Moses Malone Passes Away, 60

The National Basketball Association has lost another great today with the sudden demise of NBA Hall of Famer Moses Malone.

Malone spent 19 seasons in the NBA and won the league’s Most Valuable Player award three times. Aside from that, Malone was fondly called the Chairman of the Boards.

Standing only 6-foot-10, Malone battled the taller centers from other teams such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton. That tenacity was in fact instrumental when he played for the Philadelphia 76ers in 1982-83, leading them to their first and only NBA title.

Malone died in his sleep according to multiple reports. It is believed that the Malone died of an apparent heart attack. He was found at a hotel in Norfolk, Virginia after failing to appear at a celebrity golf tournament.

Malone’s professional career dates back to the defunct ABA days where he played for the Utah Stars (1974-75). When the Stars folded after one season, Malone found himself transferring to the Spirits of St. Louis.

When the ABA-NBA merger took place in 1975-76, the Spirits of St. Louis were not among the teams chosen to join the NBA. Malone would eventually find himself in the dispersal draft where the Portland Trailblazers would pick him up.

It wasn’t a sweet transition for Malone who would move yet again, this time to the Buffalo Braves. After only two games, Malone would be dealt to the Houston Rockets where he would start to make heads turn with his ferocious rebounding.

Malone’s stars started to shine in Houston where he got the ample recognition. He won his first MVP at the age of 23 in the 1978-79 season. His other two MVP awards came in 1982-83.

Malone became a free-agent in 1982 and eventually signed an offer sheet worth $13.2 million with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Sixers were coming off an NBA Finals loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers at that time, and the team had pinned their hopes on Moses Malone to take them to the promised land. Malone’s impact was felt right away as he joined the likes of Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving, Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney and Bobby Jones to win their first and only NBA title.

After his contract was up, Malone became a journeyman playing for the Washington Bullets, Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks and the San Antonio Spurs.

When news broke out of his untimely passing, players paid tribute to the Hall of Famer via social medium Twitter.

My condolences to the family and friends of Moses Malone. You will truly be missed. Rest in peace Big Mo!!!

— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) September 13, 2015

My heart saddens once more, Moses Malone passes away at 60, way too soon.. Thoughts n prayer to the family.. #FoFoFo pic.twitter.com/I7nK2VCY3f — Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) September 13, 2015

For those who were unable to see Moses Malone during his prime, here is a compiled video you can check out courtesy of the NBA.