On This Day in NBA History, 76ers Acquired Moses Malone

This day in history, September 7th, the Philadelphia 76ers signed Moses Malone to a then-record-breaking contract. On this date in 1982, the signing stole Malone away from the Houston Rockets and made for the richest contract at the time. 

The deal was a six-year deal worth $2.2 million. (Yes, that was considered a massive contract at the time.) The move proved to be a steal, as it led to a championship for Philadelphia. Malone goes down as one of the best 76ers to ever grace the court, and it’s hard to argue that. During their championship run, Malone famously predicted a "fo', fo', fo'" sweep run in the playoffs; even though he didn’t deliver on the sweep, he led Philadelphia to the 1983 NBA Championship over the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The 76ers went 12-1 during that run, and the team was on a heater like no one ever expected. They were able to sweep the New York Knicks in the first round. Their sole loss came at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks. Then they went on a tear in the NBA Finals, taking out Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Earvin “Magic” Johnson led the Lakers team. 

Moses Malone won the NBA Finals MVP award, averaging 26 points and 18 rebounds. Malone also accomplished a feat no one expected as he out-rebounded Abdul-Jabar throughout the series. 

Not only did he earn Finals MVP honors, but he also earned the NBA MVP award, averaging 24 points and 15 rebounds per game. Prior to this MVP award with the 76ers, he won two others with his former team, the Rockets.  Many consider Malone to be one of the greatest offensive rebounders the game has ever seen. Malone currently owns the all-time record for offensive rebounds. His tenacious activity made him not only a phenomenal rebounder but also a relentless big man in the paint. 

Malone’s abilities laid the foundation for what to expect when a player comes to the 76ers. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to win. In today’s game Malone would be a problem for many to deal with. While his scoring ability isn’t up to par with someone like Joel Embiid, his talents still earned him the accolades of an 11-time all-star.

Malone will always be known as one of the 76ers greats; he brought a championship to a starving franchise and made Philadelphia his home.