Having won a single NBA championship in his two-decade career, Moses Malone 's impact on the league often goes underappreciated. While many old-school fans argue that 'Big Mo' deserves more recognition among the most dominant big men ever.
However, his rise to stardom began before the world of basketball had even heard his name. Despite never attending college, the 6'10" center followed such an unconventional path to greatness that most teenagers wouldn't even dare to replicate it.
Malone scrimmaged against unique opponents
At Petersburg High School, Big Mo led his team to an undefeated record in his final two years, securing two consecutive Virginia state championships. His height and build were so dominant that everyone recognized that Moses was way superior to the players of his age.
Moreover, in an era lacking specialized basketball camps and tournaments, the three-time MVP was granted permission to visit a state penitentiary to compete against inmates, challenging himself against older but more dangerous opponents.
Lefty Driesell, who nearly recruited Malone to the University of Maryland, recounted brief conversations about his prison games with the center. When Driesell inquired about the opponents and the potential repercussions of playing against criminals, he observed Moses undeterred by such narratives. Moreover, in response, the 13-time All-Star also detailed an opponent in particular who was nicknamed after the man he had murdered.
"One guy about 6'8". They call him Milkman. " Malone said , according to Driesell's. "Cause he murdered a milkman, man."
Unsurprisingly, being fearless even as a teenager when competing against such opponents was what shaped Malone to be one of the most aggressive and hard-playing rim protectors in the '70s and '80s NBA era.
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Moses was already two steps ahead
Ultimately, Malone's unconventional training paid off. At the age of 19, in his rookie ABA season, he averaged 18.8 points and 14.6 rebounds per game. By his third NBA season, he had perfected his skills to MVP level, averaging 24.8 points and a league-leading 17.6 rebounds per game. This achievement was particularly noteworthy given the presence of established stars like George Gervin and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Such instances exemplified his resilience and determination. While some of the greatest players of that era complained about not being in the right environment to maximize their potential, the Virginia native remained fearless in the face of challenging circumstances and situations from an early age. His resume, which includes an NBA championship, MVP awards, and a Finals MVP honor, validates how hard work and resilience can take an athlete far.
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