Anthony Mason, a fan favorite who epitomized the burly New York Knicks teams of the 1990s, died Saturday morning at the age of 48.
Mason, a 13-year NBA veteran, had been hospitalized in Atlanta earlier this month with congestive heart failure and underwent multiple procedures. “First I want to thank all those who offered prayers and well-wishes for my Father, our family really appreciates it,” his son, Anthony Mason Jr., said Saturday (via ESPN). “Overnight, New York City and the world lost a legend, a friend, a brother … but more than anything our father, Anthony Mason. As you all would expect our father — Big Mase — put up an incredible fight, dealing with a severe heart issue. I’m wishing this was something else I was writing, but Pops we’ve got to let you know we love you and know you’ll always be with us.”
Mason played a big role coming off the bench for a hardscrabble Knicks team that, under coach Pat Riley, featured Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and Johadvanced to the 1994 NBA Finals, losing to Houston. The following season, he was the NBA’s sixth man of the year. In 1995-96, his fifth and final season in New York, he became a starter and set the Knicks’ record for minutes played in a season with 3,457. Mason also played for the Nets, Nuggets, Hornets, Heat and Bucks over his career. Reunited with Riley in Miami in 2000-01, Mason played in his lone all-star game.
“Anthony was a multifaceted individual,” his longtime agent Don Cronson told ESPN.com’s Ian O’Connor (via ESPN). “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.’”
His fight for his live over the last few weeks made headlines and prompted an outpouring of disbelief and support. News of his death Saturday resonated throughout the NBA.
After spending most of her career in traditional print sports journalism, Cindy began blogging and tweeting, first as NFL/Redskins editor, and, since August 2010, at The Early Lead. She also is the social media editor for Sports.
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