The WILW Radio Blog

NY Knicks and NBA Hall Of Fame Center Willis Reed Has Passed Away

Sunday, March 26, 2023 4:38 PM

For any Knicks fans out there that may have missed the news that Willis Reed has passed away, it was reported on March 21, 2023.  I am posting a couple of articles for you to read about his life and career as one of the greatest center’s ever to play in the NBA.  Despite going up against the likes of Wilt Chamberlain (aguably the greatest big man and Center ever to play in the NBA), Bill Russell and Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabar) Willis not only held his own when going up against these players, he helped the Knicks to win their only two NBA Championships in the 1970 and 1973 seasons.  

What I particularly liked about the Knicks during the Red Holzman led era and this early 70’s team was that a team concept was more important than big ego’s.  Essentially the same coaching and playing philosophy that Don Shula of the Miami Dolphins preached which led the Dolphins to three straight Super Bowls and two victories in the 1972 and 1973 seasons propelled the Knicks to the top.  The Knicks played the same kind of game and their style of play on defense led by Willis Reed and fellow NBA Hall Of Famers forward Dave DeBussher, Guard Walt Frazier and Center Jerry Lucas that made it very difficult for opposing teams to score easily against this top ranked defense (#1 in 1970 and #4 in 1973),

Here is an article and interview with fellow Knicks and NBA Hall Of Famer Bill Bradley about Willis Reed’s life and career.  

An ESPN article on his career.

Willis Reed’s NBA playing statistics.  Click on the word Statistics for the link.  It won’t highlite for some reason.

Holtzman’s Heroes LP.  Tribute to the 1972-1973 Championship team.  Audio can be found here.