Jackson: Former Blazers Coach Jack Ramsay Likely To Retire As Broadcaster For Medical Reasons

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that former Portland Trail Blazers coach Jack Ramsay could retire from his work as a broadcaster as he deals with health problems. Ramsay, who guided the Blazers to the NBA title in 1976-77, is 88 years old and will not work the remainder of the playoffs for ESPN Radio, as was expected.

Jack Ramsay, a Hall of Fame coach and one of the most popular announcers in South Florida history, said he needs to begin immediate medical treatment and his broadcasting career is likely over.

Ramsay, 88, declined to discuss the nature of his medical condition. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999 and received treatment, several years ago, for melanomas "all over my body."

Ramsay said Thursday that the looming treatment will prevent him from working the remainder of the NBA playoffs, including The Finals, for ESPN Radio. He had been scheduled to announce Game 3 of the Heat-Bulls series on Friday. And he said he's not planning to do broadcast work next season, barring a change of heart.

ESPN.com has more.

"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 have been his last season in the booth, his broadcasting career likely is finished.

Ramsay coached the Blazers from 1976 to 1986, leading the team to the playoffs in nine of his 10 seasons on the bench. The Blazers went 453-367 (.552) under Ramsay, who is the winningest coach in franchise history. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter