The NBA lost a legendary coach with the recent passing of Dr. Jack Ramsey. Ramsey coached the Portland Trailblazers to the 1977 NBA Championship, the only in franchise history. That year the Blazers pulled off one of the most surprising upsets in NBA history. Portland fell behind 2-0 to the talent laden Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers were led by Julius Erving, the most exciting player in the NBA at the time. Julius had recently joined the NBA following the league merger.
Philadelphia was considered the most talented team in the league at the time. However, the team lacked continuity. Portland was led by Bill Walton. Bill is one of the most unselfish players to ever participate in the NBA. He and Dr. Ramsey schemed up a brilliant game plan that resulted in the Blazers winning four consecutive games and closing out the 76ers in six games.
Dr. Ramsey was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. He retired in 1988 as the second winningest coach in NBA history. Dr. Ramsey is often forgotten in terms of the greatest coaches since the leagues inception.
Pat Riley and Red Holzman both accredit much of their success in the NBA to Dr. Ramsey. He was one of the first coaches to implement physical fitness drills during practice sessions. The show time Lakers were a better basketball team because of what Riley learned from Dr. Ramsey. If he had coached in today's NBA Dr. Ramsey would likely have had even more success on the sideline. His style was tailor made for today's athletes.
Dr. Ramsey coached St Joseph's to their only Final Four appearance in school history in 1961. During his later years his basketball expertise was on full display on NBA TV. He never lost his zest for the game in his old age.
The NBA is a better league because of the contributions of Dr. Jack Ramsey.
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: @NYsteve8Follow me on INSTAGRAM: NYsteve8
No comments:
Post a Comment