NBA coaching legend Doug Moe passes away at 87

By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

Doug Moe passed away on Tuesday in San Antonio at the age of 87, following a battle with illness.

His basketball journey began in Italy with Petrarca Padova from 1965 to 1967, where he became the top scorer of the 1965–66 Serie A season and established himself as one of Europe’s premier talents. This European stint followed a collegiate career at North Carolina that was unjustly marred by a point-shaving scandal. He was later formally cleared of any involvement, but the initial reluctance of North American teams led him abroad.

Upon returning to the United States in 1967, Moe became an ABA champion and a three-time ABA All-Star. He played for the New Orleans Buccaneers, Oakland Oaks, Carolina Cougars, and Virginia Squires.

Transitioning to the sidelines, Moe revolutionized the game through his mastery of the motion offense. His philosophy prioritized instinct and constant movement over rigid, set plays. This run-and-gun style defined his legendary coaching career, which included 661 total victories. His most iconic tenure was with the Denver Nuggets from 1980 to 1990, where he led the team to nine consecutive postseason appearances and earned NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1988. The Nuggets later honored his 432 regular-season wins with a retired “432” banner.

Moe also served as head coach for the San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers, eventually receiving the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting influence on the modern game.

The NBA, the Denver Nuggets, and the San Antonio Spurs all released statements mourning the loss of a “one-of-a-kind leader” whose vision helped shape the wide-open style of play seen in the league today.

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