Former Trail Blazer LeRoy Ellis, dying of cancer

[julius]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-crowe21-2009sep21,0,3884818.column

LeRoy Ellis once blocked Wilt Chamberlain's shot.

"I was sorry I did and would never do it again," the former Lakers center says, laughing. "He must have dunked on me the next five times down. He just went bang, bang, bang.

"I said to myself, 'Dang, you should have let a sleeping giant lie,' because he just went to town on me."

For the affable Ellis, this qualifies as a sweet memory.

Cancer has ravaged his body.

"It's kind of a terminal deal," the father of five says from his home in Columbia City, Ore., about 30 miles north of Portland. "The doctor is very candid. He said the only thing I really have to look forward to is getting worse."

Interesting that it seems he played in Portland for 1 season, yet lived here during his playing days (after he played in Portland) and even after returning to Southern California, apparently moved back to the Portland area.

 

[ABM]

http://www.sportstwo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147004

 

[julius]

http://www.sportstwo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147004

I didn't see that in the regular forum, since I don't consider this off topic.

 

[ABM]

I didn't see that in the regular forum, since I don't consider this off topic.

No worries. It'll probably stay here.

 

[BenDavis503]

I read it. Good read. As I said in the other thread, it seems like he is at peace with what is going on and I wish him a happy last few years of his life.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I played basketball with both LeRoy Jr and LeRon Ellis in highschool. Then LeRon transferred to a California school and their sister, Lisa, transfered to a school in Troutdale. I had a chance to meet LeRoy a few times, and he was always very nice.

 

[huevonkiller]

Poor guy, I hope his pain is minimal.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Sad to hear about Ellis. He wasn't here long, but he seemed like a class act.

I've always wondered what the real story was about the Blazers getting rid of him after just 1 season.