Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 29, 1990 TAG: 9005290055
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PORTLAND, ORE. LENGTH: Medium
Five months after suffering a severe brain injury in a car accident, the Portland Trail Blazers' power forward watched as his teammates prepared for tonight's Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Phoenix Suns.
"He looks real good," his close friend and Seton Hall teammate Mark Bryant said. "He looks like Ramon. He smiled as soon as he got in the locker room. It was nice to see him there in his own spot."
Ramos' jersey still hangs in the locker. He officially is a member of the team, although doctors say he almost certainly never will play professional basketball again.
The media was kept away from the practice and wasn't allowed to enter the playing area until Ramos left.
Ramos was in a coma for more than two months. Doctors say they are encouraged by the improvement he has shown since he was transferred to the Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon, where he has undergone daily physical and speech therapy.
Bryant, who visits the institute regularly, said some of the Blazers who haven't seen Ramos lately were surprised by his appearance.
"He's come a long way," Bryant said. "He's starting to talk, you know, on and off. And now he's walking."
During his hospital visits, Bryant said, Ramos has identified him by name, although he usually only talks in a whisper.
"He's said `Mark is my amigo,' " Bryant said.
The Blazers said Ramos was aware of his surroundings at the practice.
"He looked like he was familiar with the guys," Clyde Drexler said. "He didn't say much, but he looked like he was very happy."
Ramos followed the action during practice, Bryant said.
"He was looking at us running up and down the court," Bryant said.
Bryant and Buck Williams said Ramos' appearance was an emotional lift for the Blazers, who are tied 2-2 with the Suns.
"It was very inspirational for our team, and I think more than anything else it was good therapy for Ramon," Williams said. "He's played basketball all his life and to come back here and see his teammates prepare for probably one of the most important games of the series really meant a lot to him and it meant a lot to our ballclub."
The Blazers haven't forgotten Ramos.
Williams and Jerome Kersey have worn his shooting warmup in post-game interviews. He was remembered in a ceremonial opening tipoff in the series opener against Phoenix. Bryant and Wayne Cooper have launched a campaign for motorists to use seat belts.
Ramos wasn't wearing one when the sports car he was driving skidded on ice and overturned just south of Portland on Dec. 16.
Portland coach Rick Adelman said Ramos' visit was not intended to inspire his team but that it simply was in response to a request from Ramos' father.
"His father asked me a week ago if he could bring him to a practice," Adelman said. "I picked today because I thought it would be a good day for us, one where we could keep it quiet and just have him here in a relaxed situation."
Like the rest of the Blazers, Adelman said he is thrilled with Ramos' progress.
"It just makes you feel good knowing he's making a comeback like that," he said.
Bryant, though, says he always has been optimistic that his friend would improve.
"Ramon is a strong kid. He's 22 years old," Bryant said. "He always worked hard. He was always determined. I was concerned about how long it was going to take for him to make it back, but I'm not surprised."
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB