Willis Reed breaks down styles of his best opponents

70sFan · Post #1 » by **70sFan** » Wed Mar 29, 2023 9:43 pm

It's a remarkable article I found on Twitter and decided to share it here, as I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy it:

Read on Twitter

rk2023 · Post #2 » by **rk2023** » Wed Mar 29, 2023 11:40 pm

Absolutely tremendous share, thank you for this (plan to read further later on). WiltStats is a great follow for any historian in learning/aspiration. Overall speaking, I find the usage of newspaper / live testimonial to sometimes be a helpful piece in evaluating players from before the merger where there is more scarcity in film & correspondingly more of a need to fill in information gaps through assuming.

Long live Willis Reed and may he rest easy <3.

Tomtolbert · Post #3 » by **Tomtolbert** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:29 am

Excellent, thanks!

capfan33 · Post #4 » by **capfan33** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 1:22 am

Really great, I always love seeing players actually break down their opponents tactically as opposed to the generic platitudes they often give in interviews. I'm assuming you've seen Nate Thurmond's quotes on guarding Kareem and Wilt, similarly fascinating.

Post #5 » by **penbeast0** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 1:46 am

Interesting that he says Hayes was the best shooting big he faced, rather than Cowens or Lanier. When Hayes gets criticized statistically, it's generally for the opposite, poor and mechanical shooting of that turnaround.

The other really interesting thing I saw was his comments about Bellamy's driving ability. Other interviews I've seen about him talk about how Bellamy would put you on his butt and post you but Reed talks about him driving to the basket. Makes me want to watch more Bellamy games from before he went to Atlanta where I saw him the most.

Thank you for posting this!

70sFan · Post #6 » by **70sFan** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:09 pm

penbeast0 wrote:Interesting that he says Hayes was the best shooting big he faced, rather than Cowens or Lanier. When Hayes gets criticized statistically, it's generally for the opposite, poor and mechanical shooting of that turnaround.

The other really interesting thing I saw was his comments about Bellamy's driving ability. Other interviews I've seen about him talk about how Bellamy would put you on his butt and post you but Reed talks about him driving to the basket. Makes me want to watch more Bellamy games from before he went to Atlanta where I saw him the most.

Thank you for posting this!

I have heard quite a few accounts regarding Bellamy's driving game and he seemed to use it in footage I've seen. He wasn't your typical low post guy from the old era, he operated outside quite a bit as well. Truly a fascinating player, even if he never managed to get a considerable success.

wojoaderge · Post #7 » by **wojoaderge** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:31 pm

penbeast0 wrote:Interesting that he says Hayes was the best shooting big he faced, rather than Cowens or Lanier. When Hayes gets criticized statistically, it's generally for the opposite, poor and mechanical shooting of that turnaround.

Remember, this is at the beginning of Lanier and Cowens' 2nd seasons

70sFan · Post #8 » by **70sFan** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:40 am

wojoaderge wrote:
penbeast0 wrote:Interesting that he says Hayes was the best shooting big he faced, rather than Cowens or Lanier. When Hayes gets criticized statistically, it's generally for the opposite, poor and mechanical shooting of that turnaround.

Remember, this is at the beginning of Lanier and Cowens' 2nd seasons

Good point, Lanier and Cowens were still basically after their rookie seasons. Reed gave them a lot of credit in fact.

-Luke- · Post #9 » by **-Luke-** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 2:15 pm

Pretty amazing that from the first MVP voting in 1956 until Larry Bird in 1984, only three MVP awards (Cousy, Oscar, Dr. J) went to non centers or non C/PF combos.

Post #10 » by **penbeast0** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 3:07 pm

-Luke- wrote:Pretty amazing that from the first MVP voting in 1956 until Larry Bird in 1984, only three MVP awards (Cousy, Oscar, Dr. J) went to non centers or non C/PF combos.

Not a shock when you realize that centers were arguably the most important players on the floor on BOTH defense and offense in that era. Other than Rick Barry's title in 75, Bad Boy Pistons were the first team to win a title without a HOF center (though some, like Willis Reed/Jerry Lucas in NY weren't playing at a HOF level anymore).

prolific passer · Post #11 » by **prolific passer** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 3:22 pm

Those Celtics teams of the 70s just followed Havlicek's lead and stayed in constant motion and tired their opponents out.

ronnymac2 · Post #12 » by **ronnymac2** » Sat Apr 1, 2023 5:56 pm

Really cool find. He gives props to Thurmond and Unseld as the best defenders in the game, in a league with Chamberlain, Alcindor, Cowens, and Hayes. That's awesome that big Bob Lanier came through Willis's camp for young guys. Never knew that.

RIP to the captain of the New York Knicks.