Former Pacers president had portion of his tongue removed days after draft
Star news report
A Former Indiana Pacers president Donnie Walsh had surgery in June to remove a cancerous portion of his tongue, the New York Post reported Sunday.
Walsh, now president of the New York Knicks, told the Post that his doctors have told him the surgery -- which took place just four days after the June 26 NBA draft -- was a success.
"My doctor says he got it all,'' Walsh told the Post. "Luckily, it was caught quickly before it could spread.''
Walsh, 67, said he is almost back to normal, that his mouth remains a little numb and his speech betrays him occasionally.
The cancer was found during a routine exam after he joined the Knicks. He conducted business as usual for several weeks, hiring a new coach (Mike D'Antoni) an conducting the draft, before having the surgery.
When told of his need for surgery, Walsh, a 50-year smoker, said "if they have to cut my tongue out, I'm going to leave New York without telling anybody, fly home to Indianapolis, go straight to my backyard and never come off the property again.''
That won't be necessary, but Walsh did tell the Post he misses being apart from his wife of 45 years. His wife, Judy, still lives in Indianapolis with their two dogs and Walsh is able to visit only occasionally for long weekends.
"I'm OK during the day when I'm working, just thinking and talking basketball,'' Walsh told the Post. "But when I get home, all I do is watch TV. I'm sick all right, sick of watching TV.''
God Bless ya Donnie.