In the wake of Anthony Mason’s passing, so many foes remember the ex-Knick’s fight, so many fans recall his ferocity. And while the tough Queens product lived up to that reputation, those who got to know him reminisced not just of how he bullied his opponents but backed his friends and family.
“I just remember what a great guy he was,’’ said Tim Hardaway Jr., who got to know Mason when the latter played alongside his father in Miami. “Him and my dad were always together in Miami and I was around. He’d always take care of me, always talked to me. It was just sad to see the news.
“He just treated me like I was one of his. All I know is every time I was around him he had great energy, he had great passion and great love. He was just a kind-hearted person, selfless. He was just there for you.’’
While Mason made his name as a Knick, he made his only All-Star appearance with Hardaway’s Heat in 2001. Hardaway Jr. was only 9 at the time, but they remembered each other last season when Hardaway Jr. joined the Knicks.
“He thought I didn’t remember him, but I remembered him like it was yesterday. It was great just to see him still here, being around the organization, going to appearances,’’ Hardaway Jr. said. “He’d be at the games and definitely speak a lot of knowledge to you, just to make sure how you were doing and if you needed anything, let him know.’’
Lance Thomas — a Brooklyn native who grew up watching Mason play for his hometown Knicks — remembered Mason’s dedication to his own family, first meeting him when he played against Mason’s son, Anthony Jr.
“I played against Anthony Jr. when I was in college [at Duke] when he was at St. John’s, and I got a chance to meet him one time there. It was just great,’’ Thomas said. “It was one of those moments where you try to act cool and not be starstruck. He was a New York legend. … People who appreciate the game of basketball know how big a loss this is. My condolences go out to his family.’’
His tenderness and consideration toward that family is what Ron Dick still remembers a quarter of a century after meeting him. Dick, then coaching the Philadelphia Spirit, coached Mason in the 1991 United States Basketball League All-Star Game and still recalls his chivalry toward his mother and grandmother.
“I remember what a gentleman he was with his mother and his grandmother, pulling their chair out for them in a social setting,’’ said Dick, now a Duquesne professor. “It was a pleasure to coach him. He was a real gentleman.’’
It was a far cry from the image many had of Mason on the court, or even the first time Dick had seen the bruising forward when Mason — with the Long Island Surf — battered Dick’s Spirit that season.
“He played angry,’’ Dick said. “I was with Rodney Blake and we were going over the roster. Rodney said, ‘Oh, Anthony Mason, I know him. He’s 6-8, 250, really big, really strong, he can score, he can shoot, he can dribble, he can pass.’ I said, ‘Rodney, what’s he doing here?’ He said, ‘Oh, the most dangerous part of him? He’s really, really mean.’ ’’
Dick’s Spirit found that out the hard way.
“I remember him driving the lane against Dallas Comegys,” Dick said. “He took the ball, stuck it forward right into Dallas’ chest and face. Dallas got called for a foul, and-one. Dallas looks like he just got shot. Me and the trainer run out on the court, Dallas ends up needing stitches over his eye. I turned and looked at Mason and said, ‘You did it on purpose.’ He’s on the foul line snickering.’’