dead at 48, never fully recovered from a heart attack earlier this month. Absolutely hated the dude when I was a Rockets fan growing up, but he was a gritty player.

Damn. Hadn't heard. Way too young. Great competitor.

RIP.

I hated that guy. To me, more than any other player, he defined the style of play in the NBA in the 90s (slow, overly rough, bogged down basketball).

Thank God they changed the rules to make the game was it is today (lots of movement and an emphasis on shooting).

Wasn't a fan of his when he played, but I really respect guys like him who come from nowhere (3rd rounder from Tenn St, an HBCU school). And from most accounts, involved in his sons lives.

He gained about 100 pounds though once basketball was over.

Bison dele?

I just caught the news about 10 mins ago. I was never a Knick fan. But I was big on this guy back in the 90s and often brought his name up to a good friend of mine that was obsessed with basketball back then when Mason was playing. What a competitor he was back then. Loved watching him play

quote:

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I hated that guy. To me, more than any other player, he defined the style of play in the NBA in the 90s (slow, overly rough, bogged down basketball).

Thank God they changed the rules to make the game was it is today (lots of movement and an emphasis on shooting).

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I get that this is a message board, but is this really the time or the place for these type of comments?

I see your point and did not intend to offend anyone, but discussing the actual legacy of a deceased public figure on a basketball forum, that isn't affiliated with or centered around Anthony Mason's fans or the NY Knicks/Charlotte Hornets, is appropriate in my opinion. Mason embraced his role as a "villain" on the court and likely knew what his ultimate reputation would be. There are likely articles being published today by news outlets that will discuss, as part of a eulogizing article, his villain status among opposing fans and opponents. The same will be said when people discuss the legacies of Bill Laimbeer or Dennis Rodman. If they were on your team, you loved them; If they were on the opposing team, you hated them.

I didn't think it was that bad, and probably a true sentiment for many.

It would be worse if you were celebrating his death or wishing ill will on the guy

Sad to hear. Agree with the "he embodied 90s basketball." I thought of him as kind of a poor man's Oakley. Guy you want on your team and hate to play against.

48 is way too young.