Willis Reed New York Knicks Home Jersey From Historic Performance in Final Game of the 1969-70 Championship Series (Knicks First Title) An air of uncertainty filled Madison Square Garden moments before tip-off of Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. "Will he or won't he?" was the question as fans anxiously awaited the fate of Willis Reed, who missed Game 6 with a torn right thigh muscle. Pre-game warm-ups were already underway when suddenly a 6-10 figure emerged from the darkness, limping his way onto the court. The sold out Garden crowd erupted as "The Captain" made his way to join his teammates. "I saw the whole Lakers team standing around and staring at this man," said Clyde Frazier, who recorded 36 points, 19 assists, and 7 rebounds in that game. Reed’s valiant return not only shocked the Lakers but set the tempo, energizing his team to victory. Reed won the opening tip from Wilt Chamberlain and scored the team’s first two baskets; both from the perimeter. He never scored again. The Knicks ran the devastated Lakers out of the building, winning 113-99. Said Frazier, "Willis provided inspiration and I provided the devastation." Reeds' inspiring performance in leading the Knicks to their first NBA Championship is the defining moment in the history of that franchise. In a national poll, it was recently voted as the most dramatic sports moment in the history of Madison Square Garden. The epic game seven finale capped a phenomenal season that saw the Knicks win a franchise record 60 games and set a then-NBA record 18 game win streak. Reed played an important role all season in the Knick success, and in 1970 he became the first player in NBA history to be named the NBA All-Star Game MVP, the NBA regular season MVP, and the NBA Playoff MVP in the same season. That same year, he was named to the All-NBA first team and NBA All-Defensive first team, as well as being named as ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year. This jersey is not only from Reed's most prolific season, but specifically from his most famous performance on May 8, 1970, during Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. On the left tail of the 1969-70 New York Knicks home jersey is the size tag "48," though the manufacturer's label is missing. Across the front of the jersey is the name "New York" in orange tackle twill on a blue tackle twill backing. On the back is the name "Reed" in blue tackle twill. His player number "19" appears on both the front and back of the shirt also made of orange tackle twill on a blue tackle twill backing. Included are three letters. Two of them are from former Knicks trainer Danny Whelan. In one of the two, written 1992 on Knicks letterhead, Whelan states that this jersey was worn by Reed during the 1969-70 Championship final game. The third letter is from the director of athletics of the Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School who states that this jersey was donated to the school by Roger McCann who worked for Madison Square Garden. The jersey shows great game-use and with the exception of the missing manufacturer's label, appears to have no alterations of any kind. Many specific physical characteristics of the jersey, including puckering on the numbers, can be seen in several photographs of Reed shot during that famous game. Additional LOAs from MEARS (A8) and Grey Flannel.
Willis Reed New York Knicks Home Jersey From Historic Performance in Final Game of the 1969-70 Championship Series (Knicks First Title) An air of uncertainty filled Madison Square Garden moments before tip-off of Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. "Will he or won't he?" was the question as fans anxiously awaited the fate of Willis Reed, who missed Game 6 with a torn right thigh muscle. Pre-game warm-ups were already underway when suddenly a 6-10 figure emerged from the darkness, limping his way onto the court. The sold out Garden crowd erupted as "The Captain" made his way to join his teammates. "I saw the whole Lakers team standing around and staring at this man," said Clyde Frazier, who recorded 36 points, 19 assists, and 7 rebounds in that game. Reed’s valiant return not only shocked the Lakers but set the tempo, energizing his team to victory. Reed won the opening tip from Wilt Chamberlain and scored the team’s first two baskets; both from the perimeter. He never scored again. The Knicks ran the devastated Lakers out of the building, winning 113-99. Said Frazier, "Willis provided inspiration and I provided the devastation." Reeds' inspiring performance in leading the Knicks to their first NBA Championship is the defining moment in the history of that franchise. In a national poll, it was recently voted as the most dramatic sports moment in the history of Madison Square Garden. The epic game seven finale capped a phenomenal season that saw the Knicks win a franchise record 60 games and set a then-NBA record 18 game win streak. Reed played an important role all season in the Knick success, and in 1970 he became the first player in NBA history to be named the NBA All-Star Game MVP, the NBA regular season MVP, and the NBA Playoff MVP in the same season. That same year, he was named to the All-NBA first team and NBA All-Defensive first team, as well as being named as ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year. This jersey is not only from Reed's most prolific season, but specifically from his most famous performance on May 8, 1970, during Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. On the left tail of the 1969-70 New York Knicks home jersey is the size tag "48," though the manufacturer's label is missing. Across the front of the jersey is the name "New York" in orange tackle twill on a blue tackle twill backing. On the back is the name "Reed" in blue tackle twill. His player number "19" appears on both the front and back of the shirt also made of orange tackle twill on a blue tackle twill backing. Included are three letters. Two of them are from former Knicks trainer Danny Whelan. In one of the two, written 1992 on Knicks letterhead, Whelan states that this jersey was worn by Reed during the 1969-70 Championship final game. The third letter is from the director of athletics of the Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School who states that this jersey was donated to the school by Roger McCann who worked for Madison Square Garden. The jersey shows great game-use and with the exception of the missing manufacturer's label, appears to have no alterations of any kind. Many specific physical characteristics of the jersey, including puckering on the numbers, can be seen in several photographs of Reed shot during that famous game. Additional LOAs from MEARS (A8) and Grey Flannel.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
