NBA commissioner Adam Silver and LeBron James led the tributes for New York Knicks legend Willis Reed, who sadly passed away aged 80 on Tuesday.
Reed’s death was announced by the National Basketball Retired Players Association, which had confirmed the news with his family. The cause of Reed’s death has not yet been released, but the legendary centre was believed to be in poor health and was unable to travel to New York in February when the Knicks honoured the 50th anniversary of their 1973 championship team.
Reed earned and has maintained the nickname, “The Captain”, after helping fire the Knicks to two NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973 - the franchises only two to date.