old blazer doctor

by bustabucket18 on Oct 20, 2007 8:29 AM PDT

So, right now I work at Cherry Wood Village, a retirement/assisted living facility next to Mall 205. One of the residents there is a retired doctor, Dr. Katsumi Jim Nakadate. He told me he used to be a a doctor for the Trailblazers. Now, most of the residents there have pretty sever dementia. Though this gentleman does not, I was pretty skeptical at first. Then I asked what he did for the team, and he said he and Dr. Bucky Shields, were the team doctors and whenever a player was hurt they would take them back into the locker room. I asked when this was and he said 1974-1976, and then he said "WE WERE CHAMPIONS!" I asked him if he remembers any of the players and he said no.

Is there a list anywhere of former blazer doctors? I'm pretty sure I believe him, but you'd be amazed about what some of the residents make up. I'm only 21, but does anyone who was a blazer follower during the 70s recall ever hearing of one of those doctors?

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I was around back then,

but the only name that comes to mind is the infamous Dr. Cook whose actions resulted in Walton bailing out on the Blazers.

You might ask Dr. Nakadate if he remembers Cook. If Cook were on board in 1976 (he certainly was there for the '76/'77 team), then I'd think he should remember him.

by TwoDeep on Oct 20, 2007 9:20 AM PDT reply actions

You might also ask if he remembers..

the name of the athletic trainer: Ron Culp.

Ron was with the team from '74 - '87, and absolutely would have been one of the guys assisting injured players back into the locker room.

-t

by webted on Oct 20, 2007 11:09 AM PDT reply actions

I googled his name

and the first thing that came up was an article about him by his son (it was a pdf so that's why I didn't link it). He was an anesthesiologist, and no mention of the Blazers. He went fly fishing (pretty sure it was fly fishing) a lot, until he couldn't anymore. so if you have any interest in fly fishing, that may be something to talk about.

Believer, you have forgotten the true meaning of Alvis Day. Neither is it ham, nor pomp. Nay, the true meaning of Alvis day is drinking. Drinking and revenge.

by supremepuntiff on Oct 20, 2007 11:41 AM PDT reply actions

give the guy a break

He was there. He was one of the team doctors. He treated players in the locker room when they got hurt during games. He probably traveled with them and everything. If he says he did then he did. Why would you be skeptical? That guy's had a great life and now he wants someone to hear about some of it. See if you can take him to a game.

When church and state marry, the devil pays for the reception.

by fisheyes on Oct 20, 2007 6:38 PM PDT reply actions

Skepticism not all bad

I think he explained why he was a bit skeptical of the story. It didn't sound like the goal was to shove it in the guy's face if the story wasn't true. Having confirmation of the story's validity would give it a bit more meaning in a setting where people suffer from dementia.

by tssbro on Oct 21, 2007 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions