JACK-RAMSAY-052207.JPG

Jack Ramsay is battling marrow syndrome, a nasty condition that inhibits the bodyAC/AAs ability to produce sufficient blood cells.

(The Associated Press/2007)

I talked to Dr. Jack earlier this week to get his thoughts on this surprising

season, and the most revered coach in franchise history

.

One thing I didn’t talk much about was his health.

It’s not good.

In May, Jack Ramsay

from his long-term role as a radio commentator with ESPN because of health issues, and his condition has only worsened since. During our talk, Ramsay was effusive in his praise for coach Terry Stotts and this Blazers team, but he was tight-lipped about his health.

“I don’t want to get into it,” he told me in a phone interview Tuesday. “It’s not good.”

Ramsay is battling marrow syndrome, a nasty condition that inhibits the body’s ability to produce sufficient blood cells. When he retired in May, Ramsay retreated to his Naples, Fla., home for treatment.

But as his condition worsened, Ramsay was forced to temporarily relocate to Paoli, Pa., because of its proximity to the University of Pennsylvania, where he is undergoing medical treatment. The university features a well-regarded cancer treatment center, the Abramson Cancer Center.

Ramsay, 88, has battled multiple forms of cancer over the years, and has met each life-threatening challenge with the same tenacity he had in leading the Blazers during the pinnacle of their success. But his latest health issue is perhaps the most humbling and debilitating challenge he’s faced.

“I’m holding the fort,” Ramsay said, when asked how he was doing. “And that’s as much as I can hope for right now.”

-- Joe Freeman