Two, Two, Two: Sixers To Retire Moses Malone’s Jersey On February 8th
- NBA champion (1983)
- NBA Finals MVP (1983)
- 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1979, 1982, 1983)
- 12× NBA All-Star (1978–1989)
Who was this dominant?
Moses Malone.
The center that changed the trajectory, and history, of the Philadelphia 76ers, will finally be honored by the team during halftime of the Nuggets nationally televised ESPN game on February 8th.
Sadly, Malone passed away in 2015 at the age of 60.
Team to Retire Moses Malone's No. 2
2️⃣ https://t.co/ZX8gdtK03W | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/42qWq0GE10
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 11, 2019
His #2 will be hoisted to the rafters. All I have to say is…”what took you so long?”
How did Malone find his way to Philly? Well, the Sixers were coming off of a whomping in the finals to the Lakers where Kareem, the goggled one, had made it painfully obvious that the team needed a strong presence down low and a true anchor for the team. That anchor was Moses Malone, who signed a 6 year, $13.2M deal with the Sixers in September of 1982 by way of trade.
The cost? Caldwell Jones and a first round draft pick to Houston.
A steal.
The Sixers won the title that season. What else can you possibly say about him?
Here’s his career stat line:
20.3 points per game, 12.3 rebounds per game and 1.3 blocks per game.
But those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Moses brought a swagger to the Sixers. He was the final piece of the Dr J, Mo Cheeks puzzle.
Who can forget his proclamation of “Fo, Fo, Fo”?
Philadelphia went on to 65 victories and the Atlantic Division title. When asked how Philadelphia would perform in the Playoffs, Malone issued what would become a famous prediction: “Fo’, Fo’, Fo’,” meaning that the 76ers would win each round in a sweep on its way to the Championship.
Turns out that it was “Fo, Fi, Fo” but hey…who’s counting?
Here’s what current Sixers GM Elton Brand had to say on the honor:
Moses Malone is one of the NBA’s all-time elite players and someone who propelled our organization to great height. He is a three-time MVP, 13-time All Star, one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, an NBA champion and a worthy Hall of Famer. He embodies what our program is striving to achieve, and he has earned the great honor of having his jersey retired and his sculpture unveiled by the 76ers.
Congrats up to Moses. You’re probably the most underrated center in the history of the NBA. We can’t wait to celebrate you at the Center against the Nuggets on February 8th.
