On Monday Willis Reed, a Basketball Hall of Famer and New York Knicks legend, had passed away at the age of 80. Although Reed was undergoing rehab to walk due to congestive heart problems, the cause of his death is currently unknown.
Throughout his entire 11-season NBA career, which spanned from 1964 to 1974, Reed played for the Knicks and was considered one of the most dominant big men of his era, averaging 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. He was a seven-time All-Star and a five-time All-NBA member who led the Knicks to their only two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973, winning Finals MVP both times.
Reed’s most memorable moment in basketball history occurred during Game 7 of the 1970 Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite suffering from a torn thigh muscle that had forced him to miss Game 6, Reed limped onto the court to a thunderous reception, which many believed to be the sparkplug for the Knicks’ 113-99 triumph.
