Knicks legend Willis Reed dies at 80 as fans and teammates remember ‘El Capitan’

Willis Reed, the legendary captain of the New York Knicks, has passed away at the age of 80.

The cause of death has not been released, but veteran NBA reporter Peter Vescey reported on Twitter that the Louisiana native had been dealing with congestive heart problems “for the last year or so.” He had been in rehab to be able to walk, Vescey wrote.

A two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, the 6-foot-10 Reed was the centerpiece of Knicks coach Red Holzman’s memorable teams in the late 1960s and ’70s.

He is perhaps best remembered for his appearance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, when he overcame a serious leg injury in the Knicks’ 113-99 win over the Los Angeles Lakers by Wilt Chamberlain.

The sight of downtown limping out of what later became known as the “Willis Reed Tunnel,” and the overwhelming response from the Madison Square Garden faithful, remains an indelible part of NBA history. Reed would only score four points, the Knicks’ first two baskets of the game, but the emotional edge he gave his teammates is often credited to the team’s first NBA title.

Willis Reed, the legendary captain of the New York Knicks, has passed away at the age of 80. The cause of death has not been released, but veteran NBA reporter Peter Vescey reported on Twitter that the Louisiana native had been dealing with congestive heart problems for the past year. more or less.’ He had been in rehab to be able to walk, Vescey wrote.

The only man to win a Finals MVP with the Knicks, Reed (No. 19) is pictured in this 1970 photo with the other members of New York’s first title-winning team, including Phil Jackson (No. 18), Walt Frazier ( No. 10), Cazzie Russell (No. 33), Dave DeBusschere (No. 22), future US Senator Bill Bradley (No. 24), Mike Riordan (No. 6), Dick Barnett (No. 9) and the coach Red Holzman (far left)