It may have been Ewing's team, and Oakley may have been the symbol of muscle and physicality, but along with Starks I think Anthony Mason was the greatest representative of what the 90's Knicks were and stood for.
One of My favorite Knicks EVER... Loved him as a player and his attitude too...Many disliked him but honestly it's because he spoke the truth. rip Mase
I got my haircut correct like Anthony Mason However John Starks and Pat Ewing are also mentioned in Beastie Boys songs.... I got heart like John Starks hitting mad sparks I lead my team to 60 wins like my man Pat Ewing They also mention Clyde Frazier in Pass the Mic "I'm like Clyde and I'm rocking steady Although my favorite sports reference was in Hey Ladies "and I've got more hits than Saduhara Oh"
It's all good.... I believe the Pat Ewing reference was in a song called Flute Loop on Ill Communication. Funny thing is there is a store up the street from me that has a Ewing jersey. I have considered purchasing it despite the fact that I'm not a Knicks fan. I think it's about 70 bucks US.
I guess an ultimate compliment could come from a Knick hater, so I guess I'll weigh in. Always hated the Knicks especially that team. Hated Ewing and Oakley and Starks and Cartwright and Jackson when he was there. But I think the guy I hated most was Mason. Couldn't stand him, his game his look, his persona, the whole package. So I guess I'm saying I feel bad for you guys because you guys lost a great Knick. But I still hated him. RIP. Too damn young. _
he went way too soon, a good guy and a good player. I was lucky enough to interact w/ him numerous times over the past few years. A sad day.
Okay, I'll say it. First, my condolences to his family, etc., but anyone find it a little odd that a 48 year old dies of congestive heart failure? I'm 48. I've never been mistaken for a world class athlete, surprisingly. How can this guy's ticker be so shot at his age? Just doesn't add up.
If you had seen him in recent years you'd understand. He was HUGE, not fat like fat albert but very big in the upper body. His heart had to be working triple overtime on a daily basis. He was still active playing pickup and working out but he was huge.
The incidence of heart disease, hypertension and health issues surrounding the heart are much higher in the African American population, and especially males, then in the rest of the population. Could be genetics or diet or a whole host of issues. Also being such a big man, they have a much shorted life span than the norm, usually realted to heart issues. Also, when you're a world class athlete your body is constantly being trained and maintained at the highest level. I would imagine once you stop being that athlete but you continue to consume the way you did while you were an athlete contributes to weight gain and the health risks associated with it. Unless he was one of those guys that continued to train post retirement--your body can't sustain all the extra stuff you used to burn off. It's like everything conspired against him. _
