When I began to do my backgound research on Moses Malone, I was completely blown away by stats and numbers. So far, he far excels any other player I've given homage to. So, I've been saying to myself; where do I begin? I need to start somewhere, so here we go. As a side-note, this post is by way of a special request from Nostradomus.
Moses Eugene Malone was born on March 23, 1955 in Petersburg, Virginia. At the age of 19, the 215 pound, six-foot ten-inch lanky kid graduated from Petersburg High School. Moses led his school to a 50 game winning streak and two straight State Championships. With a letter of intent signed to play for the University of Maryland, he did something no other had done before. Moses went straight into the pros.
Taken in the third round of the 1974 ABA draft, Moses Malone was welcomed by the Utah Stars and averaged 18.8 points and 14.6 rebounds. This led to him earning a trip to the ABA All-Star game and a spot on the 1975 All-Rookie Team. With the Utah Stars and the rest of the ABA league comming to a close, Malone eventually ended up with his first NBA team, the Buffalo Braves in 1976. After only two games, he was traded to the Houston Rockets for two future first round picks. Note: Malone was actually picked up by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1976, but through a series of works, went to Buffalo. Also traded at this time was another player you might have heard of; Bill Walton.
Malone was greeted in Houston by a familiar face; coach Tom Nissalke who had coached his rookie season. Moses Malone made the Rockets a team to be respected and they reached the NBA Finals in 1981 only to lose to none other than the Boston Celtics. In the summer of 1982, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
A great cast of players surrounded Malone. These included Julius Erving, Maurice Cheeks, and Bobby Jones. Here Moses Malone won his only NBA Championship. Before the Playoffs began, he made a now-famous prediction, "Fo' fo' fo' as in four, four, four." This was to mean that the 76ers would win the minimum 12 games to sweep. having dropped one to the Milwaulkee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, the 12-1 run finished with the dominance of the LA Lakers.
After one season with up and coming great Charles Barkley, Malone went to the Washington Bullets as part of a trade that included himself and Terry Catledge with two first round picks for Jeff Rutland and Cliff Robertson. In Washington, Malone stepped up with an average of 24.1 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. The Bullets made it to the first round of the Playoffs, but were swept by the Pistons.
Moses Malone's incredible career saw a lot of movement from team to team. With stays in Milwaukee, back to Philadelphia, Atlanta and finally with the Spurs of San Antonio, his stats are a testimony of a legendary player.
Personal thoughts: Moses Malone is another player on the list of All-Star greats. His dominance on the boards and ethics of hard work showed every time he stepped on the floor. So here's to you Mr. "Get that mess outta here!" You will always be "King of the Boards." And that my freinds, is The Human Side of Sports.
Just the tip of the iceburg;- Elected to Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame (2001), NBA Champion (1983), NBA Finals MVP (1983), NBA MVP (1979, 1982, 1983), All-NBA First Team (1979, 1982, 1983, 1985), All-NBA Second Team (1980, 1981, 1984, 1987), All-Defensive First Team (1983), All-Defensive Second Team (1979), 12-Time All-Star, One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996)
When I began to do my backgound research on Moses Malone, I was completely blown away by stats and numbers. So far, he far excels any other player I've given homage to. So, I've been saying to myself; where do I begin? I need to start somewhere, so here we go. As a side-note, this post is by way of a special request from Nostradomus.
Taken in the third round of the 1974 ABA draft, Moses Malone was welcomed by the Utah Stars and averaged 18.8 points and 14.6 rebounds. This led to him earning a trip to the ABA All-Star game and a spot on the 1975 All-Rookie Team. With the Utah Stars and the rest of the ABA league comming to a close, Malone eventually ended up with his first NBA team, the Buffalo Braves in 1976. After only two games, he was traded to the Houston Rockets for two future first round picks. Note: Malone was actually picked up by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1976, but through a series of works, went to Buffalo. Also traded at this time was another player you might have heard of; Bill Walton.
Philadelphia 76ers.
were swept by the Pistons.
