Family always comes together when times get tough.

And for George Karl and his family, this is one of those times.

Weeks after he shed tears and told his team that cancer had returned to his body, Karl spoke openly about his treatment and plans to fight again as he continues to endure the rigors of life in this league.

“The basketball family has an interesting way of hating each other during competitive moments and has an incredible way of loving you when you need them,” Karl said recently, after learning he had treatable throat and neck cancer in early February.

He’s right.

Like many around the NBA, the Blazers – a team filled with Karl disciples - are keeping Coach Karl close to their hearts and in their prayers.

Nate McMillan has been calling Coach Karl frequently without little success.

Andre Miller said his mother reached out to Karl and passed along his thoughts, and was looking forward to doing so in person when Portland travels to Denver for Sunday’s game between the Blazers and the Nuggets.

For Marcus Camby, the two have swapped emails and shared hope filled memories from Karl’s bout with prostate cancer back in 2005.

“It’s a tough situation to be in. He’s been through a lot with himself and his son (Coby Karl), and now having to go through it again. I just let him know that he always has my family’s support,” said Camby, who spent six seasons in Denver.

This is a time where life is put into perspective.

“Basketball is just a game. This man is fighting for his life basically, Camby began. “He’s a fighter, and has fought his life as a player – he was a scrappy player – and now with another bout of cancer. I hate to say he has experience with it, but if anyone can get through it he can.”

After two seasons in Denver in 2002 and ’03, Juwan Howard’s second time with the Nuggets was brief -  as he only appeared in three games - but his appreciation for Coach Karl remains everlasting.

He’s never forgotten how Karl fought for him.

“You’d think we’ve known each other for a long, long time. We just clicked from day one He was one of my biggest supporters to bring me to Denver, and then when they went to release me – because of the Chauncey (Billups) trade – he was fighting hard for them to re-sign me back. ” Howard explained.

“I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears. That meant a lot to me.”

Now there’s a different kind of battle going on.

In the coming month, George Karl will undergo over 30 chemotherapy and radiation treatments – including being fed through his stomach with the treatments leaving his throat raw. He’ll miss games as the postseason draws near.

But as Coach Karl keeps the fight and hope alive during this time, the league keeps coming together for him.

“All those rivalries and emotions you see on the court, you definitely put that to the side when you hear about someone’s health,” Howard added.

“This is when we all pull together as a family.

photo: daylife

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