Subscribe Feed (RSS)It came to me last evening, as I was interviewing Jack Ramsay during the BFT on 95.5 The Game.
Yes, they’re letting Bill Schonely broadcast some of the game. Ramsay thought that was a cool idea. Of course, we all do. But what about bringing Jack Ramsay back, digging an old pair of paisley pants out of the closet for him and letting him be with the team for a few days and then coach part of the game? I’m sure Nate McMillan wouldn’t mind — I mean, come on, it’s only an exhibition game.
I can’t imagine there would be any bigger thrill for Trail Blazer fans — or basketball fans in general — than to see Jack Ramsay for just a few minutes, down on one knee in front of a Trail Blazer bench. And you know, I think if it’s handled right, Jack would do it.
“I don’t know,” he said Monday when I asked him about it. “I think my coaching career is over.” But then he paused a little and I think considered it some. Actually, I think it would be great for Jack, too, to feel the love just one more time. There’s a whole generation of Trail Blazer fans out there who have never seen him on the sidelines.
And any exposure this team can have to the great Hall of Fame coach would show the players the championship legacy the Trail Blazers own. Honestly, a few days – even one night – with Jack Ramsay would help any team in some way.
I don’t know, maybe I’ve kind of gone wacky with this game, because going back into that building is sort of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to recapture memories that were just about gone. I just think if you’re going to go back in there and play one more time, you may as well do all you can to maximize the moment.
AND BY THE WAY: Not that it would appeal to anyone at One Center Court, but can you imagine the publicity it would generate on ESPN (Jack’s network) to have him doing this? And I’d make it clear, too, that it isn’t a publicity stunt. Make sure Jack gets a few days prior to the game with the team to leave what will be a lasting impact on the players. The Ramsay charisma and winner’s mentality is still very strong.
Tags: Bill Schonely, Dwight Jaynes, exhibition game, Jack Ramsay, Memorial Coliseum, Portland Trail Blazers
I don’t know Jack the way you do Dwight, but I didn’t think he sounded too excited about that. Maybe I am wrong, you do know him. I think it would be a great idea, maybe bring back Mike Shueler too (ok sarcasm).
As long as Dr. Jack can still kneel without medical harm, i endorse this idea.
I think a few days with Jack Ramsey is a great idea for the players and coaching staff. Although I shouldn’t have been, I was amazed at how quickly and accurately Jack rattled off home and away records for last years Blazer team, points and rebound averages for Greg Oden. His basketball mind is still as sharp as ever and you can feel the love he has for basketball.
I’m not much on pre-season basketball, but I just might buy a ticket for this one.
no need to bring back the pants. hes not a circus act. but i would love to see him on the side line one last time.
Great idea. I don’t know if the Blazer organization has much of a feel for the fact that this team is ours, the fans. Players, coaches, executives and owners will come and go but the fans are the only constant in the equation which is the Portland Trail Blazers. Having Schonely call an exhibition game and Jack Ramsey make an appearance is for us. Whatever egos, pride or other obstacles that might stand in the way of this happening are insignificant to us the fans in celebrating OUR team. I hope it happens.
That is a good idea. How about making it a reunion and bring back notable players like Walton, Petrie, Thompson, etc.? Sounds like a great marketing scheme or bring them back during the year to toss up the ball at the start of selected home games?
that would be a great idea bringing back the older players but leave mychal thompson in smell-a. although i know mychal pretty well he is a laker now and he can stay that way as far as im concerned!! at least jerome came home and back to portland as fast as he could, but mychal is a laker at heart.
Dwight, I caught the interview with Dr. Jack yesterday, good stuff. Thanks for staying classy and not asking him what he thought about taking the wrecking-ball to the M.C. That must have been hard….
“I’m sure Nate McMillan wouldn’t mind”
gotta disagree with you on that
I think Steve Blake should be the starting PG!!!
Love it Dwight. But I think if Nate missed even one qaurter of a game it would drive him crazy.Even a pre season game.But man would it be great for this team.Either way im so excited for this ,but im not going to be able to make it to the game, Anyone know if it’s going to be telivised?
As far as bringing back some old-timers, how about Don Busey, “Hammerin’” Hank McDowell, Peter Verhoeven, and Jeff Lamp?
I wear a hammerin Hank warmup to games sometimes! People think the #7 is for Roy…
Love the idea. Fantastic idea to have the doctor in the house working with this young team a day or two. Even if Jack wanted to do it tho I don’t see anyway Nate would let it happen. As much of a control freak that Nate is? I mean Nate can work with other great coaches. Olympic service proves that well enough. But this is his team. His guys. As big a control freak as he is with his own team does anyone really think he’d want another voice in the ear of his guys even for a scant two days of pre-season? I don’t. I think it would cause another controversy too. Also after 2-3 days of the good Dr. and a pre-season game. Myself and a ton of others would start a bring back Jack campaign and then where would Sarge be? His year to year, moment to moment contract as coach might not look so good then, is all I’m saying. Of course maybe someone else has some ulterior motive here as well? So yes! Bring back Jack!
Maybe ask John McLeod to patrol the Phoenix sidelines as well?
It would be one thing if he was down with it, but he didn’t sound like he really wanted to do that. I think it is because Jack coached as long as he wanted and he left the game of coaching on his own terms.
Schonley did not leave on his own terms and struggled. That must have been a hard pill to swallow, and I am sure in his mind he still had some games left to announce. I imagine schonley’s perception about participating in this game is a bit different than Dr. Jack
Also, even though this is pre-season, this is a big year for our blazers. Much is on the line here and although the franchise is celebrating 40 great years, the players and coach have this year on their minds.
You don’t see Bill Parcells coaching a Giant exhibition game, and I really don’t see Jack wanting to do a Blazer exhibition game
Even if he didn’t coach, he should be there. But the coaching idea is fabulous.
Lets go all the way Dwight, Schonley calling the game,Ramsey coaching the game, and you cover it for the Oregonian.
Sure, having Ramsey on the sidelines would be fun for nostalgia… What I really want to see is the influence he could have on this young team… Pay him for his time, even… Just get him in the same gym as our boys and see what he can do for them.
Great idea. Make it be so KP. Who would have the gonads to complain or put up roadblocks to that one?
@Bruce that was very funny about Dwight covering it for the Oregonian.
I think seeing Jack Ramsay back on the sidelines with his plaid pants might just give me a boner.
ROTFL, barry the muslim. I remember 1977 fondly as well, but not THAT fondly.
too far
I like the idea of an appearance and some participation, but I don’t like the suggestion that he has something to offer the current players. Any participation should be seen as a tribute to the past just as it is to play the game in the MC. The game has evolved in the thirty plus years since Jack Ramsey coached in Portland and to suggest that a coach who has been away from the game so long is the equivalent of an experienced and successful coach of today would be like suggesting that the Memorial Coliseum is somehow the equivalent to the Rose Garden.
Just as Michelangelo was hack sculptor, the Taj Mahal really sufffers for not having air conditioning units on its roof, and the Constitution would read much better if it was written in text messaging format.
Hey why not take it a step further and bring the whole ‘77 team back and have them play part of the game? I’m sure our boys wouldn’t mind and it would really show them the championship legacy of the Portland Trail Blazers of yore. Nothin’ like the golden days, back when reporters were reporters and players were players and men were men, eh Dwight?
Half-time: Blazer alumni vs Phoenix alumni…just tossing out ideas…That’s where Ramsey and McLeod can coach…
Don’t the Blazers already have an alumni team?? I know they used to.
Would love to see it. Would bring back lot of memories of watching the Blazers from section 73 of the MC.