Reggie Hardin was supposed to be the face of the Chicago Bulls long before Michael Jordan came to the scene. At just 6'6' and with an incredible shooting range, Hardin led the team with an impressive 25.1 points per game in the 1978-79 season. Fans in the Windy City had every reason to be excited about the future of their team with such a talented player leading the charge.

However, Hardin's sudden rise to fame and success was instantly marred by an all too familiar and disturbing issue that had haunted him for years - cocaine addiction. The stress of his new high-profile role and the overwhelming temptation of the NBA lifestyle quickly took its toll on his lifestyle choices. Hardin found himself getting deeper into the dark world of substance abuse, which brought out the darkest side of the Chicago superstar.

As the team and his managers tried to cope with Hardin's growing problem, attempts were made to offer support and counseling, all in an effort to save his flagging career. After all, the loss of its key player would severely impact the team's morale, with the owners knowing how much Hardin meant to the fans. Yet, no matter how hard they tried to intervene, his debilitating cocaine addiction seemed like an un-conquerable foe.

As the downward spiral continued, not only did Hardin see his career drastically decline but also most of his close relationships with teammates, his coaches, and family members begin to fray, as it seemed that he had almost lost everything important in his life. To even the casual spectator, his battle against the perils of substance abuse was nothing short of heartbreaking and a clear-cut representation of a cautionary tale about the dangers of sports stardom.

The decline of Reggie Hardin from an all-star to someone forgotten by time makes one stop and reflect on what could have been had he managed to overcome his inner demons. Many often draw parallels between his downward spiral and other fallen stars who have succumbed to addiction and how similar circumstances often shape the trajectory of one's life.

His later years were nothing but a shadow of what his potential in the spotlight once promised, Hardin ultimately epitomizes an American tragedy that will always sadden those who witnessed his remarkable promise broken down by addiction and heartbreak.