Willis Reed dead: NBA fires Hall of Famer and New York Knicks icon

Willis Reedmember of Hall of Fame and icon and pioneer of New York Knicks, died at the age of 80.

On Tuesday, March 21, the Knicks confirmed the news:As we mourn, we will always strive to live up to the standards he left us: unparalleled leadership, sacrifice and work ethic, which personified him as a champion among champions. Yours is a legacy that will live on forever.“.

Reed, who was selected with the eighth pick by the Knicks in the 1964 NBA Draftforged a legendary race in his course 10 seasons with the New York franchise.

As a rookie, Reed was selected as an All-Star and earned All-Star honors. Rookie of the Year for the 1964-1965 season. Later, he was named to six more All-Stars, added five All-NBA selections and won the MVP of the 1969-1970 season.

Reed helped led the Knicks to titles in 1970 and 1973winning it Finals MVP both times. In one of the most memorable and unlikely moments in NBA history, Reed limped out of the tunnel before the game. Game 7 of the 1970 Finals, playing that game injured and working together to get New York past the Lakers.

Cane went out of business after the 1973-1974 season and his own number 19 he was the first to retire in Knicks history.

After retirement, Reed began his career as Coach of New York in the 1977-1978 season. He also coached Creighton University between 1981 and 1985, was an NBA assistant between 1985 and 1988, and finished his career leading the Nets during the 1988-1989 season.

Reed was included in the Hall of Fame in 1982named as one of the top 50 players of the NBA in 1996 and was also a member of the team NBA 75 in 2021.

After the news of Reid’s death, the basketball world mourned his loss.