1. 1969-70: Willis Reed Plays Through The Pain

  • Regular season record: 60-22
  • Head coach: Red Holzman
  • Scoring leader: Willis Reed (21.7 PPG)
  • Rebounding leader: Willis Reed (13.9 RPG)
  • Assists leader: Walt Frazier (8.2 APG)
  • ORtg+: 101.3, DRtg+: 93.3

The 1969-70 Knicks began the season at 23-1, including 18 straight victories between Oct. 24 and Nov. 28.

Like the ’72-’73 team, they ranked in the top five in both offensive and defensive points per 100 possessions. Frazier was named a starter in the All-Star game, and he and DeBusschere were both named first team All-Defense.

However it was the captain Willis Reed who led the squad.

Reed won the Most Valuable Player Award, was named to the All-NBA First Team, and the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

He had the greatest moment in New York Knicks history, when he limped onto the court right before the start of Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Lakers.

Reed won the opening tip from Chamberlain, then scored his team’s first two baskets to set the tone. They’d be the only points Reed scored on that night. He didn’t need any more.

The Knicks went on to win that game behind 36 points and 19 assists from Frazier, but it was Reed’s heroics that inspired his teammates to win the first championship in franchise history.

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