TWARDZIK:"PORTLAND LOST THE TRUE LEADER OF '77 TITLE TEAM"

The Portland Trailblazers lost a legend, and one of the great people in sports with the passing today of Hall of Fame NBA Championship coach Jack Ramsay.  Ramsay passed away at age 89 in Naples, Florida suffering from several types of cancer that ultimately defeated him.

TWARDZIK BY JABBAR
Twardzik blows by Jabbar as the Blazers swept the Lakers 4-0 to advance to NBA Finals

But, nobody accepted defeat, and rose to the ultimate in victories by leading the Blazers to the 1977 NBA Title, then Jack Ramsay.

A dominant team, talented, smart, skilled, and determined to follow their new Head Coach who came to Portland from the Buffalo Braves.

PAHLISCH HOMES

One of Ramsay’s key figures in that magical 1976-77 season was point guard Dave Twardzik who came to the Northwest from the Virginia Squires of the ABA.

twardzik fight
Twardzik mixing it up with northwest rival Seattle and Dennis Johnson

Twardzik went on to be an NBA front office executive with the Warriors and most notably in Orlando buidling the Magic franchise under Dwight Howard.

TWARDZIK
Blazers win at Chicago in 1st Round Playoff series 1977

Hear Twardzik reflect on the ’77 Title, and playing for Jack Ramsay.  Twardzik also talks about comparing the Championship roster to the Blazers squad this season.

TWARDZIK PROFILE
Twardzik as Asst. GM and Special Consultant to the Orlando Magic 2004

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LES SCHWAB

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