This is the first-round matchup I’ve been anticipating the most, not just because it features Mase, but in my opinion, it’s the best first-round matchup in the entire bracket. My biased pick is Mase, but I would also probably vote for Mase all the way to the end.
Jackson’s time with the Knicks was brief, but he still won the 1987 Rookie of the Year award in New York. Before Ewing and Starks, Ewing and Action Jackson were one of the elite dynamic duos in the league.
Antonio Losada
Mase, on the other hand, was New York. He had the heart of a warrior and had every kid in the city wanting his signature haircut. No Knick from the ‘90s embodied New York’s culture more than Mase. His 6’7”, 250-pound frame bled blue and orange.
This one’s too close to call, but if I had to make a prediction, I just don’t see Mase losing.
Indiana Pacers v New York Knicks
#13 Mark Jackson — Jackson cruised to victory in the WWIB #13 segment earning 113 of the 130 votes. Many Knicks fans still consider him to be one of the greatest point guards in Knicks history. For others, myself included, he’s more remembered as one of the many Knicks villains of the ‘90s, teaming up with Reggie Miller to haunt my Knicks for years.
Drafted 10th overall in 1987, “Action Jackson” quickly became part of a promising trio alongside Patrick Ewing and Charles Oakley. As a rookie, he wasted no time making an impact, averaging 13.6 points and 10.6 assists per game. His efforts earned him Rookie of the Year honors, making him the lowest draft pick to win the award since 1958 and the first non-lottery selection ever to do so.
Jackson’s peak came in his second season, when he put up 16.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game—good enough to earn his first and only All-Star nod. Interestingly, he remains the only Knick to make an All-Star team while wearing the number 13. But despite his early success, his performance started to dip in his third season. Conditioning became a concern, and with Rod Strickland emerging as competition for minutes, Jackson’s role on the team began to shrink.
By the time the 1991 season rolled around, Jackson had traded Knicks blue and orange for Clippers red and white.
1996 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 1: New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
#14 Anthony Mason — Just as Jackson did in WWIB #13, Mase ran away with the WWIB #14 chip with 137 of the 163 votes. To be honest, I was surprised he didn’t receive the full 100% vote, but some made a strong case for Snazzy Cazzie.
Mase was a fan favorite among all Knicks fans in the ‘90s. His hard-nosed style of play perfectly reflected the grit and toughness of New York. Simply put, Mase was New York. Alongside Charles Oakley, the two became the Knicks’ version of the “Bash Brothers” during the Riley era, enforcing a no-nonsense, physical style of play. Knocking opponents to the ground was part of the job, and fines were almost guaranteed if they helped them back up.
At 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, Mase was an all-around gifted athlete. He had the strength of a linebacker, the quickness of a guard, and the handles to match. He redefined the role of the “Point Forward” and even took it a step further, famously carving “Point God” into his hair, a title no one dared dispute.
While his best statistical years came after his time in New York, his most memorable years were undeniably with the ‘90s Knicks. In 1995, he cemented his place in franchise history by winning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
I’m just going to throw this out there and not to sway public opinion or anything, but if Mase advances, we’re almost guaranteed a John Starks vs. Anthony Mason showdown in the third round... Just saying.
Poll
Who Really Wore it Best?
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#13 Mark Jackson
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#14 Anthony Mason
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