NYC Mayor Eric Adams On Willis Reed’s Legacy, ‘He’s New York’

NYC Mayor Eric Adams will at all times revere Knicks legend Willis Reed for the 2 championships he delivered to the town of New York … however he tells TMZ Sports that Reed’s perseverance within the face of adversity is what makes him an icon in NY.

We spoke to Mayor Adams simply days after Reed passed away at 80 years previous … and requested what Reed’s legacy means to him now that the NBA legend is not with us.

“Willis Reed was my guy,” Mayor Adams mentioned. “He showed the resiliency of New York. Everyone remembers that championship game. Walking on one knee. His scoring the points. He’s New York.”

“We may have lost him physically, but he will always be here spiritually,” he added.

Reed — a seven-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion — handed away on Tuesday … and had been reportedly battling congestive coronary heart failure.

Willis — affectionately often known as “The Captain” — gained two titles with the Knicks … however he is most remembered for enjoying in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals towards the Lakers.

Reed’s standing for Game 7 was in query … however the 6-foot-10 heart emerged from the tunnel simply moments earlier than the deciding sport began, strolling gingerly onto the court docket — and despatched the group at Madison Square Garden right into a frenzy.

The relaxation was historical past — Reed delivered the Knicks their first championship in 1970 and gained one other chip in 1973. In 1982, Willis was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.