Sadness reverberated throughout the NBA Saturday morning as people learned of the death of Anthony Mason, a New York icon and key member of the vicious early 1990s Knicks who’d go on to become an All-Star with the Heat. Mason’s family and former teammates and opponents shared statements of longing and admiration:
The whole NBA family, young and old, remembers Anthony Mason
Simon Bruty/Getty Images
The Mason family:
Anthony Mason 1966-2015 pic.twitter.com/ktX7oDGjeT
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) February 28, 2015 Commissioner Adam Silver:
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the passing of Anthony Mason pic.twitter.com/1idFXD1IEf
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 28, 2015 Knicks President Phil Jackson:
Anthony Mason 1966-2015 pic.twitter.com/YY09mESiEV
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) February 28, 2015
Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing:
Statements from Hornets owner Michael Jordan and former Knicks teammate Patrick Ewing on the death of Anthony Mason pic.twitter.com/0ayMrdySZq
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 28, 2015 Equally indicative of Mason’s legacy were the responses of players in and around the current NBA. The tragedy of Mason’s passing at just 48 years old is reflected by the number of recent and even current players who not only grew up watching him, but remember playing with or against him. Knicks and former Knicks in particular remember Mason as a frequent presence around the practice facility, and someone happy to offer instruction and advice:
Thoughts and prayers go out today to the family of Anthony Mason, gone too soon... #OnceAKnickAlwaysAKnick
— David Lee (@Dlee042) February 28, 2015 MY MAN MY MAN A. MASON R.I.P, WE GONNA MISS U BROTHER
— Charles Oakley (@CharlesOakley34) February 28, 2015 "@chibbs_1: Me and my guy Anthony mason R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/khijUwQTAs"Hell of a basketball player and a good http://t.co/horxAVu8r1 MASON
— Larry Johnson (@TheRealLJ2) February 28, 2015
Been such a heavy heart lately in the NBA family, especially now with the passing of Anthony Mason. Thoughts and prayers to the family..
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) February 28, 2015 Today is a tough day. My prayers go out to the Mason family. Anthony was a good man, friend and teammate who will be greatly missed. #RIP
— Tyrone Muggsy Bogues (@MuggsyBogues) February 28, 2015 #RIPAnthonyMason - gone too soon. I'm sending prayers to his family, friends and the @nyknicks. #6thMan pic.twitter.com/UnwAF95bH7
— Horace Grant (@horacegrant54) February 28, 2015 RIP to Anthony Mason, those Knick days with you and the rest of the guys had me glued to the TV as a youngster, prayers up for the family
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 28, 2015 #RIPAnthonyMason played with my pops in Charlotte & always treated me like his son when I was around. Prayers up for the family!
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) February 28, 2015 Sad & shocked to hear about Anthony Mason passing at 48. I had a chance to play against him. Fierce competitor. #NBAFamily #RIPAnthonyMason
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) February 28, 2015 R.I.P Ant Mason. One of the best teammates i ever had.. Heart of Gold and heart of Fire!! lots of laughs and arguing about NY vs LA #REAL1
— Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) February 28, 2015 And finally, a word from Mason’s son Antoine, a guard at Auburn:
“The cool thing is in certain games, if I mess up or do something, I can picture him with his facial expression, and I start laughing and get into a comfort zone. We have like a deep connection. He doesn’t have to be here for me to know he’s watching me.”
Rest in peace, Mase.
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