Frazier and Reed: The Knicks’ Backcourt-and-Paint Tandem

The man who dropped 36 points and 19 assists on title night in 1970 was Walt Frazier; the man who limped out was Willis Reed. This "interior pillar + perimeter brain" combo was the bedrock of the Knicks' golden age.

Frazier was one of the smoothest guards of his era—fierce defender, precise passer; Reed was the steady inside core, owning rebounds, rim protection and locker-room leadership. Their temperaments complemented: Frazier flamboyant, Reed stoic. On the floor they fit perfectly—Reed's high post fed Frazier's drives, and Frazier's penetration kicked out to Reed for easy looks.

The Knicks' team philosophy made neither's box score explode, but the win column told the story: champions in 1969-70 and 1972-73, multiple 60-win seasons. Reed + Frazier is the classic "1+1>2" basketball footnote.

As captain, Reed often mediated and unified the room—a mentor to Frazier and the young guys. Without Reed, the Knicks might have been good players; with him, a championship team.

Related Reading

• 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
• 2023 Curtain Call: Reed Passes, New York Lowers Its Flag