In the 1970 NBA season, Willis Reed played for the New York Knicks. Reed was a dominant force on both ends of the court and helped lead the Knicks to their first-ever NBA championship.
During the regular season, Reed averaged 21.7 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He was named to the NBA All-Star team and was also named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the season. He was also selected to the first-team all-NBA and the first-team all-defense in this stellar season.
Reed’s real heroics came in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. In Game 5, Reed suffered a devastating leg injury that many thought would keep him out of the rest of the series. However, to the surprise of everyone, Reed limped onto the court for Game 7 and provided a spark to his team.
Despite not being able to move very well, Reed hit his first two shots to give the Knicks an early lead and set the tone for the game. His leadership and toughness helped inspire the Knicks to a 113-99 victory, giving them their first NBA championship.
Reed’s performance in Game 7 will go down as one of the most memorable in NBA history. He finished the game with just four points and three rebounds, but his impact on the game went beyond the box score.
Overall, Willis Reed had a phenomenal 1970 NBA season. He was a dominant force throughout the regular season and played through pain to help lead the Knicks to their first championship.