Walt Fraziers reverence for Willis Reed runs so deep that he copied his handwriting. Yet, the story of these NBA Finals reaches far beyond that moment. Of course thats what he wanted to do. A lot of guys fleeing for their life.. As the Madison Square Garden crowd erupted, Reed received a pass and joined in the pregame shooting. It doesnt erupt. Buildings, theyre always going to get changed. Willis Reed had heard a few weeks ago that the Madison Square Garden tunnel he made famous in 1970 by merely walking through it was gone. His story, however, will live forever in NBA lore for famously emerging from the Madison Square Garden tunnel before Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals and playing through injury to help the Knicks win their first title. He was strong. He let Reed pass. All columns may be sorted by clicking the column name. Holzman then steered them to a 28-16 record the rest of the way, good for a 43-39 finish. It was May 8, 1970. The prices shown are the lowest prices available for Willis Reed the last time we updated. For the season, he averaged 20.9 points and 13.7 rebounds per game, but the Knicks were eliminated by the Baltimore Bullets in the Eastern Conference Finals. Willis Reed Playoffs Game Log. He hits it. Some of it is instinct. Reeds legendary night overshadowed one of the greatest Finals performances no one talks about. As indelible as that moment is, though, itll be hard for anyone to scrub their mind of the image of Reed as a mercilessly punching tornado after watching this clip. Well be able to do the rest. The Nets made the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. Follow Darnell on Twitter @DarnellMayberry, Walt Frazier looked up to Willis Reed, literally and figuratively. Gabe and Alex explore all of that, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Bradley, and Dave Debusschere in the first episode of Ball Through The Ages. DMX. Willis Reed prices (Basketball Cards 1973 Topps) are updated daily for each source listed above. Willis Reed really did fight the entire Los Angeles Lakers bench in 1966. The NBA consists of the following teams: Atlanta Hawks; Boston Celtics; Brooklyn Nets; Charlotte Hornets; Chicago Bulls; Cleveland Cavaliers; Dallas Mavericks; Denver Nuggets; Detroit Pistons; Golden State Warriors; Houston Rockets; Indiana Pacers; Los Angeles Clippers; Los Angeles Lakers; Memphis Grizzlies; Miami Heat; Milwaukee Bucks; Minnesota Timberwolves; New Orleans Pelicans; New York Knicks; Oklahoma City Thunder; Orlando Magic; Philadelphia 76ers; Phoenix Suns; Portland Trail Blazers; Sacramento Kings; San Antonio Spurs; Toronto Raptors; Utah Jazz; Washington Wizards. But when he met Chamberlain at center court, Reed barely left his feet for the jump ball. When I say generous, thats the way the man is. He'd missed New York's chance to close the series in Game 6 against the Lakers thanks to a damaged muscle in his right leg. Reed had crumpled to the court with the torn thigh early in Game 5 at the Garden. Number 19. 44 on The Athletic 's NBA 75 list. Thats him. Frazier flew that night., When I started the game I had no idea Id score like that, said Frazier, then in his third season.
Free Tunnel Games | Free Online Games for Kids | KidzSearch.com After Willis hit New York's first two baskets, the Knicks had all the inspiration they needed!About the NBA: The NBA is the premier professional basketball league in the United States and Canada. Willis Reed estimated Net Worth, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. Thats the type of applause, said television play-by-play man Chris Schenkel, that has been reserved for boxers like Sugar Ray Robinson in the old Garden, Tony Zale and Rocky Graziano and a host of other great fighters.. Reed scored 21.1 points per game in 196869 and grabbed a franchise-record 1,191 rebounds, an average of 14.5 rebounds per game. It explodes. By this time, he was playing power forward, to make room for Walt Bellamy. The draft was held on May 4, 1964, before the 1964-65 season. The Knicks had a void. The night halted and NBA history changed. Reed was less of a contributor than he was two seasons earlier. In Reeds sixth season, the Knicks raced to a franchise-record 60 wins, at one point rattling off a then-record 18 straight victories. In Game 5 of the 1976 Finals, Garfield Heard's wild shot forced the first triple overtime in Finals history. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. I told them it was bullshit the next day, though (laughs). Wilt Chamberlain dominated for 45 on a Reed-free court. Get Frazier going about Reed, and its hard for him to stop. He always gave 110 percent. It was Fraziers first taste of the Willis Reed rules. -- J.A. But this was no ploy.
Nova Notebook: For 32 Years Pierce Cared For the Cats He wouldnt crack. Let's check, How Rich is Willis Reed in 2019-2020? The turnaround took time. From the start, he hobbled up and down the court. I knew I had to follow him and stay behind him. Reed's most indelible moment, of course, was his heroic performance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals is remembered for one moment: Willis Reed emerging from the tunnel to play despite tearing his quadricep four days earlier. On Monday, four students had been gunned down by rifle fire on the campus of Kent State University, after gathering to protest the U.S. bombing of Cambodia.
Willis Reed Playoffs Game Log | Basketball-Reference.com In 1996, he was voted one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History".In October 2021, Reed was again honored as one of the . But he is The Captain, still.
OKC Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings Pick - Predictem Who: Willis Reed, NBA Legend When: Saturday, January 15, 2022 Time: 5:30 p.m. Where: Grambling State University Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center Ceremony Presentations: Retirement of Jersey;. He was at the peak of his powers, putting together a magical season that would see him outplay, in successive postgame series, Unseld, Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain. I was surprised that he passed (to) me that first shot. Subscribe to us on substack to get every episode sent to your inbox: ballthroughtheages.substack.com. He missed his final three shots and finished with four points, three rebounds and four fouls in 27 minutes. Reed had crumpled to the court with the torn thigh early in Game 5 at the Garden. Wilt would just stand by Willis so I was open. I loved his toughness and his arrogance," says Reed, who famously limped out of the old Garden tunnel before Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the Lakers and scored the first two baskets. He delighted Manhattan by limping through the tunnel just moments before the game began, having just received a large dose of cortisone to dull the pain and make one last push toward New Yorks first ever pro basketball championship.He only scored twice, but they were the games first two baskets, and his immediate impact electrified the crowd. Hed loan you his car.
Willis Reed Game: Revisiting Knicks' legendary 1970 NBA title Sort: Relevant Newest # game # season 6 # episode 15 # 6x15 # basketball # nba # fan # celebrity # toronto # the simpsons # bart simpson # episode 5 # season 14 # 14x05 # sports # basketball # big3 # big3 basketball # big 3 # sports # basketball # nba # heat # miami heat Worry about you. Later West would tell Kalinsky that was his worst moment, ever, on a basketball court. Clicking on a tab heading will display the specified set of statistics. Walt "Clyde" Frazier has a favorite memory from his time with the New York Knicks. His house was like Grand Central Station, Frazier said. At a Puma . The Play:Uncertain whether Willis Reed would be able to play through the muscle tear in his right thigh, the New York Knicks get an emotional rush when their captain hobbles onto the floor against the Lakers, hits two jump shots and boosts his teammates confidence and performance for their first NBA championship. Reed was the rare 6-foot-10 post player who could shoot from the perimeter in those days. The Knicks will now enter from one end of the Garden apart from their opponents by passing through a glass enclosure that will allow some lower-bowl fans with special club membership to view them as they make their way to the court. I mean, how many times do you get a chance to be the MVP of the playoffs? A photograph doesnt come with a soundtrack, of course. Bradley scores 17 and dishes for five assists. To have a chance to play with him really was the reason I became a star, Reed said while presenting the late DeBusschere into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The new Garden on 33rd and 8th was only in its third season, but it has never seen a night like that since when Reeds courage and Walt Fraziers magical skill willed the selfless Knicks past the Lakers, 113-99, for their first NBA championship. It was so emotional and the crowd never shut up from that point on. In a half-moment of fate, George Kalinsky was faced with a most difficult predicament. I was pissed off when they did that, Frazier said. But it was what Reed did in the final game that season that launched him into a stratosphere past legend and into that of a mythical figure. I didnt know who were his kids, who lived there. Saturday, President Nixon would make a surprise predawn visit to the Lincoln Memorial to talk with some of the 100,000 whod gathered to march on The Mall that day, helping to ensure a peaceful demonstration.
Willis Reed 'saddened' by Charles Oakley's Garden ban, would love to The league, apparently, was only able to fine him $50.00 for his breach of the rules. Then he gets another shot, 17 feet. by ab-niranjan, 23 Jul, 2017 NBA Eleanor Bradley walt frazier Gale Kennedy Bernice Louisiana The Knicks turned, and the Lakers followed suit. Hes got style, but hes a down-to-earth person.. Hes just going around the Lakers bench, man, punching people back and forth. In 1971-72, Frazier was better (Reed almost missed the entire season).
GSU Releases 2022 Basketball Promotion Schedule - Grambling State Then Reed emerged from the tunnel prior to Game 7 and MSG erupted. Reeds skill set is what enabled the Knicks to twice dispel that theory. Reed quickly made a name as a fierce, dominating and physical force on both ends of the floor. Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West. After all these years, 50 years, hes still The Captain., Career stats: G: 650, Pts. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us.
Our house is a very, very fine house - NetsDaily He looks extremely tall with his height of 6 feet 8 inches and his weight is 109 kg. Also a good one. He grew up on a farm in nearby Bernice, Louisiana. This one came over Chamberlain, who was forced to flee his comfort zone in the paint. Willis Reed It was a classic moment in basketball history when a courageous Willis Reed hobbled through the tunnel at Madison Square Garden, reemerging on the floor for game seven of the 1970 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. If Willis Reed did not have the injuries that he had, it would not be, Whos the greatest Knick of all time?, Im wearing two championship rings now. The Garden erupts, Bradley told The Post. Reed next took the position of vice president of basketball operations with the New Orleans Hornets in 2004. [7] After the win, Reed was named NBA Finals MVP. However, winning in the . -- Chris Ramsay, When emotion mattered more than production. He could block shots. He retired from that position in 2007. If you dont play as a team, youre not getting in the game. You want me to be a Rope-A-Dope? Ali asked, incredulously. 42 years ago today, Willis Reed emerged from the tunnel in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The Memphis forward sustained the injury Friday night during the 1st quarter of the Grizzlies 113-97 loss to the Nuggets. Knicks fans showered Reed with a standing ovation that went on and on. He spent 12 years at The Oklahoman, where he handled the Thunder beat before moving into an editors role. Ive been asked, How can you explain to your son that the greatest game you ever played in you only scored four points? Reed told ESPN. He stood 6ft 9in (2.06m) but like common practice was listed with shoes at 6'10", when contemporaries such as Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stood 7ft 1in (2.16m) and 7ft 2in (2.18m), respectively, during their playing careers. He missed two weeks early in the season and returned, but shortly thereafter the injured knee prohibited him from playing, and he totaled 11 games for the year. In 69 regular season games, he averaged only 11.0 points. Frazier hadnt even reached the NBA, but Reeds reputation had then extended far beyond the pros. Mosley tribes Lyndel . Following the game in the winner's locker room, a moved Howard Cosell told Reed on national television, "You exemplify the very best that the human spirit can offer."[6]. Follow us on twitter: @ballthroughages. Reed has insisted that inspiration and courage were the last things on his mind as he came out.
This Day in Sports: Willis Reed Limps Out of a Tunnel and Into a [9] He compiled a 3377 record with the Nets.
New York Knicks video: Walt 'Clyde' Frazier sets record straight on In Game 3 of the 1970 Finals, Jerry West connected on a 60-foot rainbow to force overtime. I would be like Ali. The Department of Athletics welcomes . As senior vice president of basketball operations, he led them to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. A few years later, before a particularly huge fight in Zaire, Kalinsky would advise his friend, off the cuff, that maybe part of his strategy to defeat mighty George Foreman would be to tire him out. But when they traded Walt Bellamy for Dave DeBusschere, he became a passer, and I became a star. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Knicks' stomping of Celtics left little doubt they're for real, Knicks get perfect chance to show where they stand as Celtics visit Garden, Jalen Brunson rare NY star who has been better than advertised, Keith Urgo's Fordham team recapturing spirit of 1971. Ive never held a grudge against him because of that. We were just as flabbergasted as everybody else when he came out on the court.. It wasnt until a fourth coach arrived midway through Reeds fourth season that the Knicks took off. He was the head coach at Creighton University from 1981 to 1985 and volunteer assistant coach for St. John's University. They tried to post him, but youre not moving him easily. Four years prior to his legendary role in the 1970 NBA Finals, Willis Reed took on virtually the entire Los Angeles Lakers squad, and somehow won the fight.
The 'Willis Reed Tunnel' Is Gone - The New York Times There was Reed. This, Frazier said, was the personification of Willis Reed.. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting. Adande, Greatest entrance in NBA history: Willis. Inspired by his grit, the Knicks' other stars stepped up. On the first two plays, he gets an open shot around 15 feet, Chamberlain hangs under the basket, Bradley said. [1] In 1996, he was voted one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History". A two-time champion, seven-time All-Star, two-time NBA Finals MVP and one-time league MVP, Reed lands at No. They didnt manage more than 29 wins in any of the five seasons before Reeds 1964-65 rookie season and missed the playoffs in seven of the previous eight seasons. But I knew.. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility was eligible for selection. Frazier remembers collecting his luggage and badly needing a trip to the restroom with no one to trust to watch his belongings. When I came down on the break, sometimes I was just standing there alone.. Willis Reed suffers a thigh injury during Game 5 of the 1970 NBA Finals. At 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds during his playing days, few dared step in to try to stop him. The Knicks appeared to have the win in game 3 when Dave DeBusschere sunk a shot with just 3 seconds left to give the Knicks a 102-100 lead. In the first game, Willis Reed scored 37 points, and lifted the Knicks to a hard-fought victory.
GSU Releases 2022 Basketball Promotion Schedule On the night of May 8, 1970, Reed walked out to the floor stiffly, not limping, as the legend has it while his teammates were warming up for Game 7 of the N.B.A. New York went 31-49, 30-50 in and 36-45 in Reeds first three seasons, which saw him play for as many head coaches. I was renowned for my defense prowess, but I knew I had Willis back there. Legendary power forward/center who led the New York Knicks to a pair of NBA Championships in the early 1970s . He looked at the other side of the floor. He makes sure no ones behind him, and he just starts punching. Just six words on six seconds Willis Reed's walking through that door! So we keep going in. Showing Editorial results for willis reed. He got a standing ovation. The Knicks burly center took 400 milligrams of carbocaine and 8 ccs of cortisone via Dr. James Parkes needle to mask the pain of a torn right thigh muscle. From Nov. 1 through Feb. 18, well unveil a new player on the list every weekday except for Dec. 27-31, culminating with the man picked by a panel ofThe AthleticNBAstaff members as the greatest of all time.
In what is arguably the most significant moment in New York sports history, Reed limped down the Garden tunnel 15 minutes before tip-off after receiving injections. Somehow, this one does. Seven minutes had elapsed since New York had won the NBA title and Willis Reed was trapped beside his locker in The Forum. For the 2014-15 season, each of the league's 30 teams will play 82 regular-season games, followed by a postseason for those that qualify. With Willis Reed crippled by a torn thigh muscle, the Knicks appeared to be in dire straits. The Polar Express Train Adventu.. GI Joe Viper Reef Scuba Trainin.. Sahara The Objective - Defuse T.. His parents were petrified, warning him not to talk to anyone. His inspirational return helped lead the New York Knicks to their first title in 1970. And when I felt the pain in my leg, that wasnt quite the case. The Knicks first trip to the Finals since 1953 would end sourly. 15 to No. The Department of Athletics welcomes the Tiger community to be a part of a what is sure to be another exciting basketball season.
NBA Best Playoff Vines: Willis Reed's dramatic entrance - ESPN.com We've received your submission. He pestered Chamberlain into multiple missed shots while he was in the game, then flipped the keys to Frazier, whose 36 points and 19 assists wound up as one of the greatest and most overshadowed Finals stat lines ever. He hobbles up and down two times more. [3], After retiring as a player, Reed served as assistant and head coach with several teams for nearly a decade, then was promoted to general manager and vice president of basketball operations (19891996) for the New Jersey Nets. We get pulled over by the cops. Clutching a fifth of Paul Masson brut against his right hip, he sat. The Department of Athletics welcomes the Tiger community to be a part of a what is sure to be another exciting basketball season. Just once. Reed spent several years coaching before moving into general management. But the Knicks trademark playmaking guile got them past the Lakers on May 4. Pierce accompanied Ray into the tunnel near midcourt (basketball historians may know it as the 'Willis Reed Tunnel' as it was the area from which the injured New York Knicks' star emerged prior to Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals). Born: June 25, 1942 in Hico, Louisiana us Relatives: Cousin Orlando Woolridge. So the culture changed in that respect.. Frazier had only been to New York City once, leading Southern Illinois to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship earlier that year. Forget about Willis. Yet the Lakers answered quickly, taking the second game by a score of 105-103. But it definitely was the most important game Ive ever played..
Willis Reed Game 7: Was it the best NBA injury performance ever? (Associated Press), Reed won two NBA Finals MVP awards, first in 1970 and this one in 1973. The Lakers stopped, our team stopped. When it was over, Reed took Frazier to his home. The fresh-faced, wide-eyed Frazier began taking notes long before he took the court. Willis Reed suffers a thigh injury during. Some of it is sense. He would never let you get down.. Kalinsky was on his way back in when the door flung open. Like Bob Marley said, You cant forget your past. This is my past before I was Clyde. I owe a lot to that man.. And then hes speeding.
Willis Reed - Age, Bio, Personal Life, Family & Stats - CelebsAges The three guys considered to be the greatest Knicks of all time: myself, Willis and Patrick Ewing, Frazier said. Anxiety in New York ran deeper. Dave DeBusschere adds 18 points and pulls down 17 rebounds. And that is not how the story went. In the locker room, he received a shot of painkillers and hobbled to the court during warm-ups. Willis Reed walks through the tunnel. But I never held it against Willis. [citation needed], Reed continued to make annual appearances in the NBA All-Star Game. It includes everyone from Howard Cosell to Richard Nixon. Reed briefly took a backseat in his second season after the Knicks acquired Bellamy from the Baltimore Bullets and the leg-kicking, sweet-shooting lefty Dick Barnett from the Lakers. Looking at 5 key stats heading into Saturday's clash between top East teams Philadelphia and Milwaukee. Per Game. In Game 7 of the 1970 Finals, Willis Reed helped inspire the Knicks to a victory. The club introduced Reed. "Reed's courage is incredible. Only when I got to the game did I know if he would play. [1] Reed also became a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.[5]. I couldnt pay for anything.. Raftery said he likes the new look of the Garden after a three-year renovation but like many he misses the "Willis Reed Tunnel,'' which is hidden in the new configuration. Everybody didnt follow me. Reed also served as an assistant coach for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings.[8]. Your money is no good in here I got that all over town for a long time after the championship, Frazier said.
Its great to know that I had an impact on so many lives that night, but its such a long time ago, he said. His parents worked to ensure Reed got an education in the segregated South. 2009 Panini Legends of the Game #5 Willis Reed: $0.34: 2009 Panini Limited Decade Dominance #7 Willis Reed: $2.30: 2009 Panini Rookies & Stars Moments in Time #5 Willis Reed: $0.75: 2009 Panini Threads Legends #2 Willis Reed: $0.94: 2009 Panini Timeless Treasures #95 Willis Reed: $1.05: Yet, the story of these NBA Finals reaches far beyond that moment. In New York, people sometimes refer to the walkway as the Willis Reed Tunnel, but for the sake of soothing any bruised feelings, it may be useful to remember how many mediocre or bad Knicks players have passed through there since the franchises second, and last, championship in 1973. Willis Reed, Jr. (Bernice, 25 de junho de 1942) um ex-jogador e treinador de basquete norte-americano. "As long as they keep. : 18.7,Reb. Jerry West had heard the question, and he wasnt pleased.
Willis Reed Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images He led the Tigers to one NAIA title and three Southwestern Athletic Conference championships.
Examples include Kurtis Blow's 1984 hit "Basketball"[14] on his Ego Trip album, and the Beastie Boys' "Long Burn The Fire" on their 2011 album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. Willis Reed's age is 80. I say, Well, it wasnt the greatest game Ive ever played. We've received your submission. If you see my handwriting, my handwriting is like his., Penmanship, Frazier believes, reveals much about a person: their intelligence, their mood, even their ego. A two-time champion, seven-time All-Star, two-time NBA Finals MVP and one-time league MVP, Reed lands at No. He said, Can you give us just some minutes? He had no idea what he had until a few hours later, but in the quiet of his darkroom he saw it was awfully good. He arranged a date for Frazier and showed his new point guard around. For his career, Reed averaged 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, playing 650 games. 25 May 1942 in Hico, Louisiana), Hall of Fame center and power forward, coach and basketball executive, who scored two of the most memorable baskets in National Basketball Association (NBA) history.Reed was the only child of Willis Reed, Sr., an industrial laborer, and Inell Ross Reed, a domestic worker. It too rattled home. Chills were going up and down my spine when he came out. And Holzman would say, Get out of here. -- Justin Hagey.
Watch Willis Reed Beat Up the 1966 Los Angeles Lakers (VIDEO) If you dont play defense, youre not getting in the game.
30 Seconds With Willis Reed - The New York Times -- Jade Hoye, I'm still mad that tunnel's gone. I saw him right away.
An entertaining package to open on Christmas - Boston.com Id think, This guy is crazy, man. Willis Reed Jr. (born June 25, 1942) is an American retired basketball player, coach and general manager. I remember playing games with him, and hed get so mad hed almost squeeze the air out of the ball if hes losing. The Knicks' best player, Willis Reed, tore his thigh muscle early in Game 5, setting up panic for Knicks fans. It is May 8, 1970, and Madison Square Garden is packed with 19,500 rabid New Yorkers as their Knicks are in a do-or-die seventh and final game against the murderous Los Angeles Lakers for professional basketball's world championship. [citation needed].
NBA 75: At No. 44, Willis Reed displayed tenacity, heart and grit for Speculation ran rampant. Running from his to pelvis to knee, the injury nearly prevented the center/forward from walking, much less running. 999 Willis Reed Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO All Sports Entertainment News Archival Browse 999 willis reed stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Their captain, center Willis Reed, tore his thigh muscle two games earlier. [1] mais conhecido por sua carreira de jogador no New York Knicks, onde atuava como piv.Foi introduzido no Basketball Hall of Fame em 1982.. Depois de se aposentar como jogador, Reed atuou como assistente e treinador principal com vrias equipes por quase uma dcada e depois foi . Reed will be honored at the halftime of the men's game with the unveiling of the Willis Reed Court and Willis Reed Tunnel. 6, with Pat Riley and Carmelo Anthony, Knicks great thinks team will still honor 1970 title team, How IHOP placemat inspired Knicks fans decades-long quest. After Willis hit New. Then Reed emerged from the tunnel prior to Game 7 and MSG erupted. The Knicks went 36-11 following the DeBusschere trade, finishing 54-28 before falling in the second round to the Russell-John Havlicek-Sam Jones Celtics in six games. Come on, man, lets go., He didnt apologize or anything, Frazier added. As long as they keep all the retired numbers up there thats what people notice when they walk in, he said. But I wasnt The Captain like Willis. I bought a convertible after that, he said. But a torn muscle in Reeds right thigh threatened to derail a charmed season. He just ran amok, Frazier said. The resurgent Knicks were playing for their first championship, staring down a tightly contested NBA Finals series against Chamberlain and the Lakers after disposing of Unselds Bullets and Abdul-Jabbars Bucks.