***Willis Reed VS Kareem Abdul-Jabbar***

[Andrew32]

Reed and Abdul Jabbar

The two really only met in the 1970 season, the 1970 playoff series, and the 1971 season. After that, Reed was hurt 1972 and was not the same in his final season.

In the two seasons that Reed was healthy, his Knicks beat the Bucks 12 out of 16 games. In 1971, when the Bucks were 66-16, the Knicks defeated Milwaukee four out of five times.

Reed frustrated Kareem on several occasions, including three times when he outscored him.

Nov. 3, 1970 : Knicks 112-108 : Reed 35 points | Jabbar 17 points
Nov. 27, 1971 : Knicks 103-94 : Reed 34 points | Jabbar 33 points
Jan. 26, 1971 : Knicks 107-98 : Reed 35 points | Jabbar 29 points

The Knicks won the 1970 title. The Bucks won the 1971 title. In 1973, the Knicks regained the belt. It would have been a wonderful battle throughout the 1970s if Reed had remained healthy. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would wait a few years to face a formidable challenge. This time, it came not from a native New Yorker, but from another UCLA Center. Bill Walton would win his share of battles with Kareem as Willis did but similar to Reed, Walton's body gave out far too soon.

Marv Albert : "It seems to me, trying to remember all these years later, that Willis used to kill Kareem. Reed would outplay him. I used to think Kareem was afraid of him. He watched him in New York, growing up. There was always that possibility that Reed would deck him."

Pete Vecsey : "Willis Reed was one of the fiercest competitors you'll ever find. He wiped the deck with opponents. He once beat up four Lakers, he broke John Block's jaw... another time, he was in the middle of a huge brawl in Atlanta. He was a great team player and one of the all-time enforcers. His teammates loved him."

Marv Albert : "I remember what Vecsey was talking about. It was opening night at Madison Square Garden against the Lakers. John Block just happened to be in the way. Willis just lost it. He was being restrained, and I think he once got beat up as a child when restrained. So, a fight broke out, and Reed broke free from whomever was holding him back, and he just went up and down the Lakers bench. He got Rudy Larusso as well."

[Hangtime]

Reed was underrated. A fierce competitor and defender. Gets lost in the discussion among great centers of that particular era.

[Chronz]

Brutes always have twig boy problems y

[fanofclendennon]

Reed was very underrated but let's not forget he was an experienced pro in Jabbar's early days (when he was Alcindor) backed by a much more talented and better coached team while Alcindor was expected to play savior for a team whose only other assets were Jon McGlocklin and Bob Dandridge.

A year later, when Alcindor (now Jabbar) had help in the form of one Oscar Robertson, he was able to lead his team to a championship.

Reed was great and he was one of my heros back when i was still a devoted Knicks fan. (Haven't followed them in years). But let's be real: Reed was no Jabbar.

[Reversed86Curse]

Reed was very underrated but let's not forget he was an experienced pro in Jabbar's early days (when he was Alcindor) backed by a much more talented and better coached team while Alcindor was expected to play savior for a team whose only other assets were Jon McGlocklin and Bob Dandridge.

A year later, when Alcindor (now Jabbar) had help in the form of one Oscar Robertson, he was able to lead his team to a championship.

Reed was great and he was one of my heros back when i was still a devoted Knicks fan. (Haven't followed them in years). But let's be real: Reed was no Jabbar.

That about sums it up. I've never been big on Reed overall- I do think he is underrated in discussions for that time, but I see him as David Robinson to Hakeem.... comparable for a time, stifled him when they played, but overall not in the same tier at the end of their careers

[bagwell368]

Reed had a much better team around him then Alcindor did initially w/ Bobby Dandridge.

[JordansBulls]

Reed had a much better team around him then Alcindor did initially w/ Bobby Dandridge.

In 1970 yes, 1971-1974 no.

[Chronz]

Those quotes came from Whos better whos best didnt it

[JordansBulls]

Those quotes came from Whos better whos best didnt it

The guy who was trying to rank Shaq #1 all time back in 2003?

[bagwell368]

In 1970 yes, 1971-1974 no.

Like I said - initially. The Knicks remained better, and Jabbar's team did not. Cowens had his time of harassing Jabbar as well. Jabbar lasted forever and got better. Reed and Cowens didn't last nearly as long or play at such a high level night in and night out.

Jabbar 16 years > 10 WS (6 above Reed's best)

Reed 4 years > 10 WS