Willis Reedwho won two NBA championships in his legendary career with New York Knicks, has passed away, according to the National Basketball Retired Players Association. He was 80.
Reed played 10 seasons in the NBA from 1964 to 74, all with the Knicks. He was named to the All-NBA team five times, featured on seven All-Star teams, and won the MVP in the 1969-70 season.
At the time, unappreciated in midfield, Reed made up for that with his physicality at both ends, averaging nearly 19 points and 13 rebounds in his Hall of Fame career. His fame.
His most famous moment came in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals with Los Angeles Lakers. After a thigh injury sidelined him in the previous game, Reed shocked the Madison Square Garden crowd by stepping onto the field during the warm-up.
He scored his first two goals on the Knicks’ field and went on to win MVP in the final as the Knicks won the franchise’s first championship. Reed was again named MVP of the final two seasons later following New York’s second title.
Reed’s career was cut short by injury and he retired shortly after winning his second title. He went on to coach the Knicks for a short time before taking over at Creighton from 1981 to 85.
He eventually joined the New Jersey Nets in 1988, first as a coach and then as a member of the main office, helping build the brand into a championship contender in the early years. 2000.
