James takes drugs and never gets tested for drugs? Do you believe it? Science and Technology NBA drug testing procedures

As the recent allegations of LeBron James involving steroids have spread widely online, many questions about how the NBA will conduct drug tests. This episode will give you a brief science to popularize the NBA's drug test procedures.

Drug Test Type

According to Article 33 of the 2023 NBA Labor and Capital Agreement, the following types of drug testing exist in the NBA:

Random Test: A player can be randomly tested up to four times per season, while offseason testing is limited to up to two times per player. In addition, the player has no prior notice of random testing.

Reasonable cause detection: When an NBA/player has reasonable reasons to suspect that the player is using drugs, reasonable cause detection can be conducted. There is no set limit on the frequency of such tests.

Rookies and Veterans Tests: Rookies entering the NBA may be tested multiple times in their first season. They are subject to particularly scrutiny under the provisions of randomized testing and reasonable suspicious testing.

Stimulants (PED 's): Each player is tested randomly multiple times during the season, including blood tests for human growth hormone (HGH). Players may also undergo additional stimulant tests if there is suspicion or evidence of use.

Synthetic Cannabinoids: The detection of synthetic cannabinoids is included in the randomized test items. There is no separate test count limit – the general test count limit of up to four times per season.

Other basis: Players may also be tested before evaluation, physical examination, draft or during reinstatement.

Mainly speaking, the detection involves urine samples, and the blood samples are used to detect HGH and related substances. Players will be informed of the positive test results in a confidential manner.

Prohibited substances include:

· Drugs of abuse (e.g. cocaine, opioids)

· Stimulants (e.g. steroids, HGH)

· Synthetic cannabinoids

· Other banned substances that the league has regularly updated

It is also important to note that under the NBA's random drug testing policy, marijuana is no longer a banned substance. The NBA and NBPA agreed to suspend random testing of marijuana from the 2021-22 season.

Alcohol-related issues are addressed through mandatory consultation and treatment, rather than through strict disciplinary measures.

Punishment of positive test results or failure to comply with regulations can lead to compulsory treatment planning, consultation, fines, bans, and even removal from the NBA. The severity of the

penalties vary significantly depending on the type of drug involved and the frequency of violations.

Substance abuse:

First violation: Forced joining the consultation and rehabilitation program.

Subsequent violations: May result in fines, long-term bans, and possible NBA delisting.

Stimulants (PEDs):

First Violation: Minimum ban of 25 games.

Second violation: 55 games suspended.

Third Violation: Minimum ban on two years or permanent disqualification.

Synthetic Cannabinoids:

Penalties are very close to those for substance abuse and can lead to significant suspensions and compulsory treatment.

Refusal to test or fail to test

A player who refuses or fails to provide the requested sample—urinary or blood—or attempts to manipulate, replace, dilute or otherwise tamper with the sample will be deemed to have tested positive.

Such refusal will be immediately deemed to be a violation of the NBA's anti-drug program and result in disciplinary action.

This violation will be subject to the same penalties as a positive test result for a specific category of substances designed to be tested.

Recent notable "random" drug tests

Although as mentioned earlier, the NBA stated that most drug tests are random, there have been multiple instances that NBA stars have been tested after making amazing performances. For example, in 2023, Lillard, who played for the Portland Trail Blazers, was tested for drugs immediately after a 71-point game. After the game, Lillard said this was the first time in his career that he had received a drug test immediately after the game.

Earlier that season, Cleveland Cavaliers star Mitchell also received a test after scoring 71 points. There are other examples where players have been tested after performing well—for example, after Corey Brewer scored 51 points in 2014, and after Bradley Bill scored 50 points in 2020. While these drug tests don’t seem like a coincidence, in 2023, an NBA spokesperson told Fox Sports that in fact, they were purely coincidences.