Ranking the top 50 players in NBA history…
21. Moses Malone
For whatever reason, Malone is sorely underdiscussed in all-time NBA narratives.
It doesn’t make any sense, because Malone is one of the best big men the league has ever seen. Following two seasons in the ABA, Malone embarked on a 19-year NBA career in which he played for multiple teams, including the Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Bullets, Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs.
Malone won NBA MVP three times (1979, 1982, 1983) and was an NBA All-Star in 12 consecutive seasons, earning eight All-NBA Team selections as well.
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His most notable achievement was leading the 76ers to the 1983 NBA championship, earning Finals MVP honors after averaging 26.0 points and 15.8 rebounds in the playoffs, famously predicting a “fo, fo, fo” sweep, which nearly came true with a 12-1 playoff run.
He led the NBA in rebounding six times, including a record five consecutive seasons (1981–1985) and was aptly nicknamed “Chairman of the Boards” for his rebounding prowess.
Malone was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001 and named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams, with his jerseys retired by the Rockets (No. 24) and 76ers (No. 2).
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But who ranks ahead of Malone at No. 20 all-time?