Willis Reed Passes Away At 80, Twitter Salutes the New York Knicks Legend
Source: Ross Lewis / Getty
The New York Knicks are sadly saying goodbye to a legend.
Hall of Famer Willis Reed has passed away at the age of 80. The Grambling State product led the Knicks to their two only championships in 1970 and 1973.
The New York Knicks released a statement on what Reed meant to the organization and the huge part he’s played in their success.
“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,” the Knicks said in a statement. “His is a legacy that will live forever. We ask everyone to please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
As a Knickerbocker, Reed racked up plenty of achievements like being named the finals MVP for both his championships, the regular season MVP in 1970, a seven-time all-star, an All-Star game MVP, All-NBA First Team and Rookie of the Year in1965.
All those accolades rightfully ended with his No.19 jersey being retired by the Knicks in 1976.
His most memorable moment came when he brought the Knicks their first championship in 1970 as he led them to the promised land against the Los Angeles Lakers, who were stacked with Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West. Despite suffering a thigh injury in Game 5 and a torn muscle, he somehow played in Game 7.
Reed still managed to limp onto the court and score the game’s first two baskets. After that, he wouldn’t score again, but the energy he injected into the team was invaluable. Teammate Walt Frazier took over from there and finished the game with 36 points and 19 assists, ultimately winning the championship 113-99.
“Willis Reed was the ultimate team player and consummate leader. My earliest and fondest memories of NBA basketball are of watching Willis, who embodied the winning spirit that defined the New York Knicks’ championship teams in the early 1970s,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “He played the game with remarkable passion and determination, and his inspiring comeback in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals remains one of the most iconic moments in all of sports.”
See how Twitter celebrated the life of the legendary Willis Reed below.
1.
There have been greater players than Willis Reed.
There has never been a greater leader.
Rest in peace, Captain.
Fans of the #Knicks will love you until the end of time. pic.twitter.com/7lNNI1y0eG— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) March 21, 2023
2.
Willis Reed is a legend in every sense of the word. A humble gentleman, great player and champion. I had the honor of meeting Willis when I covered the Nets and he was the GM. An absolute joy to be around. A statue at MSG is long overdue. RIP to a New York icon. pic.twitter.com/FnDCHtkzxd
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) March 21, 2023
3.
Willis Reed once fought the entire Lakers team, breaking the jaws of 2 different players.
Legend. pic.twitter.com/R8i3Zfo76h
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) March 21, 2023
4.
Rest in peace, Willis Reed. pic.twitter.com/aK8VsfQFzy
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) March 21, 2023
5.
The basketball world has lost a true legend. It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Hall of Famer Willis Reed. His impact on the sport as a player and as a team leader changed the landscape of professional basketball forever. pic.twitter.com/AFESWz6vI0
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) March 21, 2023
6.
Willis Reed has passed away at the age of 80. A gentle giant. A huge loss for the NBA family.
Rest easy, Willis… pic.twitter.com/g2NlBtXfSG
— Rex Chapman
(@RexChapman) March 21, 2023
7.
Only 6 MVPs in the 76-year history of the NBA have passed away:
– Wilt Chamberlain
– Wes Unseld
– Moses Malone
– Kobe Bryant
– Bill Russell
– Willis ReedAs time goes on in this relatively new sport, the list will grow. So appreciate these legends while they’re still around.
pic.twitter.com/z0NU8Gwzwu
— Slam (@slamstudios) March 21, 2023
8.
Earlier, our @BobbyMarks42 joined NBA Today to remember Willis Reed: a mentor, friend and Hall of Famer who always carried a blue Sharpie. Beautiful story from Bobby: pic.twitter.com/psOTZUZ6DM
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) March 22, 2023
9.
RIP Willis Reed: two-time champ, New York icon, underrated star during an impossible center era. His Game 7 1970 entrance is one of the 20th century’s greatest sports moments and endures in such a unique way. Here’s what I wrote about him in my book. pic.twitter.com/PqCKEOYsIb
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 21, 2023
10.
Players to win All-Star MVP, NBA MVP, and NBA Finals MVP in the same season
• Willis Reed
• Michael Jordan
• Shaquille O’NealRIP to a legend. pic.twitter.com/5bVGM71u4p
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) March 21, 2023
11.
“I just want to say that I’m so proud I was a member of the championship team in the best city in the world with the best fans in the world”
—Willis Reed last month in a video message played at Madison Square Garden during the 1973 Knicks championship 50th anniversary event. RIP pic.twitter.com/LFTKJNxAPA
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 21, 2023
12.
Willis Reed has reportedly died at age 80.
RIP to a basketball legend. pic.twitter.com/n80eiet0aE
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) March 21, 2023
13.
WILLIS REED. THE TUNNEL. WHAT A MOMENT. pic.twitter.com/kPXNEM9DMf
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) March 21, 2023
