Robert Reid, a figure for the Houston Rockets during the 1980’s, tragically passed away at 68 years old. The team confirmed his death, citing reports that he succumbed to cancer. Reid was a standout forward for the Rockets playing in the NBA for 13 seasons with his decade dedicated to Houston. He was selected by the Rockets in the round of the 1977 NBA draft. Quickly, he made a mark with his scoring ability, rebounding prowess and defensive steals.
Robert Reid was Crucial Leading Scorer in the Rockets
One of my favorite #Rockets players was Robert Reid b/c he was a "Team first" player & left it all on the floor every night. He knew it was a blessing he had the chance to play in the NBA and never took it for granted. I spoke with Calvin Murphy today about the passing of Reid. pic.twitter.com/fI8c7lTjJW
— Randy McIlvoy (@KPRC2RandyMc) February 20, 2024
One of Reid’s seasons was in 1980-81, when he played a crucial role in guiding the Houston Rockets to the NBA Finals. Despite starting the playoffs with a 40-42 record, Reid and fellow stars like Moses Malone and Calvin Murphy led Houston to upset the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers in the opening round. Noteworthy was Reid’s standout performance against the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Finals when he tallied 27 points.In 1982, Reid took a retirement break to focus on his faith. He returned stronger than ever in the following year, demonstrating his skills by averaging 14.0 points per game during the 1983 84 season.
Pivotal Role in Houston Rockets Journey to NBA Finals
People forget that Robert Reid was the second leading scorer on the 1981 Rockets team that went to the Finals. Also without his 3 that tied the game vs the Lakers in the 86 Conference Finals that Ralph Sampson miracle shot wouldn’t have happened.
RIP Rockets legend Robert Reid. pic.twitter.com/3QKzrsq9tb— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 20, 2024
In 1986, Robert Reid played a pivotal role in the Rockets journey to the NBA Finals making contributions both off the bench and as a starter. The memorable moment of the Rockets triumph over the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals thanks to Reid’s performance marked a highlight in his career.
Magic Johnson Shares Thoughts On Robert Reid
I’m deeply saddened by the news that my friend Robert Reid passed away today. Robert was a fierce competitor for the Houston Rockets and one of the best defensive players the league has ever seen! He was always a good host when I visited Houston, and we shared many meals together… pic.twitter.com/EF96jBg0ZX
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 20, 2024
Magic Johnson expressed his feelings on Twitter about losing his friend. He shared, “I am deeply saddened by the news.” In the 1986 Western Conference Finals, Magic Johnson and Robert Reid had a showdown as the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Houston Rockets. The Rockets, with Reid at the helm, surprised everyone by clinching the series. Reid’s crucial three pointer in Game 5 proved to be a moment, in securing the Rockets victory.
Reid’s influence extended beyond the basketball court. After retiring from playing he remained actively engaged in community service. He committed himself to charitable endeavors. He took on coaching roles in leagues and organized basketball clinics worldwide to pass on his passion and expertise for the game. His coaching style and community involvement reflected his humility and compassion towards others. It was particularly evident in Robert Reid through his empathy in his dedication to nurturing players.
About Author
Jocelyn Paige Kelly is not your typical sports writer. She’s a Clarion West grad, short story writer, and poet. If you’re lucky you might catch her on Twitter tweeting as @jossome or you can read one of her many published short stories here. She has an interesting history of writing blogs for various companies from a psychic network to a supplements company. Nothing, except her kidneys, phase her.