The Knicks' success continued for the next few years. After losing to
the Bullets in the 1971 Eastern Conference finals, the team, aided by
the acquisitions of Jerry Lucas and Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, returned to
the Finals in 1972. This time
the Knicks
fell to the Lakers in five games. The next year, the results were
reversed, as the Knicks defeated the Lakers in five games to win their
second
NBA title
in four years.[6] The team had one more impressive season in 1973–74,
as they reached the Eastern Conference finals, where they fell in five
games to the Celtics. It was after this season that Reed announced his
retirement, and the team's fortunes took a turn for the worse.
