The NBA world lost a legend on Tuesday with the passing of New York Knicks legend and Hall of Famer Willis Reed at the age of 80.
Prior to the Knicks’ game against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, Reed’s teammate and Knicks broadcaster Walt “Clyde” Frazier reflected on the life of his dear friend with whom he won two NBA titles with in 1969 and 1972.
“I just thank God that I got to know Willis Reed as a teammate,” Frazier said during the pregame show on MSG. “He was a magnificent person. … I’ve been meandering all day – the joy, the pain, excruciating. Tonight, I’m going to laugh, I’m going to cry. He was that type of person. He made me the player that I was and the man that I am off the court as well.”
Frazier and Reed are tied at the hip in Knicks history for their two championships together —which is the last time the franchise has won the NBA Finals.
In fact, during Reed’s iconic Game 7 moment against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1969-70 NBA Finals when he took the floor despite a significant leg injury, it was Frazier who led the Knicks with 36 points and 19 assists.
But while fans remember Reed for his special moments on the court, Frazier remembered Reed the friend and mentor.
“He was just a big country boy with a big heart,” Frazier said. “I copied his handwriting, he had excellent handwriting. I copied his tenacity on the court, always giving 110%. When he dealt with the media, the fans, I learned all that from Willis Reed. He was just a magnificent role model.”
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