Darius Miles: Felony Gun Charge, Another Sad Chapter for Troubled Ex-NBA Star

Former NBA star Darius Miles is in hot water with the law again, this time for trying to carry a loaded gun onto an airplane. It is the latest sad chapter for the 29-year-old, and a sign that he needs to seek professional help.

According to the report from InsideHoops.com, Miles was arrested at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport on August 3rd. The felony charge was filed on September 30th.

Miles entered the NBA out of high school in 2000, after being drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 3 pick. He had all the talent in the world, but injuries and immaturity, both on and off the court, derailed his career before it ever got started.

His most infamous on-court moment came in 2005 with Portland. He got into a heated argument with head coach Maurice Cheeks and according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com, used offensive language to belittle his coach because he felt he was being unfairly criticized for the way he played.

Off the court, Miles had numerous incidents involving drug use. He was suspended 10 games in 2008 for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He was charged with possession of marijuana in 2009.

His NBA career ended after the 2009 season due to a knee injury, and his life has been spiraling down ever since.

The felony gun charge is not likely to change the way that Miles thinks or lives his life, but he has to get people in his ear telling him that he needs to change or his future will be even more bleak than it is right now.

As is often the case with young athletes, Miles was probably just given too much too fast and had no idea how to handle all his success and fame.

Someone somewhere has to step in and do what they can to help him get his head on straight. And it needs to happen soon.