He died at the age of 60 on Sept. 13, 2015.NBA.com is part of Turner Sports Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network.
Well Done as always MVP Moses Malone Jr. told Fox 26 Houston that his father was his "best friend. "Malone, named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players, was the Finals MVP in 1983, as he led the "Moses holds a special place in our hearts and will forever be remembered as a genuine icon and pillar of the most storied era in the history of Philadelphia 76ers basketball," the 76ers said in a statement Sunday.The 6-foot-10 center averaged a double-double -- 20.6 points per game and 12.2 rebounds -- while playing for eight teams over 20 NBA seasons and led the league in rebounding six times -- including five straight seasons from 1980-85.His 16,212 rebounds still rank fifth on the NBA's all-time list, while his 27,409 career points rank eighth. "We mourn his passing today and send our condolences to his family and loved ones." Passing up an opportunity to attend the University of Maryland, he instead chose to play in the ABA with the Utah Stars, who had selected him in the third round of the 1974 ABA Draft.At the age of 19, Malone was almost skinny at 215 pounds, yet he still played in 83 games for the Stars in 1974-75, averaging 18.8 points and 14.6 rebounds.
He made his third straight All-Star appearance -- his second straight as a starter -- and was named to the All-NBA Second Team at season's end. Two seasons later, in 1980-81, he powered an underdog Houston team into The Finals.Malone won his second MVP Award in 1981-82 after averaging 31.1 points and 14.7 rebounds. He made more free throws, 8,531 more at the time, than any other player in NBA history and also finished his career ranked second behind Wilt Chamberlain in free throw attempts with 11,090.He also left the game as third in games played (1,329), sixth in minutes played (45,071) and 10th in field goal attempts (19,225).
The 1984-85 campaign was his last with the Sixers.Malone's career peaked during his years at Houston and Philadelphia, although he remained one of the league's top scorers and rebounders for the next four seasons, two with the Washington Bullets and two more with the Atlanta Hawks. Malone averaged 25.8 points and 14.5 rebounds, ranking fifth in the league in scoring and second to Swen Nater (15.0 rpg) in rebounding.
Moses Malone's pro basketball career began in 1974 the ABA's Utah Stars. Milwaukee continued to struggle while developing young talent, finishing 28-54 and last in the Central Division.Many thought Malone would retire after an injury-plagued 1992-93 campaign, but the Philadelphia 76ers convinced him to play another season -- his 18th in the NBA and his 20th in professional basketball. Our thoughts are with Moses' family and friends during this difficult time. You will truly be missed. 7,695 against the Indiana Pacers, he became the NBA's all-time leader in free throws made, surpassing Oscar Robertson.
The Rockets, energized by Malone's 26.8 ppg and 14.5 rpg during the playoffs, surprised everyone by advancing all the way to the NBA Finals. (Malone would break his own record two years later.
Malone, however, totaled an impressive 49 points and 41 rebounds in the two games.He continued to dominate the paint in 1979-80. After nearly toppling the Celtics the year before in a thrilling Eastern Conference semifinal series, Atlanta didn't make it out of the first round in 1989. He earned his 11th consecutive All-Star selection and was one of only four players to rank in the top 20 in scoring and the top 10 in rebounding.
