It brings me very close to tears to hear today that Former Knick Anthony Mason Dies At 48. Despite growing up a Chicago Bulls fan, I loved watching Anthony Mason play, he was such an intimidating force in the paint yet had the sweetest touch shooting the ball. He used to bring the MSG crowds to their feet in an instant, his energy, was so different from the Ewing's, Jordan's, Barkley's, he was as blue-collar an NBA player as their was. Anthony was the kind of player who had his teammates back's and likely did off the court too.M
Mason teamed with Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and John Starks to help the Knicks win the Eastern Conference in 1994 and reach the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games.
"My heart is heavy after learning that we lost Anthony Mason last night," Ewing said in a statement. "We were teammates on the Knicks for five great seasons. Mase came to play every night and was always ready to go to battle with me every time we stepped on the court together.
"I will remember him for his strength, determination and perseverance. My thoughts are with his family. May he rest in peace."
Knicks president Phil Jackson, who coached against Mason during his time with the Chicago Bulls, also released a statement Saturday.
"As a competitor, there was none fiercer than Anthony Mason," Jackson said. "Standing on the opposite end of the playing field, coaching in those great Chicago/New York battles, No. 14 in Orange and Blue always stood out. On behalf of the entire Knickerbocker community, our condolences go out to his family.
Mason won the NBA's Sixth Man Award in 1994-95 as a member of the Knicks. He also played with the Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat following his stint with the Knicks.
"Anthony was a multifaceted individual," his longtime agent Don Cronson told ESPN.com's Ian O'Connor. "There were many aspects to his personality, and some that people weren't aware of. In the best sense of the term he was a momma's boy. From the day I met him he was always thinking of his mom and taking care of her. As rough and tough as he was, Anthony was also a doting father, and I saw that many times.
"Anthony willed himself into the NBA, and very few players can do that. Any NBA team could've had him for a nickel, and he turned out to be the perfect Pat Riley player. I think Pat saw a lot of himself in Anthony, and really they were the same guy. That's why they butted heads as often as they did. They were both blue-collar guys and fighters. Anthony told me, 'Pat Riley was the one who gave me my chance. He's the one who saw something in me when nobody else did.'"
Mason's other son Antoine, a senior basketball player at Auburn, had said earlier this week that his father was "getting better" following multiple heart surgeries.
Mason's family released a statement Saturday morning, saying that he "fought like a warrior to the very end."
Anthony you were one of the best in my book. You never gave up on your dreams. You played the game for the team not the number/name on the back of the Jersey.
You will certainly be missed. May you rest in peace.