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