Stephen A. Smith speaks on what the late Willis Reed means to Knicks fans
Stephen A. Smith joins me on NBA Today to share kind words for 2-time NBA Champion & New York Knicks legend Willis Reed who died at the age of 80 on Tuesday.
The Captain is my guy so today is a sad day! How many realize that Kareem Jabbar was 6 wins and 15 losses against Willis despite the Bucks winning 304 games to the Knicks 266 games from 1969 to 1974?
In the 1970 playoffs before Willis was injured early in game 5 of the finals, he had played 9 games in a row against Lew Alcindor and Wilt and scored 266 points with 120 rebounds shooting 54%.
30 and 14 against Kareem and Wilt in the 1970 playoffs in a 9 games in a row shooting 54%. Then after dealing with continued left knee issues in the 1972/73 season and being maybe 60% of his former self, somehow in games 3 to 5 of the 1973 finals against Wilt he scored 61 points with 33 rebounds and 10 assists shooting 28 for 53 in only 96 minutes!
20.3, 11, and 3.3 in 32 minutes against Wilt shooting 53%.
Note that in the 1973 finals, Wilt in the last 5 games he ever played was in all 240 minutes or 48 minutes a game. Further note that Reed played 96 minutes in games 3 to 5 that prorated over 48 minutes would of been 30.5, 16.5, and 5 shooting 53%!
With his massive Lenox Hill Knee brace on his left knee Willis stepped up in the finals to lead the Knicks to a second NBA Title!
We didn't see the .363% shooting of a Pat Ewing in the 1994 finals as he allowed Hakeem to dominate him. I used to scream at Ewing as he was impotent against an old bald Jabbar shooting 41% as Kareem shot 58% against Ewing. Here we had Reed playing the 30 and 16 stud Lew/Kareem and won 15 of 21 games and then we had to watch a scared Ewing fold against the old, bald 6 rebound Jabbar. It was disgusting and in the 1994 finals to shoot .363% against Hakeem who shot 50% averaging 27 a game was criminal!
Go back and look at all the disgraceful games that Ewing had in the playoffs against guys like Luc Longley, Rik Smits, Bill Cartwright and compare that with Reed and being a 2 time NBA finals MVP!
How about Reed in the 1969 playoffs against Bill Russell?
Reed averaged 24 and 14 shooting 51% as the Knicks lost in 6 games with two of the losses in Boston Garden by ONE POINT. Is there any doubt that maybe the Celtics got a whistle or two?
I cried watching Willis in Boston Garden in the 1974 playoffs dragging his left leg barely able to play. I was 12 and it broke my heart! Reed in the 1974 playoffs tried to play in 11 playoff games and averaged 3.4 points and 2 rebounds in 12 injury filled minutes a game.
MEDICINE is what got Willis Reed as it did Gale Sayers, Bobby Orr, Dick Butkus etc! What a shame but remember that Willis Reed was 15 and 6 against Kareem Jabbar who was the stud 30 and 16 Jabbar holding him to 50% shooting.
Ewing played the old bald 18 and 6 Kareem and yet Jabbar shot 58% against Ewing!
Pat Ewing couldn't carry Willis Reed's jockstrap. He had the best teams in college at Georgetown winning over 120 games and only won one NCAA title and in his one finals when healthy he gagged against Hakeem shooting 36%.
I wore #19 because of willis reed. My grandfather used to show me videos of him playing because that was his favorite player of all time. RIP to the captain Once a Knick always a Knick.
The footage of Willis Reed getting off the bench in game 7 hobbling onto the court inspired many. Let that serve as inspiration in your own life, look up, get off the bench and get back in the game even when you don’t think you can.
32 Comments
wow man, great man!
The Captain is my guy so today is a sad day! How many realize that Kareem Jabbar was 6 wins and 15 losses against Willis despite the Bucks winning 304 games to the Knicks 266 games from 1969 to 1974?
In the 1970 playoffs before Willis was injured early in game 5 of the finals, he had played 9 games in a row against Lew Alcindor and Wilt and scored 266 points with 120 rebounds shooting 54%.
30 and 14 against Kareem and Wilt in the 1970 playoffs in a 9 games in a row shooting 54%. Then after dealing with continued left knee issues in the 1972/73 season and being maybe 60% of his former self, somehow in games 3 to 5 of the 1973 finals against Wilt he scored 61 points with 33 rebounds and 10 assists shooting 28 for 53 in only 96 minutes!
20.3, 11, and 3.3 in 32 minutes against Wilt shooting 53%.
Note that in the 1973 finals, Wilt in the last 5 games he ever played was in all 240 minutes or 48 minutes a game. Further note that Reed played 96 minutes in games 3 to 5 that prorated over 48 minutes would of been 30.5, 16.5, and 5 shooting 53%!
With his massive Lenox Hill Knee brace on his left knee Willis stepped up in the finals to lead the Knicks to a second NBA Title!
We didn't see the .363% shooting of a Pat Ewing in the 1994 finals as he allowed Hakeem to dominate him. I used to scream at Ewing as he was impotent against an old bald Jabbar shooting 41% as Kareem shot 58% against Ewing. Here we had Reed playing the 30 and 16 stud Lew/Kareem and won 15 of 21 games and then we had to watch a scared Ewing fold against the old, bald 6 rebound Jabbar. It was disgusting and in the 1994 finals to shoot .363% against Hakeem who shot 50% averaging 27 a game was criminal!
Go back and look at all the disgraceful games that Ewing had in the playoffs against guys like Luc Longley, Rik Smits, Bill Cartwright and compare that with Reed and being a 2 time NBA finals MVP!
How about Reed in the 1969 playoffs against Bill Russell?
Reed averaged 24 and 14 shooting 51% as the Knicks lost in 6 games with two of the losses in Boston Garden by ONE POINT. Is there any doubt that maybe the Celtics got a whistle or two?
I cried watching Willis in Boston Garden in the 1974 playoffs dragging his left leg barely able to play. I was 12 and it broke my heart! Reed in the 1974 playoffs tried to play in 11 playoff games and averaged 3.4 points and 2 rebounds in 12 injury filled minutes a game.
MEDICINE is what got Willis Reed as it did Gale Sayers, Bobby Orr, Dick Butkus etc! What a shame but remember that Willis Reed was 15 and 6 against Kareem Jabbar who was the stud 30 and 16 Jabbar holding him to 50% shooting.
Ewing played the old bald 18 and 6 Kareem and yet Jabbar shot 58% against Ewing!
Pat Ewing couldn't carry Willis Reed's jockstrap. He had the best teams in college at Georgetown winning over 120 games and only won one NCAA title and in his one finals when healthy he gagged against Hakeem shooting 36%.
The GREATEST KNICK, CAPTAIN Willis Reed!
RIP Willis!
Sad day for us Knick fans
Rip Willis Reed 🙏🙏🙏
god no
“Their only two championships.” Even in the death of a legend ESPN can’t help themselves being disrespectful toward the Knicks.
Rip legend
There was no load management back in 69. I remember .
Great player and even better man 💯
🙏🙏🙏🙏
Very kind to the fans.
Once a Knick, forever a Knick. Rest easy.
R.I.P. one of the greatest knick.GO KNICKS
Who writes your script? We don't say died for legends. It is rude. We say passed away.
Forever the Captain. RIP King Willis
Only 2 titles, and only played for the Knicks. They better SET IT OUT for the homie.
He could be the best knick
I wore #19 because of willis reed. My grandfather used to show me videos of him playing because that was his favorite player of all time. RIP to the captain Once a Knick always a Knick.
Rest in power King.
Those Knicks teams of the early 70s were the epitome of selfless individuals who put team ahead of self.
RIP Willis Reed!!!
The footage of Willis Reed getting off the bench in game 7 hobbling onto the court inspired many. Let that serve as inspiration in your own life, look up, get off the bench and get back in the game even when you don’t think you can.
Willis Reed Was The Greatest Knick…
Rest In Peace to The Captain.
Thank you for the greatness
Rip Willis Reed Jr, you will be missed
🖤
Where's Rachel Nichols to give this?
I remember even being a kid and would see that video of Willis reed come out of the tunnel….even all that time later he looked larger than life
He was a childhood hero of mine A gentle giant and a fearless competitor and leader. Big time winner. Rest easy big man
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Rip to the legend of the Knicks🙏🏽🕊️
Heaven hearing the call today- "Here comes Willis." RIP to a champion.