LThe Sixers have a lot to think about beyond the covid of Joel Embiid or the rebellious Ben Simmons and their status on the team. Dave Jorger, assistant Doc Rivers, has announced suffering from head and neck cancer and that he leaves the discipline of the team for several weeks for the chemotherapy sessions that his treatment requires
At 47, Joerger already had a few sessions while the Sixers played at home. In fact, the assistant missed only one game for his team played outside of Philadelphia. Now the Sixers have to face a tour and it has been the moment Joerger chose to publicize his illness and step aside.
Joerger informed the Sixers players and the technical staff of his illness. after Saturday night’s game against Indiana. Before that, only a small group of people knew about the very negative diagnosis they had received, including Doc Riveryes, coach, Daryl Morey, president of operations and Josh Harris, owner.
“Dave is not only one of the most talented and respected coaches in the NBA, but he is also a great friend, a great husband and a father, “Rivers said in a statement.”The pampering positivity and enthusiasm that have made him a highly successful coach they will help you win the battle against cancer. “
The former head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings And now he polishes the technical staff of the Sixers, confirmed that his cancer was in stage 1: “We caught it soon“, deca Joerger and ESPN.”I ‘ve been very lucky. I have been given 90% options to heal, but it’s still very scary and not funny at all … I can’t go on tour and undergo radiation and chemo in different cities of the country. To continue my treatment I have to leave the team for a while. “
Joerger noticed a lump in his throat about 15 months ago and alerted his Memphis doctor. After a scan that reported a negative result He continued to monitor the lump, which unfortunately did not diminish. Five weeks later, he called his doctor again with greater concern.
“I look at my face every morning when I shave and I am very sensitive… to know that the package is there “, continued Joerger to ESPN.” We did another scan, and it was one of those days that you remember for the rest of your life. We were in Toronto and he wrote me a message: ‘We need to talk. Let’s do it right now“.
Joerger acknowledges that in large part his decision to go public with his illness is his intention to encourage people to detect early, take regular check-ups, and immediately alert doctors when you discover something abnormal in your body. “You have to react,” says Joerger.
“The first two weeks of radiation are not so terrible“said the Sixers assistant coach.” But it only gets worse when it comes to my ability to swallow, my ability to speak, my ability to retain food. It’s been nice coming to work, but it can be a bit tiring at times. “