On Tuesday morning, March 21, news of Willis Reed’s sudden demise hit the NBA community. The legendary NBA star passed away at the age of 80, and according to NBA Reporter Peter Vecsey, Willis Reed’s cause of death could be heart failure.
Willis Reed was one of the greatest players in NBA history. A seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA champion, Reed was a dominant force on the court during his career. In this article, we’ll look at the top five moments in the Hall of Famer’s NBA career.
- Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals: The most famous moment in Willis Reed’s career came in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. Reed injured his thigh in Game 5 of the series and was expected to miss Game 6 and possibly Game 7. However, Reed decided to play through the pain and famously limped onto the court for warmups before the game. The Madison Square Garden crowd went wild as they saw their captain come out to play. Reed hit his first two shots of the game, inspiring the Knicks to a 113-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and their first NBA championship.
- Winning the NBA Finals MVP Award in 1970: Reed’s heroics in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals earned him the NBA Finals MVP Award. He averaged 23 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in the series, leading the Knicks to their first championship. Reed’s performance in Game 7 is considered one of the greatest moments in NBA history, and it cemented his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.
- Leading the Knicks to their second championship in 1973: In 1973, Reed led the Knicks to their second NBA championship. He averaged 20.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in the postseason and was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the second time in his career. Reed’s leadership and clutch play were instrumental in the Knicks’ championship run, and he solidified his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
- Winning the NBA All-Star Game MVP Award in 1970: Reed was named the MVP of the 1970 NBA All-Star Game, which was played just a few months before his legendary Game 7 performance in the NBA Finals. Reed scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Eastern Conference to a 142-135 victory over the Western Conference. The All-Star Game MVP Award was just one of many accolades Reed received during his career, but it was a testament to his versatility and skill on the court.
- Setting a career-high in scoring in 1969: On December 8, 1969, Reed scored a career-high 46 points in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He also grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked three shots in the game, which the Knicks won 123-118. Reed’s performance was one of the best of his career, and it showcased his ability to dominate on both ends of the court.
Meanwhile, tributes have started pouring in for the late hooper. Lakers superstar LeBron James and NBA commissioner Adam Silver are among those in the NBA community who have sent their condolences to Reed’s family.
