Knicks honor Anthony Mason with pregame tribute

The New York Knicks honored the late Anthony Mason with a pregame tribute before playing the Toronto Raptors on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

Author:
SI Wire
Publish date:
Feb 28, 2015

The New York Knicks honored the late Anthony Mason with a pregame tribute before playing the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Mason died on Saturday after suffering a heart attack and being diagnosed with congestive heart failure earlier this month. A 6-foot-7 forward renowned for his toughness and ability to matchup with bigger opponents, Mason spent five of his 13 NBA seasons with the Knicks (1991-96).

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During Saturday's video tribute to Mason at Madison Square Garden—which can be viewed on NBA.com—Knicks PA announcer Mike Walczewski recalled Mason's legacy during his time in New York. With Mason, the Knicks reached the NBA Finals in 1994. Mason was also named Sixth Man of the Year in 1995.

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"Perhaps more than any player, the man we knew and loved as 'Mase' personified the Knicks of the 1990s with his heart, his determination and his tough-minded attitude," Walczewski said. "A product of the city streets, he carried the hopes and dreams of his native city throughout one of the greatest periods in Knicks history."

GALLERY: Classic photos of Knicks fan favorite Anthony Mason