Willis Reed
New Jersey Nets | |||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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Career NBA statistics | |||||||||||||||
Points | 12,183 (18.7 ppg) | ||||||||||||||
Rebounds | 8,414 (12.9 rpg) | ||||||||||||||
Assists | 1,186 (1.8 apg) | ||||||||||||||
Stats at NBA.com | |||||||||||||||
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |||||||||||||||
Basketball Hall of Fame as player | |||||||||||||||
College Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 2006 | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Willis Reed Jr. (June 25, 1942 – March 21, 2023) was an American professional
After retiring as a player, Reed served as assistant and head coach with several teams for nearly a decade, then was promoted to general manager and vice president of basketball operations (1989–1996) for the
Early life
Born on June 25, 1942, in
Reed attended
Professional career
New York Knicks (1964–1974)
The
For a few years, the Knicks struggled while adding valuable players through trades and drafts. Midway through the 1967–68 season, Dick McGuire was replaced as coach with Red Holzman. The Knicks had accumulated a 15–22 record under McGuire but then in the part of the season that Holzman led them achieved a 28–17 record, for a 43–39 season, its first winning record since the 1958–59 season.[7]
Reed continued to be selected annually for the NBA All-Star Game. By that time he was playing as a power forward to open up the center position for Walt Bellamy.[8] Reed averaged 11.6 rebounds in 1965–66 and 14.6 in 1966–67, both ranked top 10-best in the league. He averaged 20.9 points in the latter season.[9]
In 1968–69, the Knicks had traded Bellamy and Howard Komives to the Detroit Pistons for Dave DeBusschere, allowing the Knicks to move Reed back to center.[8] New York's defense surrendered a league-low 105.2 points per game. For five of the next six seasons, the Knicks were the best defensive team in the league, with Reed in the middle and additional defensive efforts by Walt Frazier.[8] Reed scored 21.1 points per game in 1968–69 and grabbed a franchise-record 1,191 rebounds, with an average of 14.5 rebounds per game.[9]
In the 1969–70 season, the Knicks won a franchise-record 60 games and set a then single-season NBA record with an
Reed's most famous performance happened on May 8, 1970, in game seven of the 1970 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers in Madison Square Garden.[10] Due to a severe thigh injury, a torn muscle that had previously kept him out of game six, he was considered unlikely to play in game seven. However Reed surprised the fans by walking onto the court during warmups, prompting widespread applause. Starting the game, he scored the Knicks' first two field goals on his first two shot attempts, his only points of the game.[8] Reed played 27 minutes, finishing with four points and three rebounds.[11] After the game in the winner's locker room, a moved Howard Cosell told Reed on national television, "You exemplify the very best that the human spirit can offer."[12]
The Knicks slipped to a 52–30 record in the 1970–71 season; despite this, the Knicks took first place in the Atlantic Division. In the middle of the season against the
The 1972–73 Knicks' season concluded with a 57–25 record, and they proceeded to win another NBA championship.[16] Averaging only 11.0 points in 69 regular season games, Reed's contribution was a far cry from his record two seasons prior. In the playoffs, the Knicks defeated the Bullets and upset the Boston Celtics, and again faced the Lakers in the NBA Finals. After losing the first game, the Knicks won four straight, securing their second NBA championship with a 102–93 victory in game five, as Reed scored 18 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and recorded seven assists in the deciding victory.[17] After the win, Reed was named NBA Finals MVP.[18]
Reed's career was cut short by injuries, and he retired after the 1973–74 season.[19] For his career Reed averaged 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, playing 650 games. He played in seven All-Star Games.[20]
Coaching career
Reed spent several years coaching before moving into general management.
New York Knicks (1977–1978)
He coached the Knicks in 1977–1978, and left the team 14 games into the following season (49–47 record).
Creighton (1981–1985)
He was the head coach at
Atlanta Hawks (1985–1987)
Reed served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks from 1985 to 1987.[13]
Sacramento Kings (1987–1988)
Reed served as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings from 1987 to 1988.
New Jersey Nets (1988–1989)
Reed debuted as head coach of the
Executive career
New Jersey Nets (1989–2004)
In 1989, he stepped down as coach and became the Nets' vice president of basketball and business development.[22] He was given the responsibility for personnel in 1993, receiving a three-year contract extension and gaining general manager duties.[23] During that time, he drafted Kenny Anderson and Derrick Coleman,[8] acquired Dražen Petrović, and made the Nets a playoff contender throughout the early 1990s. Chuck Daly was hired by Reed to coach the Nets for the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons.[8] In 1996, Reed was promoted to senior vice president of basketball operations, while continuing his goal of turning the Nets into championship contenders.[8] They made the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.[1]
New Orleans Hornets (2004–2007)
Reed then became the vice president of basketball operations with the
Legacy
- In 1970, Reed was inducted into the NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame[26]
- In 1982, Reed was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame[27]
- In 1997, Reed was elected to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team[28]
- In 2021, Reed was elected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team[29]
- The March 16, 2022, game between Kent State and Southern Utah at The Basketball Classic was designated the Willis Reed Game.[30]
- Starting with the 2021–22 NBA season, the NBA Southwest Division champion would receive the Willis Reed Trophy.[31]
In popular media
Rap songs have mentioned Reed, recognizing his impressive athleticism and skill. Examples include Kurtis Blow's 1984 hit "Basketball"[32] on his Ego Trip album, and the Beastie Boys' "Long Burn The Fire" on their 2011 album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two.[33]
Reed's name has become synonymous with playing through injury, as Cris Collinsworth described an injured Aaron Rodgers as having a "Willis Reed kind of night" on the NBC Sunday Night Football broadcast on September 9, 2018.[11]
Personal life
Reed and his first wife, Geraldine Oliver, married when both were still attending Grambling State University. They had two children, Karl Vance and Veronica Marie, and the marriage ended in divorce.[2] He then married Gale Kennedy, a nurse, in 1983. The wedding was held in Roslyn Heights, New York.[34]
Reed died from heart failure in Houston, Texas, on March 21, 2023, at age 80.[1][35]
NBA career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
† | Won an NBA championship | * | Led the league |
Source:[9]
Regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1964–65 | New York | 80* | — | 38.0 | .432 | — | .742 | 14.7 | 1.7 | — | — | 19.5 |
1965–66 | New York | 76 | — | 33.4 | .434 | — | .757 | 11.6 | 1.2 | — | — | 15.5 |
1966–67 | New York | 78 | — | 36.2 | .489 | — | .735 | 14.6 | 1.6 | — | — | 20.9 |
1967–68 | New York | 81 | — | 35.5 | .490 | — | .721 | 13.2 | 2.0 | — | — | 20.8 |
1968–69 | New York | 82 | — | 37.9 | .521 | — | .747 | 14.5 | 2.3 | — | — | 21.1 |
1969–70† | New York | 81 | — | 38.1 | .507 | — | .756 | 13.9 | 2.0 | — | — | 21.7 |
1970–71 | New York | 73 | — | 39.1 | .462 | — | .785 | 13.7 | 2.0 | — | — | 20.9 |
1971–72 | New York | 11 | — | 33.0 | .438 | — | .692 | 8.7 | 2.0 | — | — | 13.4 |
1972–73† | New York | 69 | — | 27.2 | .474 | — | .742 | 8.6 | 1.8 | — | — | 11.0 |
1973–74 | New York | 19 | — | 26.3 | .457 | — | .792 | 7.4 | 1.6 | .6 | 1.1 | 11.1 |
Career | 650 | — | 35.5 | .476 | — | .747 | 12.9 | 1.8 | .6 | 1.1 | 18.7 | |
All-Star | 7 | 4 | 23.0 | .452 | — | .750 | 8.3 | 1.0 | — | — | 12.6 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1967 | New York | 4 | — | 37.0 | .538 | — | .960 | 13.8 | 1.8 | — | — | 27.5 |
1968 | New York | 6 | — | 35.0 | .541 | — | .733 | 10.3 | 1.8 | — | — | 21.3 |
1969 | New York | 10 | — | 42.9 | .510 | — | .786 | 14.1 | 1.9 | — | — | 25.7 |
1970† | New York | 18 | — | 40.7 | .471 | — | .737 | 13.8 | 2.8 | — | — | 23.7 |
1971 | New York | 12 | — | 42.0 | .413 | — | .667 | 12.0 | 2.3 | — | — | 15.7 |
1973† | New York | 17 | — | 28.6 | .466 | — | .857 | 7.6 | 1.8 | — | — | 12.8 |
1974 | New York | 11 | — | 12.0 | .378 | — | .600 | 2.0 | .4 | .2 | .0 | 3.4 |
Career | 78 | — | 33.9 | .474 | — | .765 | 10.3 | 1.9 | .2 | .0 | 17.4 |
References
- Footnotes
- ^ a b c d Araton, Harvey (March 21, 2023). "Willis Reed, Hall of Fame Center for Champion Knicks, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ a b c Willis Reed Jr. (March 10, 1977). "Pride Is His Spur". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ a b "NBA Bio: Willis Reed". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on September 1, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ "Willis Reed". Blue Phi. December 18, 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ The Capital Journal from Salem, Oregon · 22 Archived March 21, 2023, at the Wayback Machine (subscription required)
- ^ Concord Transcript from Concord, California (subscription required)
- ^ Burke, Don (March 22, 2023). "NBA Hall of Fame legend Willis Reed dead at 80". News.com.au.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Legends profile: Willis Reed". National Basketball Association. September 13, 2021. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Willis Reed Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ "Top NBA Finals moments: Hobbled Willis Reed inspires Knicks' victory in Game 7". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ a b Tomasson, Chris (September 11, 2018). "Did Aaron Rodgers have a Willis Reed moment? Reed weighs in". Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ "'Our Captain': Knicks, NBA world react to death of Willis Reed". Fox Sports. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ a b "Legends profile: Willis Reed". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ "Where there's a Willis". Sports Illustrated. May 21, 1973. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ISBN 978-0-7864-9334-0. Archivedfrom the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ "Season Review: 1972–73". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ "1973 NBA Finals Game 5: Knicks vs Lakers, May 10, 1973". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ Magliocchetti, Geoff (March 21, 2023). "Knicks Legend Willis Reed dies at 80". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ "Willis Reed dies at 80: NBA world mourns loss of Knicks icon and Basketball Hall of Famer". sportingnews.com. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ "Revisiting Willis Reed's Game 7 performance: What you didn't know about Knicks legend's battle vs. Lakers". sportingnews.com. March 22, 2023. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ Baker, Chris (March 1, 1988). "Clippers to Play Willis Reed's Nets in New Jersey". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
- ^ "Willis Reed Steps Down as Head Coach of Nets". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 11, 1989. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ Freeman, Mike (January 15, 1993). "Nets Hand Reed Keys to the Kingdom". The New York Times. p. B-10. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ "Willis Reed Leaves New York Area for the Big Easy". Gothamist.com. June 30, 2004. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ "Reed's special moment lives on". ESPN. May 7, 2010. Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ISBN 9780892042272.
- ^ Rogers, Thomas (February 21, 1982). "Reed Named to Hall of Fame". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ "NBA at 50: Top 50 Players". National Basketball Association. October 29, 1996. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- ^ "NBA 75th Anniversary Team announced". National Basketball Association. October 21, 2021. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ "Willis Reed Game" (PDF). The Basketball Classic. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "NBA unveils new trophies for division winners named after 6 NBA legends". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ "Modern Poetry Edition #13, (OLD SCHOOL DOUBLE ISSUE)". macdart.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2006. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
- ^ "Hot Sauce Committee Part Two". BeastieBoysAnnotated.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; Comings and Goings". The New York Times. August 21, 1983. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ "Mr. Willis Reed, Jr". kingsfuneral.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- Bibliography
- Smalls, F. Romall; Jackson, Kenneth T. (2002). "Willis Reed". Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives: Sports Figures, Vol. 2. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons/Gale Group. pp. 259–260.
Further reading
- Heisler, Mark (2003). Giants: The 25 Greatest Centers of All Time. Chicago: Triumph Books. ISBN 1-57243-577-1.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- Profile at Basketball Hall of Fame
- Summary at NBA.com