Probably fooled some who thought this was going to be about Karl. Nope, it's about Moses Malone. I wonder why Moses Malone often gets left out of conversations regarding the all-time great centers. He's #5 in points and #5 in rebounds (and 16 in blocked shots). Based on 2004, stats alone, this is where he would rank: 1. Wilt 2. Kareem 3. Moses 4. Hakeem 5. Shaq 6. Russell Of course, this doesn't take into consideration Russell's rings, as I'm sure he ranks higher than #6 for many. So is it because he didn't put ridiculous numbers (Wilt), wasn't a college phenon nor the all-time scoring leader (Kareem), owner of 11 rings (Russell), didn't have legendary moves (Hakeem), and wasn't a physical specimen (Shaq) that causes him to be ignored? The guy led a so-so Rockets team to the Finals within a few years and led the 76ers to the Finals in his 1st year with the team. Let's give Mo (not Taylor) the respect he deserves.
Moses is a good center, but probably not in the top 5. If you switched Mo and Russ, your list would be pretty standard, though most now feel it is debatable between Shaq and Dream.
I circled April, fourth on my calander this year and made a note "Moses Malone rememberance day". Why April fourth? ... thats Fo! Fo! Fo!
I agree Moses doesn't get the respect he deserves. I think its due to a few factors: 1. He only won one championship and that was with a team with Dr. J and Mo Cheeks who took some of the spotlight off of him. 2. For most of his career he played with Houston which then wasn't considered in the spotlight. After the Rox defeated the Lakers in the first round of the 1980 playoffs they got virtually know media coverage until the finals vs. Boston. 3. For pretty much his whole career he was overshadowed by Kareem. 4. People have short term memories which is why Robinson will appear higher on current great center list than Moses.
As great as malone was he was one of many great centers playing at the time. Nate Thurmond comes to mind as just an example, Bob Lanier... etc.
I never seen so many physical center back days than Moses Malone. Great respect to the man, He deserved to be on spot 3 for all time center.
