Anthony Mason (basketball)

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Anthony George Douglas Mason (born December 14, 1966 in Miami, Florida) is a retired American National Basketball Association player with the New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat. He averaged 10.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in his 13-year NBA career. Mason, who played primarily the power forward position despite his relatively diminutive stature (he stood at 6' 7" or 201 cm), compensated his lack of size by his impressive musculature, which made him one of the most feared defensive players in the league. In addition to his physical strength, he could rely on a very good court vision and was a precise and effective passer. He was also known for shaving logos and words into his head.

Mason attended Tennessee State University and was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the third round of the 1988 NBA Draft (53rd pick), but was cut shortly afterwards. He then played for Efes Pilsen basketball club in Turkey, the CBA and the USBL for about a year. He had brief stints with the New Jersey Nets, where he averaged 1.8 points, and the Denver Nuggets, where he played only 3 games. Mason then signed with the New York Knicks in the summer of 1991.

Under legendary coach Pat Riley, Mason blossomed in New York, where he made up a strong front court alongside Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and Charles Smith. In 1994, the Knicks reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1973 but lost in seven games to the Hakeem Olajuwon-led Houston Rockets. Mason was traded in 1996 to the Charlotte Hornets with Brad Lohaus for Larry Johnson. In 2000, he was sent to the Miami Heat with Eddie Jones, Ricky Davis and Dale Ellis for Jamal Mashburn, P.J. Brown, Tim James, Rodney Buford and Otis Thorpe, and finished his career with the Milwaukee Bucks. He retired in 2003, and fixed residence in Memphis, Tennessee.

Mason won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 1995. He was named to the 1996-'97 All-NBA Third Team and to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. He led the league in minutes played in 1995-'96 (3,457), also setting a Knicks record with the number. He also led the league in minutes played per game in 1996-97 (43.1).

His first season with the Hornets was the best in his NBA career. He recorded career-highs in minutes played (43.1), points (16.2), rebounds (11.4) and assists (5.7) and also 4 triple-doubles (the first in his career). He missed the entire 1998-'99 season due to an injury, then averaged 11.6 points and 8.5 rebounds the following one.

In Miami, although Mason had been brought over by Miami coach Pat Riley to be a role player on a contender Heat team, the kidney ailment of Alonzo Mourning forced him to sit out and made Mason a primary contributor for the team. Mason would respond by finishing second on the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game and would also average 9.6 rebounds. With Mourning and Grant Hill sidelined during the 2001 NBA All Star Game, Mason was chosen to represent the Heat, and it would be his first and only selection to an All-Star team.

He signed with the Milwaukee Bucks for the 2001-02 season. The team was full of stars already and, adding Mason to the front line, seemed like "the force" in the East. Due to chemistry and other problems though, the Bucks failed to meet the expectations and didn't even make the playoffs. Mason's numbers went down as well: 9.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg.

Mason's son, 6'7", 203 lb, Anthony Mason Jr., is currently a junior on the St. John's University Red Storm basketball team.

[edit] TV/Movie/Music appearances

In the TV series New York Undercover, Mason appeared in two different episodes, playing himself in one. He also plays a pickup player in 1996's movie Eddie, and himself in Woody Allen's Celebrity.

In addition, Mason appears in the Diamond D rap video "Best Kept Secret," dunking his way through the video on a New York City playground basketball court.

The Beastie Boys song "B-Boys Makin' With The Freak Freak" from 1994's Ill Communication LP mentions him with the lyric "I Got My Hair Cut Correct Like Anthony Mason" - The Beasties being NY Knicks fans.[1]

[edit] External links

• NBA.com profile
• Career Statistics
• Anthony Mason at the Internet Movie Database