Jump to content

Moses Malone

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Moses Malone
Malone in 2005
Personal information
Born(1955-03-23)March 23, 1955
Petersburg, Virginia,U.S.
DiedSeptember 13, 2015(2015-09-13)(aged 60)
Norfolk, Virginia,U.S.
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight260 lb (118 kg)[1]
Career information
High schoolPetersburg(Petersburg, Virginia)
ABA draft1974:3rd round, 28th overall pick
Selected by theUtah Stars
Playing career1974–1995
PositionCenter
Number22, 13, 20, 21, 24, 2, 4, 8
Coaching career2006–2009
Career history
As player:
1974–1975Utah Stars
1975–1976Spirits of St. Louis
1976Buffalo Braves
1976–1982Houston Rockets
1982–1986Philadelphia 76ers
1986–1988Washington Bullets
1988–1991Atlanta Hawks
1991–1993Milwaukee Bucks
1993–1994Philadelphia 76ers
1994–1995San Antonio Spurs
As coach:
2006–2009Philadelphia 76ers (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
Career ABA and NBA statistics
Points29,580 (20.6 ppg)
Rebounds17,834 (12.2 rpg)
Blocks1,889 (1.3 bpg)
StatsEdit this at Wikidataat NBA.com
StatsEdit this at Wikidataat Basketball-Reference.com
Basketball Hall of Fame as player

Moses Eugene Malone Sr.(March 23, 1955 – September 13, 2015)[2]was an American professionalbasketballplayer who played in both theAmerican Basketball Association(ABA) and theNational Basketball Association(NBA) from 1974 through 1995. Acenter,he was named theNBA Most Valuable Player(MVP) three times, was a 12-timeNBA All-Starand an eight-timeAll-NBA Teamselection. Malone led thePhiladelphia 76ersto anNBA championshipin1983,winning both the league andFinals MVP.He was inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famein his first year of eligibility in 2001. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport's history,[3]Malone is also seen as one of the most underrated NBA players.[3]

Malone began his professional career out of high school after he was selected in the third round of the1974 ABA draftby theUtah Stars.He was named anABA All-Staras a rookie and played two seasons in the league untilit merged with the NBAin 1976. He landed in the NBA with theBuffalo Braves,who traded him after two games to theHouston Rockets.Malone became a five-time All-Star in six seasons with the Rockets. After leading the NBA inreboundingin 1979, he was named league MVP for the first time. He led the Rockets to theNBA Finalsin1981,and won his second MVP award in 1982. Traded to Philadelphia the following season, he repeated as MVP and led the 76ers to the 1983 championship. In his first of two stints with Philadelphia, he was an All-Star in each of his four seasons. Following another trade, Malone was an All-Star in his only two seasons with the thenWashington Bullets(today's Wizards). He signed as afree agentwith theAtlanta Hawks,earning his 12th straight and final NBA All-Star selection in his first season. In his later years, he played with theMilwaukee Bucksbefore returning to the 76ers and completing his career with theSan Antonio Spurs.

Malone was a tireless and physical player who led the NBA in rebounding six times, including a then-record five straight seasons (1981–1985). Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Boards"for his rebounding prowess,[4]he finished his career as the all-time leader in offensive rebounds after leading both the ABA and NBA in the category a combined nine times. Combining his ABA and NBA statistics, Malone ranks ninth all-time in career points (29,580) and third in total rebounds (17,834). He was named to theABA All-Time Teamalong with theNBA's 50thand75th anniversary teams.

Early life

[edit]

Malone was born inPetersburg, Virginia.He was an only child, raised primarily by his mother, Mary, who had dropped out of school after finishing thefifth grade.When Malone was two years old, Mary forced her husband to move out of their home due to his alcohol use.[5]Malone's father then moved to Texas.[6]

Malone attendedPetersburg High School,where he played basketball for the school's Crimson Wave. The team went undefeated in his final two years, winning 50 games and back-to-backVirginia state championships.[5][7][8]Malone signed aletter of intentto playcollege basketballfor theUniversity of Marylandunder head coachLefty Driesell.[9][10]

ABA career

[edit]

Utah Stars (1974–1975)

[edit]

After theUtah Starsof theAmerican Basketball Association(ABA) selected him in the third round of the1974 ABA Draft,Malone decided to become a professional,[11][12][13][14]becoming the first player in modern professional basketball to enter directly from high school.[6][11]He began his professional career with Utah in the1974–75 seasonafter signing a five-year contract worth $1 million.[13]At 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) and a somewhat skinny 215 pounds (98 kg) at the time,[6][14]Malone began his pro career playing atforwarduntil he bulked up enough to handle the rigors atcenter.[14]As a rookie, he was named anABA All-Starand earnedABA All-Rookiehonors.[14]In the1975 ABA Playoffs,Malone averaged 22.7 points, 17.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game during a first round loss to theDenver Nuggets.[15]

Spirits of St. Louis (1975–1976)

[edit]

Malone had been sidelined all of the1975–76 seasonwith a leg injury when the Stars folded 16 games into the season.[16][17]He was sold to the ABA'sSpirits of St. Louisto help pay down the Stars' debts, alongside Utah TeammatesRon Boone,Randy Denton,andSteve Green.[18]He played for the Spirits for the remainder of the 1975–76 season, and they did not make the playoffs and finished with a 35–49 record.[19][4][20]In two seasons in the ABA, Malone averaged 17.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game.[21]

NBA career

[edit]

Buffalo Braves (1976)

[edit]

TheABA–NBA mergeroccurred after the 1975–76 season, but the Spirits of St. Louis were not among the ABA teams chosen to join the NBA.[22]Malone had already been selected by the NBA'sNew Orleans Jazzin a December 1975 pre-merger draft for ABA players of undergraduate age. However, the NBA let them place Malone into the1976 ABA Dispersal Draftpool in exchange for the return of their first-round draft pick in 1977, which they used to trade forGail Goodrich.[23]In the 1976 dispersal draft, held for the remaining ABA players, Malone was selected by thePortland Trail Blazerswith the fifth overall pick.[5]

The Blazers, who had also acquired power forwardMaurice Lucasin the draft,[24]chose Malone for trading purposes.[25]With a frontline of Lucas,Bill WaltonandLloyd Neal,Portland figured Malone would see little action.[26]They traded him to theBuffalo Bravesprior to the first game of the 1976–77 season for a first-round draft choice in the1978 NBA draftand $232,000.[27]Malone played in two games with Buffalo. Because they could not meet Malone's demands for playing time, they then traded him to theHouston Rocketsin exchange for first-round draft picks in the1977and 1978 drafts.[28]

Houston Rockets (1976–1982)

[edit]

1976–77 season

[edit]

With theHouston Rockets,Malone played forward oppositeRudy Tomjanovich.[5]He appeared in 82 games overall for both Buffalo and Houston and finished the season averaging 13.2 points per game (ppg) with 13.1 rebounds per game (rpg), ranking third in rpg. Malone set a then-NBA record with 437 offensive rebounds in a season, going on to surpass the mark two years later.[29]Malone also blocked 2.21 shots per game, the seventh-most in the league.[30]In the second game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against theWashington Bullets,Malone recorded 15 offensive rebounds in the overtime win, setting anNBA playoffrecord.[31]The Rockets reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost 4–2 to thePhiladelphia 76ers,his future team.[32]

1977–78 season: First All-Star selection

[edit]

During his second season in the NBA, Malone was diagnosed with astress fracturein his right foot, which caused him to miss the final 23 games.[33]Despite the time missed to injury, Malone led the NBA with 380 total offensive rebounds and finished second with 15.0 rpg. His scoring improved to 19.4 ppg,[14]and he made his first appearance in anNBA All-Star Gamein1978.[4]

1978–79 season: First MVP award

[edit]

During the 1978–79 season, Malone emerged as one of the top centers in the league after gaining 15 pounds (6.8 kg) in the offseason.[5][14]He averaged 24.8 points with a career-best.540 shooting percentage and established another career high with a league-leading 17.6 rpg while winning theNBA Most Valuable Player Award.[14][34]He again led the league in offensive rebounds, setting an all-time single-season record with 587 offensive rebounds.[35]He was voted to theAll-NBA First Team[36]and the All-Defensive Second Team.[37]He was also voted by fans to start for the East at center in the1979 NBA All-Star Game.On February 9, he grabbed a career-high 37 rebounds versus theNew Orleans Jazz.[38]Although the Rockets qualified for the playoffs, they were eliminated by theAtlanta Hawksin a first-round sweep. Malone averaged 24.5 points and 20.5 rebounds in the two games.[14]

1979–80 season

[edit]

In 1979–80, Malone averaged 25.8 points, fifth-best in the NBA, and 14.5 rebounds, second-best in the league. He was named an All-Star for a third straight season and was also named to theAll-NBA Second Team.[36]In the opening round of the playoffs, Houston defeated theSan Antonio Spursin a best-of-three series. Malone registered 37 points and 20 rebounds in the deciding third game, leading the Rockets to a 141–120 victory. In the conference semifinals, the Rockets lost in a sweep to theBoston Celtics.[39]

1980–81 season: First NBA Finals appearance

[edit]

In the 1980–81 season, Malone led the league with 14.8 rpg in 80 games and was again an All-Star as well as a member of the All-NBA Second Team.[36]He finished second in scoring (28.8) toAdrian Dantley(30.7).[40]On March 11, Malone scored 51 points against theGolden State Warriors.[41]That postseason, Malone advanced the Rockets to the1981 NBA Finals,by scoring 36 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a decisive Game 5 Western Conference Finals win over theKansas City Kings.[42][43]In the finals, despite Malone averaging 22.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks a game, he and the Rockets lost in six games to theBoston Celtics.[44]

1981–82 season: Second MVP award

[edit]

In their first season in theMidwest Division,Houston and theKansas City Kingstied for second place with identical 40–42 records. During the1981-82 NBA season,Malone averaged 31.1 points with 14.7 rebounds and won his second MVP award.[45]He repeated as the NBA leader in rebounds and was the runner-up for the league's scoring title toGeorge Gervin(32.3). He was also the league leader in offensive rebounds (558) and minutes played (3,398, 42.0 per game). At the end of the season Malone earned his second placement on the All-NBA First Team.[36]He set a career-high in scoring average and also set a single-game career-high with 53 points on February 2 against theSan Diego Clippers.Nine days later, on February 11 against theSeattle SuperSonics,Malone eclipsed his own league record with 21 offensive rebounds.[31]In Malone's last season in Houston the Rockets followed their NBA Finals appearance in 1981[46]with a first-round exit in the 1982 playoffs. Though he averaged 24.0 points with 17.0 rebounds, Seattle defeated Houston 2–1.[47]

Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986)

[edit]

1982–83 season: Championship season and Finals MVP

[edit]

Malone became arestricted free agentafter the 1981–82 season. He signed anoffer sheetof six-years for $13.2 million with thePhiladelphia 76erson September 2, 1982. The 76ers were coming off a 4–2 loss in the Finals to theLos Angeles Lakers,whose center,Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,outplayed their big-man duo ofDarryl DawkinsandCaldwell Jones.The Rockets franchise was sold, and the new owners decided that Malone's $2 million annual salary did not fit their plans.[48]Houston matched the offer and agreed to trade Malone to the 76ers for Jones and their first-round pick in the1983 NBA drafton September 15.[49]WithJulius Erving,Maurice Cheeks,Andrew Toney,andBobby Jones,the Sixers ran away from the league en route to the NBA championship. Malone was named the league MVP for the second straight year, becoming the only NBA player ever to win the award in consecutive seasons with two different teams, a feat matched only byBarry Bonds(1992–1993) in thefour major American sports leagues.[50]

That year, Malone averaged 15.3 rebounds per game, which led the league for the third consecutive year, and also averaged 24.5 points, which was fifth-best in the NBA. He was an All-Star for the sixth consecutive season and earned first-team honors on both the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams.[36][37]The 76ers lost only one game in the postseason as they won the league championship, defeating the Lakers in a 4–0 sweep in the1983 NBA Finals.[4]In 13 playoff games, Malone averaged 26.0 points with 15.8 rebounds. He was named theFinals MVP,having outrebounded Abdul-Jabbar 72–30 in the series.[51]It was also around this time that Malone began to tutorHakeem Olajuwon,passing on the torch to the future Rockets superstar.[52]

His head coachBilly Cunninghamsaid, "Let's not make believe. The difference from last year was Moses."[51]Before theplayoffsbegan, Malone predicted inSouthern vernacularthat Philadelphia would go "fo, fo, fo", envisioning a four-game sweep in each of the playoffs' three rounds, playing the minimum 12 games.[6]His prediction (and its formulation) became famous:The New York Timescalled it "an enduring quotation" and "an unforgettable line,"[53]andComcast SportsNetcalled it "one of the greatest rallying cries ever uttered."[54]As it transpired, the Sixers only lost one playoff game (Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals to theMilwaukee Bucks) en route to making Malone a world champion for the first time, sweeping theKnicksin the first round and the Lakers in the finals. This led to the inside of that year'schampionship ringbeing inscribed "fo' fi' fo (four, five, four)."[55]The 76ers' 12–1 cruise through the 1983 playoffs was, at the time, the most dominant playoff run in NBA history.[31]

1983–84 season

[edit]

In the 1983–84 season Malone led the league in rebounding with 13.4 rpg. He was limited to 71 games that season due to ankle injuries, his lowest since the 1977–78 season. Malone scored 22.7 ppg in his second season with Philadelphia and was named to the All-NBA Second Team.[36]Malone was selected again for the All-Star Game but he was unable to play because of an ankle injury. During the season he averaged 21.4 points with 13.8 rebounds in five games in the playoffs, but Philadelphia lost in a first-round upset against theNew Jersey Nets.[14]

1984–85 season

[edit]

The Sixers selectedCharles Barkleyin the1984 NBA draft.When he reported to training camp at 300 pounds (140 kg), Malone began to mentor him, encouraging him to get in better shape. Barkley got down to 255 pounds (116 kg) and made theNBA All-Rookie Team.[56]In the 1984–85 season, Malone recorded 13.1 rpg, leading the NBA in rebounding for a record-setting fifth straight season (since surpassed byDennis Rodmanwith seven consecutive seasons).[35]He was voted by a fan ballot to the All-Star team for the eighth time and finished the season with 24.6 ppg, which ranked ninth-best in the league. He received his fourth All-NBA First Team honor[36]and finished third in the NBA Most Valuable Player Award balloting; the award was won byLarry Bird.Malone scored his 15,000th NBA point on November 28,[57]and grabbed his 10,000th NBA rebound on March 29.[58]He scored 51 points against theDetroit Pistonson November 14. The 76ers reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 1985 but were defeated 4–1 by the Celtics.[59]

1985–86 season

[edit]

Malone's 1985–86 season ended when he suffered anorbital fracturein his right eye in a March 28 game against the Bucks. Despite hopes that he might return during the playoffs, he was ruled out for the postseason.[60]In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Philadelphia lost 4–3 to the Bucks.[61]Malone averaged 23.8 points with 11.8 rebounds in 74 appearances that season.[62]He ranked seventh in the league in scoring and fourth in rebounding, ending his five-season streak as the NBA rebounding champion.[63]Malone was named an All-Star, but he was not named to the All-NBA Team, the first time he was not selected since 1978.[36]

Washington Bullets (1986–1988)

[edit]

Shortly after the 1985–86 season, Philadelphia traded Malone,Terry Catledge,and two first-round draft picks to theWashington Bulletsin exchange forJeff RulandandClifford T. Robinson.[64]Malone bounced back from an injury-shortened 1985–86 campaign, averaging 24.1 points with 11.3 rebounds. He was named to his 10th consecutive All-Star Game and again was named to the All-NBA Second Team.[36]Malone was the only player to finish in the top 10 in both ppg and rpg; he placed ninth in both categories.[65]

Malone scored his 20,000th NBA point on April 12 against the Detroit Pistons.[66]He scored 50 points versus the New Jersey Nets on April 8,[67]joiningEarl Monroe(56) andPhil Chenier(52) as the only Bullets players ever to score 50 points in a game. Washington appeared in the postseason but was swept by the Pistons in the first round. Malone averaged 20.7 points and 12.7 rebounds in the series.[68]

In his 12th NBA season, Malone ranked eighth in the NBA in rebounding (11.2) and 19th in scoring (20.3). Malone was named to his 11th consecutive All-Star Game in1988.Malone scored in double figures in 76 of 79 games and recorded 55double-doublesfor the year. The Bullets reached the1988 NBA Playoffs,but lost to Detroit 3–2 in their first-round series. Malone averaged 18.6 points with 11.2 rebounds in the series.[4]

Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991)

[edit]

1988–89 season: Final All-Star selection

[edit]

Before the 1988–89 season, Malone agreed to a three-year deal to play with theAtlanta Hawks.The Hawks, featuringDominique Wilkins,had won at least 50 games in the prior three seasons, and believed the free-agent center was a missing piece to a potential championship team.[69]During the season, Malone averaged 20.2 points with 11.8 rebounds, becoming the first and only player in professional history to average 20 points and 10 rebounds for four different teams. He was voted by a fan ballot to the1989 NBA All-Star Game,which was his 12th straight and final appearance. Malone reached double figures in points in 75 of his 81 games and recorded double figures in rebounds 55 times. On February 4, 1989, he scored a season-high 37 points against thePhoenix Suns.The Hawks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Milwaukee. In the series, Malone scored 21.0 ppg and had 12.0 rpg.[70]

1989–90 season

[edit]

The following season, Malone finished with 18.9 ppg and 10.0 rpg, ending a string of 11 consecutive 20–10 campaigns. Malone led the NBA with 364 offensive rebounds and tied for eighth in rpg. InMike Fratello's final year as head coach, Atlanta finished with a 41–41 record, failing to qualify for the playoffs. Malone began the 1990–91 season as the Hawks' starting center, but after 15 games, Atlanta's new coach,Bob Weiss,madeJon Koncakthe starter and Malone his backup for the final 67 contests.[71]

1990–91 season

[edit]

Coming off the bench for the first time in his career, Malone averaged 10.6 points with 8.1 rebounds in 23.3minutes per gamewhile starting just 18 of 82 games played during the 1990–91 season—all career lows at that point. On November 3, against theIndiana Pacers,Malone became the NBA career leader infree throwsmade with 7,695, besting the previous record set byOscar Robertson.On November 21, against the Bucks, Malone scored his 25,000th career point.[72]On March 15, he recorded his 15,000th career rebound against theDallas Mavericks.[73]Malone surpassedWilt Chamberlain's mark of consecutive games without fouling out with his 1,046th straight game against the Detroit Pistons on April 19.[74]The Hawks returned to the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by Detroit, 3–2. In the series, Malone averaged just 4.2 points with 6.2 rebounds.[75]

Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993)

[edit]

A free agent after the 1990–91 season, Malone signed a two-year contract with theMilwaukee Bucks.Malone was reported to earn $1.6 million in the first season and $2 million for the second season. Malone once again started at center during the 1991–92 season,[76]averaging 15.6 points with 9.1 rebounds while playing in all 82 games. He led the Bucks in rebounding and finished second on the team in scoring. He scored a season-high 30 points twice and grabbed 19 rebounds against the Seattle SuperSonics on March 27. Milwaukee finished with a 31–51 record, tied for last place of theCentral Divisionwith theCharlotte Hornets.[77]

After one practice in training camp in October 1992, Malone was sidelined due to aherniated discin his back.[78]After trying to play through the pain, he decided to have surgery in November.[79]Recovery from the surgery caused Malone to miss the majority of the 1992–93 season.[80]He returned to the Bucks on March 27, appearing in 11 games during the remainder of the season.[81]Struggling with the younger players on their roster, the Bucks finished 28–54 and last in the Central Division.[82]

Return to Philadelphia (1993–1994)

[edit]

ThePhiladelphia 76erssigned Malone as a free agent in August, so that he could serve as a backup and mentor to 7-foot-6-inch (2.29 m) rookieShawn Bradley.[83][84]Malone appeared in 55 games as a reserve for the 76ers, averaging 5.3 points with 4.1 rebounds.[85]

San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995)

[edit]

In 1994, Malone signed with theSan Antonio Spurs,where he was used as a back-up center toDavid Robinson.[4][86]The1994–95 NBA seasonwas his last in the NBA, and at that time, he was the only remaining active former ABA player. During the final game of his NBA career, against theCharlotte Hornets,he hit a buzzer-beating three-point shot from the opposing free throw line, 74 feet (23 m) away from the basket. He played 17 games for the Spurs.[87]

Player profile

[edit]

Malone stood 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) and weighed 260 pounds (120 kg).[1]Described as "relentless" and "a force on the boards like no other,"[1]he pounded his opponents into submission[88]with ferocious effort and physical play.[6]Nicknamed "Chairman of the Boards" for his rebounding prowess,[4]he was notable for rebounding and scoring off his own misses, possessing the strength, quickness, and zeal to recover the ball before his opponents.[51][89][90]This led to some contending he intentionally missed shots to pad his rebounding statistics.[1][91][92][93]He was not a very good passer.[88][94]WhenCarroll Dawson,anassistant coachwith the Rockets, suggested that Malone needed to improve his passing, he replied, "They ain't paying me to pass."[45]

He finished his career with the most combined ABA and NBA offensive rebounds (7,382), 35 percent over runner-upArtis Gilmore.Nine times he led his respective league in offensive rebounds, and five other times he finished in the top three.[51]He also holds NBA records for the most offensive rebounds in a career (6,731), season (587), and game (21).[4]Malone was a 13-time All-Star, and earned eight All-NBA selections, ranking ninth all-time with 29,580 points, and third with 17,834 rebounds.[2][51]He is one of three players to exceed 28,000 points and 17,000 rebounds.[a]He also ranks second all-time in free throws made (9,018) and attempted (11,864). Malone is one of just eight players who have been named NBA MVP three or more times.[51]He led the league in rebounds six times, including five straight from 1980 through 1985.[4]He was inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famein his first year of eligibility in 2001.[51]The Rocketsretiredhis No. 24 jersey in 1998,[95]and the 76ers retired his No. 2 on February 8, 2019.[96]In addition to retiring Malone's jersey number, the 76ers also unveiled a statue in front of the team's training facility inCamden, New Jersey.[97]In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th AnniversaryThe Athleticranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Malone as the 18th greatest player in NBA history.[98]

Awards and honors

[edit]

Personal life

[edit]

Malone and his wife, Alfreda Gill, had two sons, Moses Eugene Jr. and Michael Malone.[99]Alfreda sued for divorce in September 1991, on the grounds of irreconcilable differences, cruelty, and adultery. She got arestraining orderin June 1992, ordering Malone to refrain from contact with her during the course of the lawsuit. At that time, Malone denied allegations that he abused his wife or threatened to kill her.[100][101]The divorce was granted in October 1992.[102]

In January 1993, Malone was arrested driving inGalveston, Texas,across Galveston Bay from his former wife's home, for having violated a peace bond Alfreda had obtained. Her affidavit for its issuance alleged that Malone had stalked her, illegally entered her home inLeague City, Texas,damaged her property and threatened to kill her. Malone posted bail and was released.[103]

Malone dated Leah Nash, whom he had met in 2006, though they did not marry nor live together. They had a son, Micah Francois Malone, who was six years old at the time of Malone's death.[99]

Death

[edit]

Malone died in his sleep fromheart diseaseat the age of 60, on the morning of September 13, 2015, at a hotel inNorfolk, Virginia.He had been scheduled to play in a charity golf tournament that day and was found unresponsive in his room when he did not appear for breakfast or answer his phone. Malone had previously complained of an irregular heartbeat and was reported to have been wearing a heart monitor when he died.[99]

NBA/ABA career statistics

[edit]
Legend
GP Games played GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
FG% Field goalpercentage 3P% 3-point field goalpercentage FT% Free throwpercentage
RPG Reboundsper game APG Assistsper game SPG Stealsper game
BPG Blocksper game PPG Points per game Bold Career high
† Won anNBA championship * Led the league

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1974–75 Utah (ABA) 83 — 38.6 .571 .000 .635 14.6 1.0 1.0 1.5 18.8
1975–76 St. Louis (ABA) 43 — 27.2 .512 .000 .612 9.6 1.3 .6 .7 14.3
1976–77 Buffalo 2 — 3.0 — — — .5 .0 .0 .0 .0
1976–77 Houston 80 — 31.3 .480 — .693 13.4 1.1 .8 2.3 13.5
1977–78 Houston 59 — 35.7 .499 — .718 15.0 .5 .8 1.3 19.4
1978–79 Houston 82* — 41.3* .540 — .739 17.6* 1.8 1.0 1.5 24.8
1979–80 Houston 82* — 38.3 .502 .000 .719 14.5 1.8 1.0 1.3 25.8
1980–81 Houston 80 — 40.6 .522 .333 .757 14.8* 1.8 1.0 1.9 27.8
1981–82 Houston 81 81 42.0* .519 .000 .762 14.7* 1.8 .9 1.5 31.1
1982–83† Philadelphia 78 78 37.5 .501 .000 .761 15.3* 1.3 1.1 2.0 24.5
1983–84 Philadelphia 71 71 36.8 .483 .000 .750 13.4* 1.4 1.0 1.5 22.7
1984–85 Philadelphia 79 79 37.4 .469 .000 .815 13.1* 1.6 .8 1.6 24.6
1985–86 Philadelphia 74 74 36.6 .458 .000 .787 11.8 1.2 .9 1.0 23.8
1986–87 Washington 73 70 34.1 .454 .000 .824 11.3 1.6 .8 1.3 24.1
1987–88 Washington 79 78 34.1 .487 .286 .788 11.2 1.4 .7 .9 20.3
1988–89 Atlanta 81 80 35.5 .491 .000 .789 11.8 1.4 1.0 1.2 20.2
1989–90 Atlanta 81 81 33.8 .480 .111 .781 10.0 1.6 .6 1.0 18.9
1990–91 Atlanta 82* 15 23.3 .468 .000 .831 8.1 .8 .4 .9 10.6
1991–92 Milwaukee 82 77 30.6 .474 .375 .786 9.1 1.1 .9 .8 15.6
1992–93 Milwaukee 11 0 9.5 .310 — .774 4.2 .6 .1 .7 4.5
1993–94 Philadelphia 55 0 11.2 .440 .000 .769 4.1 .6 .2 .3 5.3
1994–95 San Antonio 17 0 8.8 .371 .500 .688 2.7 .4 .1 .2 2.9
Career 1,455 784 34.0 .495 .096 .760 12.3 1.3 .8 1.3 20.3
All-Star 12 8 24.3 .455 — .583 9.8 1.3 .8 .6 11.2

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1975 Utah (ABA) 6 — 39.2 .638 — .667 17.5 1.5 .0 1.5 22.7
1977 Houston 12 — 43.2 .500 — .692 16.9 .6 1.1 1.8 18.8
1979 Houston 2 — 39.0 .528 — .722 20.5 1.0 .5 4.0 24.5
1980 Houston 7 — 39.3 .536 .000 .767 13.9 1.0 .6 2.3 25.9
1981 Houston 21 — 45.5 .479 .000 .712 14.5 1.7 .6 1.6 26.8
1982 Houston 3 — 45.3 .433 — .933 17.0 3.3 .7 .7 24.0
1983† Philadelphia 13 — 40.3 .536 .000 .717 15.8 1.5 1.5 1.9 26.0
1984 Philadelphia 5 — 42.4 .458 — .969 13.8 1.4 .6 2.2 21.4
1985 Philadelphia 13 13 38.8 .425 .000 .796 10.6 1.8 1.3 1.7 20.2
1987 Washington 3 3 38.0 .447 — .952 12.7 1.7 .0 1.0 20.7
1988 Washington 5 5 39.6 .462 .000 .825 11.2 1.4 .6 .8 18.6
1989 Atlanta 5 5 39.4 .500 1.000 .784 12.0 1.8 1.4 .8 21.0
1991 Atlanta 5 0 16.8 .200 — .929 6.2 .6 .4 .2 4.2
Career 100 26 40.3 .487 .143 .756 14.0 1.5 .8 1.6 22.1

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^Along withWilt ChamberlainandKareem Abdul-Jabbar[95]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdLyon, Bill (September 14, 2015)."Bill Lyon: Moses Malone a force like no other on the boards".The Philadelphia Inquirer.Archivedfrom the original on December 19, 2015.At 6-foot-10 and 260 he was hardly small, but more forward than center, and there were plenty of centers taller than he, and yet he dominated in the paint.
  2. ^ab"Moses Malone Stats".Basketball Reference.RetrievedDecember 25,2023.
  3. ^ab"Adande: Moses Malone was NBA's most underappreciated great".ESPN.com.September 13, 2015.RetrievedOctober 18,2021.
  4. ^abcdefghij"Three-time NBA MVP Moses Malone dies at age 60".ESPN. September 13, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  5. ^abcdeDeford, Frank(February 19, 1979)."Bounding Into Prominence Moses Malone jumped from high school to the pros, where he has become the game's top rebounder".Sports Illustrated.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  6. ^abcdeGoldstein, Richard (September 13, 2015)."Moses Malone, 76ers' 'Chairman of the Boards,' Dies at 60".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on June 15, 2022.
  7. ^"Menacing Moses".Free Lance-Star.(Fredericksburg, Virginia). AP photo. March 9, 1974. p. 6.RetrievedMay 7,2018.
  8. ^Johnson, Marshall (March 11, 1974)."Petersburg stops fatty-footing to win".Free Lance-Star.(Fredericksburg, Virginia). Associated Press. p. 7.RetrievedMay 7,2018.
  9. ^"Maryland wins bidding war for Moses Malone".Sarasota Herald-Tribune.Sarasota, Florida. Associated Press. June 21, 1974. p. 4C.RetrievedMay 7,2018.
  10. ^"Mose Malone will drive luxury car to Maryland".The Day.(New London, Connecticut). Associated Press. June 21, 1974. p. 20.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News archive.
  11. ^abPattison, Dan (August 29, 1974)."Moses ends drama, signs with Stars".Deseret News.(Salt Lake City, Utah). p. B7.
  12. ^"Malone makes decision – it's Utah".Free Lance-Star.(Fredericksburg, Virginia). Associated Press. August 29, 1974. p. 8.
  13. ^ab"Moses Malone: from scared prep player to a confident pro".Lakeland Ledger.(Florida). United Feature Syndicate. March 30, 1975. p. 10C.
  14. ^abcdefghi"NBA History: Moses Malone Bio".National Basketball Association. Archived fromthe originalon November 30, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  15. ^"1975 ABA Western Division Semifinals".Basketball Reference.
  16. ^"Utah peddles players, then ABA club folds".Spokesman-Review.(Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. 20.
  17. ^Pattison, Dan (December 3, 1975)."Stars perish in sea of red ink".Deseret News.(Salt Lake City, Utah). p. D1.
  18. ^Montgomery, Paul L. (December 3, 1975)."Spirits Get Stars Of Stars".The New York Times.
  19. ^"1975-76 Spirits of St. Louis Roster and Stats".Basketball Reference.
  20. ^"ABA folds Utah Stars; Spirits buy four stars".Bangor Daily News.December 3, 1975.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News archive.
  21. ^abTurner, Broderick (September 13, 2015)."NBA Hall of Famer Moses Malone dies".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  22. ^Jonathan Abrams (July 31, 2006)."The TV Deal the NBA Wishes It Had Not Made".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  23. ^Bill Simmons (2009).The Book of Basketball.ESPN Books. pp. 196–197.ISBN9780345511768.RetrievedMay 22,2022– via Internet Archive.
  24. ^Doney, Ken (August 6, 1976)."Tral Blazers deal Petrie, Hawes to Atlanta five".The Oregon Statesman.Associated Press. p. 1D.RetrievedApril 9,2022– viaNewspapers.com.
  25. ^Greenburg, Alan (March 28, 1982)."In Moses Malone, the NBA Has Met The Irresistable Force".Los Angeles Times.Part III, p. 3.RetrievedApril 9,2022– viaNewspapers.com.
  26. ^"Malone off to Braves for cash, draft pick".The Oregon Statesman.October 20, 1976. p. D1.RetrievedApril 9,2022– viaNewspapers.com.
  27. ^(via Google News archive):"Moses Malone Traded to Buffalo".Daytona Beach Morning Journal.October 20, 1976.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  28. ^(via Google News archive):"His 5th trade Malone travels".The Morning Record.October 26, 1976.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  29. ^"NBA & ABA Single Season Leaders and Records for Offensive Rebounds".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  30. ^"1976–77 NBA Leaders".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  31. ^abcMorales, Valerie (September 13, 2015)."Moses Malone, the Best Offensive Rebounder in NBA History".the Committed Generation.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  32. ^"1977 NBA Eastern Conference Finals".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  33. ^(via Google News archive):"Malone plays young".The Milwaukee Sentinel.October 12, 1991.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.[permanent dead link]
  34. ^(via Google News archive):"Malone Named most Valuable Player".Ludington Daily News.May 22, 1979.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  35. ^abcdef"Moses Malone, basketball player who excelled at the offensive rebound, dies at 60".The Washington Post.Associated Press. September 13, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  36. ^abcdefghi"NBA & ABA All-League Teams".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  37. ^ab"NBA & ABA All-Defensive Teams".Basketball-Reference.com. Archived fromthe originalon January 1, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  38. ^(via Google News archive):"'Rookie' Malone Grabe 37Rebounds ".The Dispatch.February 10, 1979.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  39. ^"1980 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  40. ^"1980–81 NBA Leaders".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  41. ^(via Google News archive):"Malone'a 51points fuel Rockets' romp".The Milwaukee Sentinel.March 12, 1981.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  42. ^"A ROUNDUP OF THE WEEK APRIL 20-26, 1981".Sports Illustrated - Vault.
  43. ^"1981 NBA Western Conference Finals Game 5: Houston Rockets at Kansas City Kings".Basketball Reference.
  44. ^"1981 NBA Finals Rockets vs. Celtics".Basketball Reference.
  45. ^abAdande, J.A. (September 13, 2015)."Moses Malone was NBA's most underappreciated great player".ESPN.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  46. ^"1981 NBA Finals".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  47. ^"1982 NBA Western Conference First Round".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  48. ^Penner, Mark (March 8, 2013)."The Sixers trade for Moses Malone".Philadelphia Daily News.Archivedfrom the original on September 10, 2015.
  49. ^"Mose Malone Traded".Observer-Reporter.September 16, 1982.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  50. ^"Moses Malone, R.I.P."The American Spectator.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  51. ^abcdefgAschburner, Steve (September 13, 2015)."Moses Malone, dead at 60, was an NBA elite".National Basketball Association.Archivedfrom the original on September 15, 2015.
  52. ^Blount, Terry (May 22, 1994)."Hakeem: For the record/" Kunta Kinte' image was way off ".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  53. ^Araton, Harvey (September 16, 2015)."Moses Malone Was Easy to Overlook but Undeniably Great".The New York Times.RetrievedSeptember 18,2015.
  54. ^Jones, Gordie (September 14, 2015)."Moses Malone: The ultimate hard hat and 1980s NBA icon".csnphilly.com.RetrievedSeptember 18,2015.
  55. ^"The Ring's The Thing: Dr. J".National Basketball Association.RetrievedSeptember 23,2013.
  56. ^McMullen, Jackie (September 13, 2015)."How Moses Malone mentored a young Charles Barkley".ESPN.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  57. ^"Sixersbreeze past Pacer".The Lewiston Daily Sun.November 27, 1984.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  58. ^"Celtices hold off Sixer rally".Ellensburg Daily Record.March 30, 1985.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  59. ^"1985 NBA Eastern Conference Finals".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  60. ^"Sixers' Malone ruled out of playoff".The Gainesville Sun.April 26, 1986.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  61. ^"1986 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  62. ^"1985–86 Philadelphia 76ers".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  63. ^"1985–86 NBA Leaders".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  64. ^"Philadelphia trades Malone, first draft choice".The Telegraph.Associated Press. June 17, 1986. p. 13.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  65. ^"1986–87 NBA Leaders".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  66. ^"Malone nets 20,000th; Bullets win".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Associated Press. April 13, 1987. p. 30.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  67. ^"Malone's 50 points are a pain to Nets".The Milwaukee Journal.Associated Press. April 9, 1987. p. 7C.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  68. ^"1987 NBA Eastern Conference First Round".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  69. ^Saladino, Tom (August 17, 1988)."Holy Moses! Malone signs 3-year contract with Atlanta".Ocala Star-Banner.Associated Press. p. 1C.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  70. ^"1989 NBA Eastern Conference First Round".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  71. ^"Pro Roundup".The Telegraph.Associated Press. December 18, 1990. p. 13.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  72. ^"Moses quietly keeps playing".Rome News-Tribune.Associated Press. January 18, 1991. p. 1B.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  73. ^"On This Date".The Daily Courier.March 15, 1996. p. 15A.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  74. ^"Blazers crown Kings for 16th straight victory".Eugene Register-Guard.Associated Press. April 20, 1991. p. 3C.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  75. ^"1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  76. ^"Milwaukee's bucks lure Moses Malone".The Tuscaloosa News.Associated Press. July 11, 1991. p. 4C.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  77. ^"1991–92 NBA Season Summary".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  78. ^"Malone has herniated disc".The Daily Gazette.October 15, 1992. p. C3.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  79. ^"Moses Malone out indefinitely".Moscow-Pullman Daily News.Associated Press. November 5, 1992. p. 5D.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  80. ^"Malone sidelined by back surgery".The Free Lance-Star.Associated Press. November 7, 1992. p. C8.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  81. ^"Malone returning to Sixers".Reading Eagle.August 12, 1993. p. D5.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  82. ^"1992–93 NBA Season Summary".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  83. ^"Moses Malone returns to Philadelphia".The Times-News.Associated Press. August 13, 1993. p. 2B.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  84. ^"Sixers' Bradley gets top tutoring from old pros".Moscow-Pullman Daily News.Associated Press. August 17, 1993. p. 3B.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  85. ^"1993–94 Philadelphia 76ers".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  86. ^"Moses Malone signs deal to play for Spurs".Herald-Journal.August 26, 1994. p. B2.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015– via Google News Archive Search.
  87. ^"NBA legend, former Spur Moses Malone dies at 60".Spurs Nation.Archived fromthe originalon September 15, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  88. ^abCotton, Anthony (December 10, 1986)."Moses Malone Likes to Pound Opponents Into Submission".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on May 27, 2024.
  89. ^Helin, Kurt (September 13, 2015)."Hall of Famer Moses Malone dies at age 60".NBCSports.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 14, 2015.
  90. ^Rafferty, Scott (August 31, 2015)."Andre Drummond channeling Moses Malone is scary for NBA centers".Sporting News.Archivedfrom the original on September 5, 2015.
  91. ^Jones, Gracie (September 14, 2015)."Moses Malone: The ultimate hard hat and 1980s NBA icon".CSNPhilly.com. Archived fromthe originalon September 15, 2015.
  92. ^"The unwritten rules of sports – in writing".Seattle Post-Intelligencer.January 11, 2005.
  93. ^Watts, Slick; Hughes, Frank (2005).Slick Watts's Tales from the Seattle SuperSonics.Sports Publishing. p. 123.ISBN978-1-58261-904-0.RetrievedSeptember 15,2015.
  94. ^Simmons, Bill (2009).The Book of Basketball.ESPN Books. p.544.ISBN978-0-345-51176-8.
  95. ^abFeigen, Jonathan (September 13, 2015)."Rockets legend Moses Malone dies, called 'the greatest human being you'd ever want to meet'".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedJanuary 22,2019.
  96. ^abBogage, Jacob (February 8, 2019)."The 76ers retired Moses Malone's jersey with each of his teammates' names stitched onto the banner".Washington Post.RetrievedFebruary 9,2019.
  97. ^"76ers unveil Moses Malone statue, will retire No. 2 jersey".NBA.com.February 8, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 9,2019.
  98. ^Aldridge, David."NBA 75: At No. 18, Moses Malone was 'absolutely relentless' and let his prodigious game do the talking".
  99. ^abcKolenich, Eric (September 14, 2015)."Moses Malone saw doctor, got heart monitor a week before death".Richmond Times-Dispatch.BH Media Group Holdings, Inc.RetrievedSeptember 23,2015.
  100. ^"Restraining order targets Malone".Gadsden Times.June 4, 1992. p. D3.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  101. ^"Judge puts restrictions on Malone".Lawrence Journal-World.June 4, 1992. p. 2D.RetrievedSeptember 16,2015.
  102. ^"Moses Malone Divorce Case Settled".Chicago Tribune.October 11, 1992.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  103. ^"Malone arrested on complaint from his ex-wife".The Milwaukee Journal.January 30, 1993. p. A 12.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Heisler, Mark (2003).Giants: The 25 Greatest Centers of All Time.Chicago: Triumph Books.ISBN1-57243-577-1.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toMoses Malone.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Moses_Malone&oldid=1246388035"