Ex-Knicks enforcer Anthony Mason fighting for life following surgery
Anthony Mason, who earned the reputation as one of the NBA’s toughest players throughout the 1990s, is fighting for his life.
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A basketball world still reeling from the deaths of coaching icons Dean Smith and Jerry Tarkanian is holding their highest prayers that a third tragic loss in less than a week does not become reality.
Longtime NBA forward Anthony Mason, who personified the rugged nature of the 1990s, is fighting for his life with a variety of ailments, including congestive heart failure that led to open heart surgery on Tuesday night.
Sickened 2 report, ex-Knick Anthony Mason fighting 4 life. Congestive heart failure, heart attack, 4 surgeries, last one 9 hrs. Sons by side
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) February 11, 2015
News will continue to come in, yet it’s a very sad piece of news regarding a man who celebrated his 48th birthday just two months ago.
Mason spent 16 years (1988-2003) in the NBA with six teams, yet is best known for his six years with the Knicks, where the muscular 6’7, 250-pounder became a fan favorite while also helping lead the game from the wide-open play of the 80s to the brutal, grinding style that resulting in the low-scoring style that personified much of the remainder of the 90s.
Along with Patrick Ewing, Mason helped guide the Knicks to three Eastern Conference finals and a trip to the 1994 NBA finals, where New York lost in seven to the Houston Rockets. His high-energy earned him the Association’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 1995 before he was traded the following season to the Hornets as part of the Larry Johnson deal. Mason had his best season as a pro, where he averaged 16.1 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists (all career-highs) in Charlotte, which resulted in him receiving All-NBA Third Team honors.
Mason made his only All-Star game appearance as a member of the Heat in 2000 when injuries to Alonzo Mourning and Grant Hill led the way for Mason to suit up with the game’s best. He ended his career with the Bucks, where his intensity and outspoken nature rubbed coach George Karl the wrong way while also being wrongly blamed for the collapse of a team that played for the Eastern Conference title in 2001.
Mason’s two sons are currently at his side. His youngest son, Antoine, is a member of the Auburn basketball team.
Social media has been filled with prayers and best wishes for Mason, many of whom remember him as one of the Knicks’ enforcers while donning an intimidating haircut that became a trend. At 48, Mason has plenty of years ahead of him, and we also add our prayers in hoping he’ll be able to live them.
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