Knicks Legend Willis Reed Dies at 80

Willis Reed, who died at the age of 80 on Tuesday, was responsible for some of the greatest moments in New York Knicks history.

Per Peter Vesey, New York Knicks legend Willis Reed passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. No cause of death was disclosed but Vesey said that Reed "suffered from congestive heart problems over the past year."

Reed was one of the most famous, accomplished, and lauded names in Knicks history, leaving an impact that went far beyond his two championship rings. 

As it stands, Reed, who spent his entire playing career with the Knicks (1964-74) still ranks in the franchise's respective top ten rankings in rebounds (8,414), points (12,183), and games played (650). 

The Dubach, Louisiana native joined the team as the eighth overall pick of the 1964 NBA Draft out of Grambling and immediately made a name for himself by finishing seventh in scoring and beginning a streak of seven consecutive All-Star appearances. He was named the Rookie of the Year for his efforts, putting the Knicks on a path back to respectability after five consecutive losing seasons prior to his entry. 

Upon the arrivals of head coach Red Hotzman and Walt "Clyde" Frazier in 1967, Reed and the Knicks began to flex their muscles on a wider level: the team earned a then-franchise-best 54 wins during the 1968-69 season and took home its first playoff series victory since 1953 with a four-game sweep of the Baltimore Bullets. Three appearances in the NBA Finals awaited over the four years after, with the Knicks facing the Los Angeles Lakers each time. Reed was named the Finals MVP in the victories in 1970 and 1973. In the former case, Reed became the first player in NBA history to win the its MVP award for the regular season, All-Star Game, and Finals. 

It was in the postseason that Reed left his biggest impact, averaging 17.4 points and 10.3 rebounds over 78 playoff appearances. Reed created one of the most iconic moments in NBA history en route to the Knicks' first championship in 1970: having endured a thigh injury in the fifth of seven games against the Lakers, Reed missed the sixth game, a 22-point loss in Los Angeles. Not many expected Reed to play in the decisive game at Madison Square Garden and even fewer expected the Knicks to prevail without his services. But, minutes before tip-off, Reed to the MSG hardwood to thunderous cheers and helped the Knicks build a massive lead before Frazier's 36-point, 19-assist effort helped finish the Lakers off. The image of Reed walking on the floor has become one of the most iconic snapshots in NBA history. 

Reed took another Finals MVP home three years later, averaging 16.4 points and 9.2 rebounds while holding fellow interior legend Wilt Chamberlain to an 11.6-point average in a five-game series win.

Though Reed was forced into a relatively early NBA exit due to further injuries, he remained active in NBA affairs, beginning with a year-plus at the helm of the Knicks, succeeding Holzman. New York went 43-39 and won a playoff series in his lone full season at the helm. Reed later served as the head coach of Creighton Univeristy's men's basketball program for four seasons (1981-85) before returning as an assistant on the benches of Atlanta (1985-87) and Sacrament (1987-88).

Reed also left a major impact with the Knicks' tri-state rivals, the New Jersey Nets. After briefly serving as the team's head coach (1988-89), he played a major role in the team's front office. As the Nets' general manager (1989-96), Reed brought in future All-Stars Kenny Anderson and Derrick Coleman, as well as head coach Chuck Daly. Though he moved to the title of senior vice president of basketball operations, Reed also played a role in forming the rosters that guided the Nets to their first NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. Reed later moved on to the front office of the New Orleans Hornets before retiring in 2007.

The impact of Reed continues to be felt throughout the NBA in recent times: he was listed among the 75 greatest players in Association history in celebration of its 75th anniversary, a squad unveiled at the 2022 All-Star Game in Cleveland. Reed previously appeared on the 50th anniversary team revealed in 1997. Starting last season, the winner of the Western Conference's Southwest Division earns the Willis Reed Trophy, an honor originally won by the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Reed is survived by his wife Gale.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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