Moses Malone

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Lore & Background

Malone's arrival in Philadelphia marked a turning point for the franchise. After winning his second MVP award with Houston, he was traded to the 76ers in September 1982 for the upcoming season. He won his third MVP award during the 1982–83 season and guided the team to the 1983 NBA championship. His performance in the finals secured him the Finals MVP award, cementing his legacy as a dominant force. The source notes that Malone is widely regarded as one of the greatest centers and players of all time. During this period, he was an All-Star for each of his four seasons with the team in that first stint.

In Their Own Story

The 1983 championship run defined Malone's tenure in Philadelphia. Following a trade from Houston where he had just secured his second MVP award, Malone stepped into the 76ers' lineup and immediately claimed the league MVP title again. He led the franchise to their NBA championship that year, a feat accompanied by the Finals MVP honor. This success capped off a dominant era for the center who had previously made history as an ABA All-Star rookie straight out of high school. His time in Philadelphia was marked by consistent excellence; he was selected as an All-Star in every one of his four seasons during this first stint, proving that his physical play and rebounding prowess remained unmatched.

Reader's Guide

To understand Moses Malone's impact with the 76ers, focus on his role as a center who led the league in rebounding six times. His nickname, "Chairman of the Boards," reflects his dominance in securing offensive rebounds, finishing his career as the all-time leader in that category. In Philadelphia, he won the NBA championship in 1983, earning both league MVP and Finals MVP awards. His style was tireless and physical. He became a five-time All-Star with Houston before bringing that star power to Philadelphia, where he was an All-Star for four consecutive seasons. This period solidified his status as a Hall of Famer, inducted in 2001 on his first year of eligibility.

Did You Know?

• Malone was one of the first players in modern professional basketball to enter directly from high school.
• He led the NBA in rebounding six times, including a then-record five straight seasons from 1980–81 through 1984–85.
• In his rookie season with Utah Stars (ABA), he was named an ABA All-Star and earned ABA All-Rookie honors.
• Malone 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.
• He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2001.