How would Moses Malone's "move" in 1982-83 be viewed today?

I created a very similar thread a few years ago, but it was deleted in the ISH "purge." But in light of this generation's obsession with talking about "ring chasing", forming "superteams", etc. I decided to revisit it.

In the summer of 1982, Moses Malone was considered by many to be the best player in the game. He had won two of the previous four NBA MVP awards, was the best rebounder in the league, and finished second in scoring during the 1982 season. In 1981 he overachieved and led his team to the NBA Finals against the Celtics. In route to the Finals Malone’s Rockets, in a major upset, eliminated the Showtime Lakers. The next season they did not fair too well, and while having a better regular season record, were eliminated in the first round. That summer this reigning league MVP decided to… “[URL="https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19820916&id=fs5YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2ukDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3058,5297405&hl=en"]ring chase[/URL]”… in his prime, as they call it today.

Moses Malone’s contract with the Rockets had expired, [URL="https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19820903&id=Dp9cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=U1gNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6164,285400&hl=en"]and then he signed an offer sheet with perennial NBA Finalists, Philadelphia 76ers[/URL]. [URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1982.html"]This “stacked” team had just won 58 games, defeated the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics[/URL] in route to their [URL="https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19821102&id=YcFHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UoAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6889,447197&hl=en"]third Finals in six seasons, and had the league’s best combined regular season winning percentage over that span.[/URL] They had superstar forward, Dr. J, who was basically KD's and Steph's age now. Dr. J. had won the 1981 MVP and was still all NBA 1st team in 1982. That means the Sixers would now have winners of three of the previous five MVPs on the same team. They also had All Star and All Defensive 1st Team forward, Bobby Jones, along with a host of other quality pieces such as Mo Cheeks and Andrew Toney. After acquiring Malone, the Sixers would send four players to the all star game that season, three starters and one reserve. During training camp Malone stated, “[URL="https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19821102&id=YcFHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UoAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6889,447197&hl=en https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jhZUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=94wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3346%2C4330513"]This is Doc’s [Dr. J] show. I’m not going to come in and take away Doc’s show…[/URL]”


While [URL="https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jhZUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=94wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3346%2C4330513"]“free agency”[/URL] as they knew it in the 1980’s was not quite what it is today, Moses Malone rejected his initial offer from the Rockets and signed an offer sheet with the Sixers that the Rockets were not willing to match. Instead of matching it, and in an effort to get at least something in return, they agreed to trade him to the 76ers for center, Caldwell Jones, and a first round draft pick.

In light of how moves such as this are treated today, I searched several articles from that off season seeking out fan and media reaction to something that people would call, “weak”, “punk” or “beta”, in this social media age. Unless I missed something, no such sentiments were expressed by anyone. All of the articles were about…basketball… as opposed to “legacy”, “ring chasing”, or forming "super teams." Malone was not being vilified or castigated for wanting to go to a “stacked” team that was already a title contender. Most articles were actually praising the 76ers for making a move that could finally get them over the hump. [URL="https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=336&dat=19820916&id=UTcpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H4MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5239,4485609&hl=en"]A few did criticize the Sixers for robbing the Rockets in this deal.[/URL]

What happened? But the bigger question is how his move would be viewed today?

If anything, I think it's closest to what Garnett did by joining Paul Pierce in Boston (leaving the Western Conference to help an Eastern Conference team win a championship.) which really wasn't frowned upon either. It might by a bit like Golden State recruiting Durant to join them but it's also not because Durant stayed in conference and joined the team he couldn't beat, total biznatch move IMO. Moses didn't join a team he couldn't beat. I also don't think it's exactly like Lebron going to Miami. As I recall, Wade, Lebron, and Bosh all colluded together to form a superteam. When Philly got Moses I don't recall Doc and the other players recruiting Moses to come play with them. It was a long time ago and news wasn't as readily available as it is now so I could be wrong about that. IIRC, it was the Sixers front office that made the move and not the players all colluding together to form a superteam. To answer your question, if that move had happened after what Lebron and Durant had done, I'm sure the fans would have been screaming "collusion!"

No one on ISH cares, 99% of ISH posters weren't even born yet.

Things will be the same with the new generations looking back on 2010-2020...no one will care.

[QUOTE=StrongLurk;14406537]No one on ISH cares, 99% of ISH posters weren't even born yet.

Things will be the same with the new generations looking back on 2010-2020...no one will care.[/QUOTE]

I guess I'm in that 1%. Moses is my favorite player. It was frustrating not being able to beat Boston. When Philly landed Moses it was huge for us Boston Haters.

[IMG]https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/2/philadelphia-76ers-moses-malone-november-01-1982-sports-illustrated-cover.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=StrongLurk;14406537]No one on ISH cares, 99% of ISH posters weren't even born yet.

Things will be the same with the new generations looking back on 2010-2020...no one will care.[/QUOTE]

Probably. I made a thread about this years ago as well, why nobody gives Moses Malone shit for joining a team that had made the Finals the year before, nobody really gave a good explanation. The Sixers were coming off a Finals loss to the Lakers and Moses Malone was the reigning MVP.

[QUOTE=1987_Lakers;14406544]Probably. I made a thread about this years ago as well, why nobody gives Moses Malone shit for joining a team that had made the Finals the year before, nobody really gave a good explanation. The Sixers were coming off a Finals loss to the Lakers and Moses Malone was the reigning MVP.[/QUOTE]

It's because Moses was traded to Philadelphia, he didn't collude like Lebron and Durant did. He was a restricted free-agent. Philadelphia offered him 2.2 million/year to come to Philadelphia. Houston matched their offer and then accepted a sign and trade deal to send him to the Sixers. In return Houston got Caldwell Jones and a first-round draft choice Philly owned from the Cavaliers.

That's why you're not getting the same backlash. Moses didn't collude to make a superteam, Houston and the Sixers front offices pulled it off.

“It’s only bad when LeBron does it”-RogueBorg

[QUOTE=RogueBorg;14406563]It's because Moses was traded to Philadelphia, he didn't collude like Lebron and Durant did. He was a restricted free-agent. Philadelphia offered him 2.2 million/year to come to Philadelphia. Houston matched their offer and then accepted a sign and trade deal to send him to the Sixers. In return Houston got Caldwell Jones and a first-round draft choice Philly owned from the Cavaliers.

That's why you're not getting the same backlash. Moses didn't collude to make a superteam, Houston and the Sixers front offices pulled it off.[/QUOTE]
LeBron was traded to Miami.

Still finding examples to justify and normalize Lebron's circumstances? Any jersey burning on a large scale that happened?

[QUOTE=RRR3;14406566]LeBron was traded to Miami.[/QUOTE]

Then what was The Decision?

[QUOTE=RRR3;14406566]LeBron was traded to Miami.[/QUOTE]

Ten years ago, ESPN aired "The Decision," a controversial, live, prime-time special in which NBA free agent LeBron James announced that he would leave his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and join the Miami Heat.Jun 27, 2020

Erving was 33 and past his prime. Still a great player, but 1983 was the last year Doc made 1st team All-NBA. With Cheeks and Toney, the early and mid 80s Sixers were lethal. Many consider them a superteam.

[QUOTE=RogueBorg;14406568]Then what was The Decision?[/QUOTE]
A television special. What I told you is literally a fact lol. It was agreed to by all parties so the Cavs could get something out of it. Same thing happened with your hero Moses.

[QUOTE=RogueBorg;14406563]It's because Moses was traded to Philadelphia, he didn't collude like Lebron and Durant did. He was a restricted free-agent. Philadelphia offered him 2.2 million/year to come to Philadelphia. Houston matched their offer and then accepted a sign and trade deal to send him to the Sixers. In return Houston got Caldwell Jones and a first-round draft choice Philly owned from the Cavaliers.

That's why you're not getting the same backlash. Moses didn't collude to make a superteam, Houston and the Sixers front offices pulled it off.[/QUOTE]

Technically, LeBron was traded to Miami as well. Moses was a free agent in 1982 and the Rockets didn't want to pay him.

[QUOTE=1987_Lakers;14406585]Technically, LeBron was traded to Miami as well. Moses was a free agent in 1982 and the Rockets didn't want to pay him.[/QUOTE]
He doesn’t know this. All he knows is he hates LeBron for challenging MJ.