit, Bing used his recovery time to practice free throws and prepare mentally for his return.

When he came back, he had to completely reinvent his playing style.

His peripheral vision was compromised, forcing him to identify teammates by size and uniform instead of instinct.

He transformed from an explosive scorer into a more cerebral, facilitating point guard—not by choice, but by necessity.

Bing’s physical challenges extended beyond his eyesight.

Throughout his career, he battled chronic arthritis in his knee, fractured thumbs and knuckles, and endured multiple painful injuries that would have sidelined many players.

The NBA of his era was notoriously physical and less regulated, and Bing’s aggressive style made him a frequent target.

Yet, his pain tolerance and commitment kept him on the court.

However, individual toughness could not overcome the dysfunction surrounding him.

The Detroit Pistons during Bing’s tenure were plagued by instability.

Coaching changes were frequent, and internal discord was rampant.

One coach, Donis Butcher, notoriously manipulated players by favoring each one privately, only to betray their trust when they compared notes.

This toxic environment destroyed team chemistry.

After Butcher’s departure, Paul Seymour took over and implemented a philosophy that limited Bing’s offensive opportunities, favoring forwards over guards.

The team’s roster was in constant flux, with multiple players arriving and leaving in short periods.

Bing described trying to build team cohesion in such conditions as impossible.

Despite the chaos, Bing remained a steady leader.

Known for his quiet dignity, he led by personal example and direct conversations rather than public outbursts.

He believed rapport among teammates was essential, maintaining a light atmosphere with humor and avoiding public criticism.

Still, even his positive leadership couldn’t fix the systemic dysfunction.

This instability contributed to Bing’s limited playoff success.

Over his career, his teams never advanced beyond the second round.

Though he shined individually, averaging over 28 points during the 1967 playoffs, the Pistons’ lack of cohesion and support prevented deep postseason runs.

This disparity between regular season excellence and playoff performance has fueled debates about his place among basketball’s greats.

Yet, Bing’s story transcends traditional measures of success.

After retiring from basketball, he built a thriving business empire, founding Bing Steel, which became one of the largest African-American-owned companies in the U.S.

He also served as Detroit’s mayor from 2009 to 2013 during a challenging period for the city.

His legacy is one of extraordinary perseverance, adaptability, and leadership amid relentless adversity.

From childhood vision impairment and a career-threatening eye injury to chronic pain and organizational dysfunction, Bing’s journey exemplifies resilience.

He adapted his game, endured pain that would bench modern players, and led in an unstable environment.

Bing’s career was not wasted.

Instead, it was a testament to maximizing potential despite overwhelming obstacles.

His achievements are amplified by the challenges he overcame, illustrating that greatness is not solely defined by championships or playoff runs.

At 81, Dave Bing remains a powerful example of determination and skill.

His story challenges the narrow focus on rings as the ultimate measure of success.

True greatness, Bing shows us, lies in how one rises when everything seems stacked against them.