Friday, May 10, 2013

Dr. Jack Ramsay to miss remainder of NBA Playoffs, broadcast career likely over

Many people were wondering what NBA on ESPN Radio broadcasts would sound like next season when Dr. Jack Ramsay announced earlier this year this would be his last season. Now they won't have to wait so long to find out. In an unfortunate turn of events, Ramsay is in need of immediate medical treatment and will miss the remainder of the NBA Playoffs. The news was posted by ESPN at 3 AM this morning, and many people found out about it during Mike and Mike this morning on ESPN Radio. It is unknown whom ESPN will get to take over from Ramsay, though Chris Mullin has been the # analyst for games this year and could be pulled up. They could also move one of their TV analysts over to teh radio role for the conference championships. Nevertheless, ramsay's sense of humor and honest, straightforward analysis will be missed. Here is the article from ESPN.

Dr. Jack Ramsay to miss playoffs

ESPN Radio analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Dr. Jack Ramsay is in need of immediate medical treatment and will not work the remainder of the NBA playoffs.

"I need some medical treatments at this time and will be unable to work the rest of NBA postseason on ESPN Radio," Ramsay said in a statement to ESPN. "I'll miss doing the broadcasts, but I'll be watching and listening."

Ramsay, 88, did not specify his medical condition. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer 14 years ago and previously had been treated for melanomas.

Since Ramsay previously had stated this likely would be his last season in the booth, his broadcasting career likely is finished.

"Our thoughts are with Dr. Jack, who is an important member of the ESPN family," ESPN said in a statement Thursday night. "We wish him the very best."

Ramsay, a Miami Heat broadcaster from 1992 to 2000, had been scheduled to work Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Heat and Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

"I'm going back to Naples (Fla.) and will start the treatment on Monday there," Ramsay told The Miami Herald, which earlier Thursday reported that Ramsay would need immediate medical treatment. "I have a specific time period where I must have this and cannot do it if I'm traveling around. I'll miss doing the broadcasts."

In 20 full seasons as an NBA head coach, Ramsay's teams made the playoffs 16 times, highlighted by winning the 1976-77 championship with the Portland Trail Blazers. He also won a title while serving as general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1966-67 season.

In 1992, Ramsay was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with 864 regular-season coaching victories.

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