Anthony Mason, Knicks' "best kept secret" from the '90s glory days, dies

Anthony Mason, a fan favorite and solid contributor for the strong New York Knicks teams of the mid-1990s, died too young early today.  I was born in the early 1970s and lived outside of New York for most of the next 35 years, and watched a lot of NBA basketball, particularly during that time, which is widely viewed as a peak for the league's popularity.  Michael Jordan was at his peak, as were other big-time stars like Patrick Ewing.  Ewing's Knicks and Jordan's Bulls played many good games, fighting with the Pacers, Heat and others for top dog in the Eastern Conference.  Mason played a key role on those Knicks teams.  He never had a ton of skill, and definitely didn't have the pedigree, but he fought his way up through the lesser leagues and eventually earned the respect of Knicks coach Pat Riley and a spot in the Knicks rotation, providing muscle, rebounding, second-chance points and a little intimidation and swagger.  I mean, Jordan was in a Michael Jackson video.  Mason?  Nah, his style was more fitting for legendary New York City hip-hop producer Diamond D, who released a classic LP in 1992 and put Mase front and center in this video for his song, Best Kept Secret.  And that was a good description for Mason.  If your team was playing against the Knicks, you'd think of Ewing or Starks or Oakley or Allan Houston, and then Mason would go for 16 and 12 with 2 steals and they'd beat you 80-78.  When I heard about his passing today, for some reason, it didn't take me long for my mind to drift to this somewhat goofy vid.

Here's Diamond's late golden age classic in full.