Tag: Willis Reed

Willis Reed, NBA HOFer, former Nets coach and GM, dies at 80

The world lost a great as former Nets head coach and general manager Willis Reed passed away on Tuesday at 80 years old.

NEW YORK — Former New York Knicks legend as well as former Nets head coach and general manager Willis Reed died on Tuesday at the age of 80, according to Don Burke of the New York Post. Reed played 10 seasons in the NBA, all for the New York Knicks.

While with the Knicks, Reed was the catalyst for the franchise winning its only two championships (1970 and 1973) and he won numerous awards in the process. Nicknamed “The Captain”, Reed won the MVP award for the 1969-1970 season and made the All-NBA team five times. Not to mention that he won Rookie of the Year for the 1964-1965 season and was named to the 50th and 75th NBA anniversary teams.

Reed most famous moment is arguably Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals when Reed played despite missing Game 6 with a torn muscle in his thigh. After Reed’s playing career ended with the 1973-1974 season, he came a coach for various teams until the 1988-1989 season when he became head coach of the then-New Jersey Nets.

After two seasons, Reed became the general manager of the Nets and drafted franchise greats like Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson. Reed had his number 19 jersey retired by the New York Knicks and will forever be known as one of the greatest to ever do it.

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Knicks icon Willis Reed is mourned by the NBA world, who recalled his legendary Game 7 heroics

Willis Reed was a legend in every sense of the word.

Willis Reed, a two-time NBA champion with the New York Knicks, died at the age of 80 on Tuesday.

A Basketball Hall of Famer and a member of both the 50th and 75th NBA Anniversary teams,  Reed is often regarded as the greatest Knicks player of all time and was named a seven-time All-Star, the 1970 NBA MVP, and a two-time NBA Finals MVP over his decade in New York.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Reed is one of only three players to win the regular season MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and Finals MVP in the same year.

The Knicks released a statement on Twitter paying tribute to the franchise icon:

“The Knicks organization is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Captain, Willis Reed. As we mourn, we will always strive to uphold the standards he left behind — the unmatched leadership, sacrifice and work ethic that personified him as a champion among champions. His is a legacy that will live forever. We ask everyone to please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”

Reed might be best known for his heroics during Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers at home in New York. After a severe thigh injury and torn muscle kept Reed out of Game 6, he surprised a raucous Madison Square Garden by playing in the climactic game.

Reed, the Knicks’ leading scorer in the series, scored on his first two shots for his only points as the Knicks went on to win 113-99 and capture the NBA title. Reed’s resolve is often credited as inspiring his teammates and is revered as a testament to toughness in athletics.

The NBA world mourned Reed’s death and remembered some of the iconic moments of his career, including that signature Game 7.

History on This Day: Knicks claim first NBA title with win over Lakers

Led by Walt Frazier and Willis Reed’s heroics, the Knicks won their first championship on this day in 1970.

On May 8, 1970, the New York Knicks claimed their first championship after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals following a tremendous performance by Walt Frazier and the heroics of Willis Reed.

Frazier led the Knicks with 36 points, 19 assists and seven rebounds during the 113-99 victory at Madison Square Garden. It was the first time in which the NBA Finals were broadcast live on TV after airing on tape delay in previous years.

While Frazier led the Knicks in Game 7, it was Reed that gave a performance for the ages.

Prior to that contest, Reed sat out Game 6 with a torn thigh muscle suffered in the previous game. He was expected to sit out Game 7 but defied the odds and took the floor, scoring the first two baskets of the game.

He eventually left later in the first half for good but his effort was deemed one of the greatest in history.

Reed was named the 1970 NBA Finals MVP after averaging 23 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists throughout the series. The Hall of Famer is considered to be one of the best to ever play, and his valiant effort in that Game 7 will forever be remembered in history.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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12 former NBA players who went on to coach for the Nets

Jason Kidd, Avery Johnson, WIllis Reed and others played in the NBA and went on to coach the Nets.

The Nets are on their 25th head coach, Kenny Atkinson. To no surprise, 11 of those coaches were former players of different levels. Here is who they are and what they did as players and coaches.

Max Zaslofsky

NBA Photo Library/NBAE via Getty Images

Max Zaslofsky was the NBA scoring champ in 1948 and an All-Star in 1952. Zaslofsky was named to the All-NBA first team in 1947–48, 1948–49 and 1949–50. He coached for two seasons in the ABA with the New Jersey Americans/New York Nets and went 53-103 before resigning in March 1969.

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