Former Knick great Anthony Mason has passed away at age 48. Mason had undergone multiple heart surgeries for congestive heart failure earlier in February and that is what ultimately took his life. He was a big reason the Knicks were able to get to the NBA Finals in 1994 due to his intimidating presence and willingness to bump and bruise guys throughout a game. His numbers weren’t spectacular — 10.9 points, 3.4 assists, 8.3 rebounds, 50.9 percent from the field — but everyone understood that he was going to play the hardest of anyone on the court and that he was an integral part of that team. Mason also played for the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, and New Jersey Nets throughout his 13-year career. He also won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 1995 and was named an All-Star in 2001 with Pat Riley’s Heat.
