All Things Basketball with GD - 2022-23 Season, Willis Reed Part 2 (Post-Playing Career, Accolades, What Others Say About Him)

Show notes:

Intro (00:00 - 00:40)

Preview of the continuation of our player spotlight on the late great Willis Reed (00:41 -01:18)

His focus towards coaching began with coaching the New York Knicks for the 1977-78 and part of the 1978-79 season (01:19 - 03:54)

Going to the college ranks, first as an assistant coach with St John's University and later as a head coach at Creighton University for four seasons (03:55 - 04:48)

His return back to the NBA as an assistant coach with both the Atlanta Hawks and the Sacramento Kings; hired by the New Jersey Nets to be their head coach for the rest of the 1987-88 season as well as the 1988-89 season (04:49 - 08:07)

Elevated from head coach of the New Jersey Nets to the General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations with the same team; a history of his draft picks, trades and free agent signings during his tenure; being moved to the Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations position (08:08 - 12:17)

Brief return back to the New York Knicks in a front office role in 2003; hired by the New Orleans Pelicans for the Vice President of Basketball Operations position which he held until his complete retirement from basketball in any capacity (12:17 - 13:13)

His health issues which limited him to join his teammates via video during a recent celebration of the 50th anniversary of the championship winning 1972-73 New York Knicks team; his passing due to congested heart failure (13:14 - 14:21)

His accolades which includes:

High school, college and pro careers as a player

Induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, College Basketball Hall of Fame and Small College Basketball Hall of Fame

His number 19 jersey retired by the New York Knicks (14:22 - 17:31)

Quotes from his own words (17:32 - 19:23)

What various others had to say about Willis Reed including Bill Bradley, former Knick Allan Houston, Knicks current General Manager Scott Perry, Knicks radio play-by-play broadcaster Ed Cohen, Knicks in-studio analyst Alan Hahn, the New York Knicks organization, Brooklyn (New Jersey) Nets organization, Sacramento Kings organization, New York Rangers organization, Creighton University and USA Basketball as well as luminaries such as Adam Silver, Rick Barry, Magic Johnson, former heavyweight champion George Foreman, Glenn "Doc" Rivers, New York CIty mayor Eric Adams, Senator Chuck Schumer (NY), former US Attorney General Eric Holder and many others; heartfelt condolences and stories from his teammate Walt Frazier and Knicks broadcaster Mike Breen during the Knicks game against the Miami Heat which was on the night after Willis' passing (19:24 - 44:45)

My personal thoughts on Willis Reed and the legacy he has left behind as well as the big shoes to fill for another player to come here to accomplish what he has done (44:46 - 48:55)

Call to action (48:56 - 50:14)

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