History

1970 NBA All-Star recap

Willis Reed powers the East to a 142-135 victory and takes MVP honors after a 21-point, 11-rebound performance.

From NBA.com Staff

September 13, 2021 12:53 PM

EAST 142, WEST 135, at The Spectrum (Philadelphia)

ATTENDANCE: 15,244

MVP: Willis Reed

In the 1969-70 season, the New York Knicks ran roughshod over the league en route to winning The Finals. It’s no surprise, then, that the Knicks’ heroes from that season delivered at Philadelphia’s Spectrum in the All-Star Game.

In one of his final All-Star appearances, Willis Reed claimed MVP honors on the heels of a 21-point, 11-rebound performance as the East won 142-135. His fellow Knicks teammates Walt Frazier and Dave DeBusschere also made an impact on the game, though not as deep as Reed’s. Frazier finished with seven points in 24 minutes while DeBusschere was efficient in his 14 minutes, scoring 10 points and pulling down seven rebounds.

Aside from those Knicks heroics, the 1970 All-Star Game had some notable events associated with it. Future Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (East) and Connie Hawkins (West) made their All-Star debuts. Abdul-Jabbar had 10 points and 11 rebounds off the bench while Hawkins had 10 points and four rebounds as a West starting forward. Hawkins, who played two seasons in the ABA before signing with the Suns in 1969, became the first player to play in both the ABA and NBA All-Star Games.

The game also marked the first of two games in which the Van Arsdale twins would appear together. Dick Van Arsdale, a member of the Suns, scored eight points for the West off the bench. His brother, Tom, came off the bench to score five points in 8 minutes for the East. Additionally, the Pistons’ Jimmy Walker made his All-Star debut in this game as a reserve. Walker is the estranged father of Jalen Rose, the 1999 Most Improved Player Award winner.