According to various sources, Knicks star Willis Reed, the finest player in the organization’s history, has died at the age of 80.
Reed has been experiencing congestive heart disease, according to longtime New York Times columnist Peter Vescey.
The Knicks have yet to remark on his death.
Simply, Willis was one of the best hoopers to ever grace the court.
Reed, a 6’10” centre, was selected tenth overall by the Knicks in the 1964 NBA Draft. Over his 10-year career, he averaged roughly 19 points and 13 rebounds per game. Willis was a seven-time All-Star, two-time NBA Finals MVP, and the 1970 NBA MVP.
Willis’ most notable performance occurred in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. With the title on the line, the Knicks and Lakers were tied at three games apiece. Reed missed Game 6 due to a significant thigh injury, and no one anticipated him to participate in the championship game.
To the surprise of thousands of Maddison Square Garden fans, Reed staggered onto the court during warmups, causing the crowd to explode. Willis scored the game’s first two points on his first two shots for the Knicks.
Willis Reed’s participation in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals was uncertain due to a right thigh injury. He then emerged from the tunnel to help lead the Knicks to their first NBA title!
Reed’s presence, on the other hand, gave his Knicks teammates the boost they needed to defeat Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry West’s Lakers squad, 113-99. It was the Knickerbockers’ first championship.
Three years later, in 1973, NYK won another championship.
Reed was hired as the Knicks’ head coach in 1977 after retiring from the NBA in 1974. His coaching tenure in New York was brief. Willis returned to college in 1981 to coach Creighton. He then worked as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks and the Sacramento Kings.
Reed was hired as the New Jersey Nets head coach in 1988, and he became an NBA head coach for the second time.
The Knicks last won a championship in 1973… and the franchise just celebrated its 50th anniversary, calling back former players like Walt Frazier. Unfortunately, Reed was unable to attend the event due to health difficulties.
The Garden played a pre-recorded greeting from the legendary hooper… and the audience loved it.
Reed is no longer with us, but his #19 will live on in the rafters of the World’s Most Famous Arena.
R.I.P.
