Knicks a Perfect Match for Mason, Jr.
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The Knicks are excited to add Roger Mason, Jr. and his sweet stroke to the lineup.
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Being an East Coast guy and a 3-point specialist in the NBA, Roger Mason Jr. didn’t really have to put much thought into signing with the Knicks earlier this summer. Not only would he be living close to his native Washington D.C., but the veteran shooting guard liked the idea of running up and down the floor in New York’s unique system.
“I was definitely excited about hearing the news from my agent,” said Mason as he watched a Liberty playoff game with his new teammates at Madison Square Garden. “With Mike D’Antoni’s system, I felt like I’d fit in perfectly. They have a lot of skilled players and shooters, and I think there’s something that I can bring to the table.”
Mason, who played for the San Antonio Spurs the previous two seasons, officially inked a one-year deal with the Knicks on Aug. 10, just over a month after the highly anticipated free agency period began. At 29 years old, the Knicks are Mason’s fifth team in seven NBA seasons. He will have an opportunity to play big minutes, and possibly start, with New York.
Two years ago, Mason filled in for the injured Manu Ginobili and had a breakout year, averaging 11.8 points on 42.1 percent shooting from 3-point range. The Knicks, who were exploring the market for a 3-point shooter after signing Amar’e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton and trading for three other players in July, are hoping that Mason will have similar success from beyond the arc in New York.
“I’m really excited about it, I really am,” said Mason, who has made 38.1 percent of his 3-point attempts and 87.1 percent of his free throws throughout his career. “I can feel the energy in the city, and we’re just ready to get to work. We know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m excited about our team and to start working.”
Mason’s production dropped off a bit last season after injuring his right hand on Feb. 21, forcing him to play the final months of the season with a brace on his shooting hand. He still managed to play in a total of 79 games in the regular season and six in the postseason, but underwent surgery in May to repair the torn ligament. He averaged 6.3 points on 38.9 percent shooting.
But Mason has been working out this summer and will be ready when training camp opens later this month. “I’m fully healed and I’m ready to go,” he said.
In fact, Mason is already working out with several of his teammates.
“It’s really a good thing that everyone is getting in there early,” Mason said. “We already got eight or nine guys in there now. It’s good that we’re starting to get to know each other before training camp.”
As far as getting familiar with the city, Mason still has some exploring to do, saying “I don’t know much about New York other than what everyone else knows.” But Mason does know how to shoot and will certainly be a perfect piece to the Knicks’ puzzle this season as they push for the postseason.
“I was definitely excited about hearing the news from my agent,” said Mason as he watched a Liberty playoff game with his new teammates at Madison Square Garden. “With Mike D’Antoni’s system, I felt like I’d fit in perfectly. They have a lot of skilled players and shooters, and I think there’s something that I can bring to the table.”
Mason, who played for the San Antonio Spurs the previous two seasons, officially inked a one-year deal with the Knicks on Aug. 10, just over a month after the highly anticipated free agency period began. At 29 years old, the Knicks are Mason’s fifth team in seven NBA seasons. He will have an opportunity to play big minutes, and possibly start, with New York.
Two years ago, Mason filled in for the injured Manu Ginobili and had a breakout year, averaging 11.8 points on 42.1 percent shooting from 3-point range. The Knicks, who were exploring the market for a 3-point shooter after signing Amar’e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton and trading for three other players in July, are hoping that Mason will have similar success from beyond the arc in New York.
“I’m really excited about it, I really am,” said Mason, who has made 38.1 percent of his 3-point attempts and 87.1 percent of his free throws throughout his career. “I can feel the energy in the city, and we’re just ready to get to work. We know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m excited about our team and to start working.”
Mason’s production dropped off a bit last season after injuring his right hand on Feb. 21, forcing him to play the final months of the season with a brace on his shooting hand. He still managed to play in a total of 79 games in the regular season and six in the postseason, but underwent surgery in May to repair the torn ligament. He averaged 6.3 points on 38.9 percent shooting.
But Mason has been working out this summer and will be ready when training camp opens later this month. “I’m fully healed and I’m ready to go,” he said.
In fact, Mason is already working out with several of his teammates.
“It’s really a good thing that everyone is getting in there early,” Mason said. “We already got eight or nine guys in there now. It’s good that we’re starting to get to know each other before training camp.”
As far as getting familiar with the city, Mason still has some exploring to do, saying “I don’t know much about New York other than what everyone else knows.” But Mason does know how to shoot and will certainly be a perfect piece to the Knicks’ puzzle this season as they push for the postseason.
