The Willis Reed Game (Game 7, 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. Reed’s return is said to have sparked the Knicks’s victory and their first world championship. Yet, the story of these NBA Finals reaches far beyond that moment. It includes everyone from Howard Cosell to Richard Nixon. Gabe and Alex explore all of that, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Bradley, and Dave Debusschere in the first episode of Ball Through The Ages. Subscribe to us on substack to get every episode sent to your inbox: ballthroughtheages.substack.com. Follow us on twitter: @ballthroughages. Graphics by @wlohaty. ————————————————————Show Outline Opening-Why are we talking about this briefly Study Hall (background) LakersKnicksSeries leading up to thisThe Skinny Knicks blow out the Lakers from the start. Walt Fraizer finishes with 36 points, 19 assists, and 7 reboundsCrucial moments Willis Reed coming into gameKnicks first 5 minutesFrazier’s second quarter runFrazier 7-9 in the 3rd quarter, really puts the game away Who Lived up to the Hype Willis Reed Walt Fraizer The Knicks and MSGJerry West Wilt ChamberlainTime Machine (what most took you back to that time or what looks the weirdest now)Short shortsWilt’s underhand layups Tip offs at the start of every quarter Names of the guys in this game Playoff format and geographyCivil War tape jobsLegacy This should be the Clyde Frazier game!Bill Bradley and Dave Debusschere Best time ever for Knicks, Jets, Mets fansNixon’s wild night Stuff that didn’t make it Jerry West had an 81 inch wingspan despite being 6’3”The New York Times story on the Lakers was a bit dramatic: WALT FRAIZER HAD 36 POINTS AND 19 ASSISTS. We mentioned that twice but it doesn’t feel like it was enough. SourcesFull game on YouTubeExcerpt from “The Show” by Roland Lazenby where Jerry West complains about Wilt’s free throws Sports Illustrated story on game 7The Atlantic on Nixon’s wild night Get on the email list at ballthroughtheages.substack.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.