NBA legend Willis Reed, who led the New York Knicks to their only two NBA titles in the early 1970s, passed away today of heart failure. He was 80.
The Louisiana born Reed spent his entire decade long NBA career with the Knicks winning NBA Rookie of the Year honors during the 1964-1965 season. Soon he would stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Bill Bradley, Jr. and Walt "Clyde" Frazier.
Reed is best remembered for his shocking appearance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. A torn muscle in his thigh had kept Willis out of Game 6 and was not expected to play in the deciding game at Madison Square Garden. But the amazement and delight of the home crowd, Reed came on court and scored the first five points of the game. Though he would not score another point, Reed's determination in playing through a serious injury not to mention his ability to defend against Wilt Chamberlain was the spark the Knicks needed to win their first NBA title. Reed would earn another NBA championship ring three years later. It has been 50 years since the Knicks have won a championship.
Following his playing career, Reed was inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982. He served as head coach for the Knicks and New Jersey Nets while also serving as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks and the Sacramento Kings as well as coaching at the collegiate level. Reed enjoyed a long tenure as an executive with the Nets and was on hand when the team made back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003 before joining the New Orleans Hornets before retiring 15 years ago.
I leave you with Willis in his finest hour during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. R.I.P.
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