Frazier and Reed: The Knicks’ Inside-Outside Core

The man with 36 points and 19 assists in 1970 was Frazier; the man who limped out hurt was Reed. This "outside brain + inside pillar" combo was the bedrock of the Knicks' golden age.

Frazier was one of the era's most elegant guards—fierce defender, precise passer; Reed was the steady interior anchor, owning rebounds, rim protection and locker-room leadership. They complemented each other: Frazier outward and flashy, Reed inward and stoic. On the floor they were seamless—Reed's high post opened Frazier's drives, and Frazier's penetration fed Reed easy looks.

New York's team philosophy meant neither's box score exploded, but the wins told the story: championships in 1969-70 and 1972-73. Frazier + Reed is the classic proof of 1+1>2.

Related Reading

• Frazier and Reed: The Knicks’ Backcourt-and-Paint Tandem
• From Player to Coach: Reed’s Post-Playing Life
• The Defensive Anchor: How Reed Built the Knicks’ Iron Interior
• 1973 Again: Reed’s Second Finals MVP
• Willis Reed: The Man Who Walked Out Hurt, and the Knicks’ First Crown