Beloved Former Knick, Anthony Mason, Has Passed Away At 48

Anthony Mason
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After multiple heart surgeries,  it seemed Anthony Mason had been resuscitated following a heart attack a couple of weeks ago, but it was confirmed he passed away this morning at the age of 48. Our prayers go out to his family and loved ones.

MaseAndStarks

Per ESPN, comes a message from his son, Anthony Mason Jr., to his fans:

“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. “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.”

Anthony averagaed 10.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.4 asissts per gam over a 13-year NBA career with the Knicks, Bucks, Hornets, Heat, Nets and Nuggets, but he’ll always be remembered for his half-decade as a Knicks forward the last time New York fans really embraced their team. Plus, he’s of those guys who can’t be measured by statistical output; you had to watch what he did on the court to truly appreciate his unique ability to affect a game.

He won Sixth Man of the Year in 1995, and was named the All-NBA Third Team in 1997. That same year, he was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team. Anthony also led the NBA in minutes played for the 1996 and ’97 seasons — another testament to his toughness.

But Mase wasn’t recognized for his brilliance at the NBA’s mid-season mark until he was named an All-Star replacement in 2001, when it was clear he wasn’t the dominating force he was with the Knicks in the early 90s. Still, it was a treat to see his hulking presence in the game, however much his skills failed to gel with the offensive theatrics of the exhibition.

Mason was an NBA forward trapped in an NFL lineman’s body. He was listed at 6-7, 250, but that was a very generous 250 pounds. That big body could move with the lightness of a ballerina on an NBA hardwood, though, and we’ll always remember how deftly he moved his girth around both ends of the floor.

“I get my hair cut correct like Anthony Mason.”

Anthony Mason
Getty Image

Here you can watch him talk about life long after he retired:

Or watch perhaps one of his finest all-around games when he dropped a triple-double on the Raptors — and former teammate and friend, Charles Oakley — while pounding Vince Carter on the other end in this 110-101 Hornets win in 2000:

Anthony Mason will be missed.

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