This year’s NBA Playoffs have been rife with medical atrocities, most of which have effected players. Now, one of the league’s best basketball minds and most prominent voices is lost to health complications.
Indiana Pacers hall of fame shooting guard Reggie Miller had words of comfort for his former coach.
Dr. Jack Ramsay, who has been a fixture in the NBA for the past 45 years as a coach and a broadcasting analyst and commentator, will not be able to call the remainder of the 2013 playoffs after having to begin immediate treatment for an undisclosed health condition.
He had previously said that this would probably be his last season working in the booth, so this recent health scare
Ramsay began his career in the NBA in 1968, when he was hired to coach the Philadelphia 76ers. His coaching career included stops with the Buffalo Braves (now the Los Angeles Clippers), the Portland Trail Blazers and the Indiana Pacers.
Since hanging up his clipboard in 1988, he has since worked as a television commentator for both the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers. He has since worked with ESPN and ESPN Radio, lending his basketball wisdom to live game broadcasts.
His tenure as both a coach and a broadcaster has had an impact on many.
Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra, who has known Dr. Ramsay since he was a child (when his father Jon worked for the Portland Trail Blazers) commented on the situation.
“Even when we went to the White House earlier this year, he joined us. It would have been odd for him not to be there. I’ve known Jack since I was eight years old. He’s always been part of my organizational family.
“We’re just hoping and praying everything is OK.”
Heat play-by-play broadcaster Eric Reid also had some kind words for Dr. Ramsay.
His presence in the booth will most certainly be missed. We all wish him the best in his recovery.
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