Tragic news: the Knicks head coach regretfully announced the death of their beloved player,who…
The Knicks announced on Tuesday that Willis Reed, who gave New York City sports one of its most memorable moments and was the driving force behind the team’s most recent NBA championship teams, had passed away.
Years before Derek Jeter was born, Reed, popularly known as “The Captain,” played ten seasons in the NBA, all with the Knicks, for whom he later held the positions of general manager and coach following his playing career’s conclusion in 1974.
When the Nets played in New Jersey, he also served as an executive and coach for the team. From 2004 to 2007, he worked as an executive for the New Orleans Hornets.
The Knicks released a statement saying, “We will always strive to uphold the standards he left behind as we mourn.” “His legacy will endure forever.”
In 1982, Reed became the first Knicks player to have his number retired. He was also named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history during the 1996–97 season. Reed was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
However, Reed made his mark on Madison Square Garden’s and the NBA’s hardwood history during Game 7 of the 1970 Finals.
After suffering an injury early in Game 5 against the Lakers during a drive to the basket, Reed missed Game 6 in Los Angeles as the Lakers tied the series at three games apiece. The Knicks won the game despite their star player missing out on 37, 29, 38, and 23 points in the first four games of the series.
