Long-time NBA reporter dies of leukemia

Associated Press

HOUSTON

Craig Sager never once thought about giving up as he battled cancer for more than two years.

“Man, life is too beautiful, too wonderful, there’s just too many things,” he said in late August. “It’s not just you. It’s your family and kids and all. Fight. Fight until the end. Fight as hard as you can.”

The end for the beloved TNT broadcaster came Thursday when the man known as much for his outrageous wardrobe as his relationships with the NBA’s elite succumbed to the disease he fought so hard to overcome. Turner Sports announced his death without disclosing details. He was 65 and had worked basketball games for TNT for nearly a quarter-century.

“Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us,” Turner President David Levy said. “There will never be another Craig Sager. His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports.”

His son, Craig Jr., posted a loving video tribute to his father, tweeting: “We packed a lifetime and then some into these 28 years together.”

Sager’s passing brought out condolences from every corner of the NBA and Hall of Famer Larry Bird expressed what many were feeling.

“He was as identifiable with the NBA as any player or coach,” Bird said. “The league will not be the same without him.”

Magic Johnson echoed those sentiments on Twitter.

“The NBA family lost a legend who changed the way sideline reporters did their job. RIP Craig Sager,” Johnson said.

It wasn’t just the NBA community that mourned his passing, with Vice President Joe Biden and Drake expressing sadness at the loss.

Sager had two bone marrow transplants with his son as the donor before undergoing a third one from an anonymous donor at the end of August in Houston to fight an aggressive form of leukemia. To no one’s surprise, he was characteristically cheerful .

“It really isn’t all that painful, not physically,” he said then. “I think the hardest toll is mentally and emotionally. I have this thing of positive thinking. I think if you think something is going to be right and you think positive then you feel that way and if you feel that way you’ll act that way. I try not to get down.”

Sager announced in April 2014 that he had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and he missed the playoffs and much of the following season as he underwent the first two transplants. Sager revealed in March 2016 that his leukemia was no longer in remission. He said doctors told him the typical prognosis was three to six months to live, but “I am receiving the best treatment in the world and I remain fully confident I will win this battle.”

His battle brought out the soft side of Gregg Popovich, the prickly San Antonio Spurs coach with whom he had many memorable exchanges during in-game interviews.

Sager never faulted Popovich for his gruff attitude during those interviews, saying “he’s trying to win a game. He doesn’t want to talk to some reporter.” But he said they had a great relationship.

“Later, he said, ‘You’re still going to be media on the court, but off the court can I call you and see how you’re doing?’ I said: ‘Heck yes,”’ Sager recalled in August. “Just keep treating me the way on the court you always do. He said: ‘I wouldn’t want it any other way.”’

Popovich didn’t take questions from reporters prior to Thursday night’s game in Phoenix. Instead, he walked out of the visiting locker room and, with a somber tone, spoke only of Sager for close to two minutes.

“A day like this, basketball has to take a back seat, as we all think about somebody who was very unique, very special,” Popovich said.