In every form of life, Dr. Jack Ramsay was positive, intelligent and most of all passionate. His NBA brain was one of the greatest in the game, you could see it in his coaching and when he was colour commentating.
He died in the best of circumstances, in his sleep. After battling prostate and bladder cancer, melanoma and tumours in both his brain and lungs for the past 15 years he still pushed on to commentate about the game he held true to his heart. But after a bone marrow disease it proved to be too much.
He died this morning, aged 89, in Naples, Florida where he spent his final days with close friends and family reminiscing about an amazing life in which he owned.
Ramsay had a 21 season NBA coaching career. Short stints in Philly, Buffalo and Indiana lead him to his best stint. The Portland Trail Blazers.
In his first year. He won the NBA championship. In the six years prior to Ramsay taking the helm, Portland didn’t play one minute of Playoff basketball.
In the 10 years of leading the Blazers, coaching legends of the game such as Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas. Portland only missed the Playoffs once but that was due to several injured players.
He is without doubt the best coach Portland has had.
Ramsay left Portland after the 85-86 season. He went to Indy for a bit but then retired from coaching.
With a 864-783 overall record and the one championship in Portland, Ramsay was indicted into the Basketball Hall Of Fame in 1992.
Ramsay was a big believer in teamwork and voiced the teamwork aspect while commentating on ESPN Radio.
A great basketball mind and a great person overall. RIP Dr Jack Ramsay.
