New York Knicks Center Willis Reed Passes Away at Age 80.

Image credit: Getty images By Brandon Lee 22 March 2023

Reed is famed for overcoming a leg injury to help the New York Knicks win the 1969–70 NBA championship. He was 80.

Image credit: Getty images

Reed was the 10th overall pick in the 1964 NBA draft and played 10 seasons before becoming a coach and front-office official.

Image credit: Getty images

Yet, it was his valiant performance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals that solidified his position as one of the game's all-time greats.

Image credit: Getty images

Reed sustained a torn meniscus after dominating the Los Angeles Lakers in the first four games of the series.

Image credit: Getty images

Willis Reed missed Game 6 due to a strained thigh muscle, and his teammates were unsure if he would play.

Image credit: Getty images

However, he outjumped Chamberlain on the opening tip and scored the game's first basket, sending the Madison Square Garden audience into a frenzy.

Image credit: Getty images

Reed was an All-Star in each of his first seven seasons in the NBA, averaging 20 points and 14 rebounds per game.

Image credit: Getty images

After New York win its first championship, he was awarded Finals MVP for the second time. In 1973, the Knicks again defeated the Lakers to win the championship.

Image credit: Getty images

He coached the Knicks in 1977–78 after his playing career ended before departing the franchise 14 games into the next seasons.

Image credit: Getty images

He served as an assistant in college and the NBA before taking over the New Jersey Nets in 1988 after four seasons as the head coach at Creighton University.

Image credit: Getty images

First Child Coming for Dave Lawson and Sarah Snook

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New York Knicks Center Willis Reed Passes Away at Age 80.

Reed is famed for overcoming a leg injury to help the New York Knicks win the 1969–70 NBA championship. He was 80.

Reed was the 10th overall pick in the 1964 NBA draft and played 10 seasons before becoming a coach and front-office official.

Yet, it was his valiant performance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals that solidified his position as one of the game's all-time greats.

Reed sustained a torn meniscus after dominating the Los Angeles Lakers in the first four games of the series.

Willis Reed missed Game 6 due to a strained thigh muscle, and his teammates were unsure if he would play.

However, he outjumped Chamberlain on the opening tip and scored the game's first basket, sending the Madison Square Garden audience into a frenzy.

Reed was an All-Star in each of his first seven seasons in the NBA, averaging 20 points and 14 rebounds per game.

After New York win its first championship, he was awarded Finals MVP for the second time. In 1973, the Knicks again defeated the Lakers to win the championship.

He coached the Knicks in 1977–78 after his playing career ended before departing the franchise 14 games into the next seasons.

He served as an assistant in college and the NBA before taking over the New Jersey Nets in 1988 after four seasons as the head coach at Creighton University.

First Child Coming for Dave Lawson and Sarah Snook

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