TITLE: Doug Moe, architect of 1980s Nuggets offense, dies at 87
SLUG: doug-moe-architect-of-1980s-nuggets-offense-dies-at-87
CONTENT:
DENVER — Doug Moe, the free-wheeling coach who turned the Denver Nuggets into one of the NBA’s highest-scoring teams during the 1980s and a three-time ABA All-Star before that, has died at age 87, the franchise announced Tuesday.
In a statement, the Nuggets praised Moe as “a one-of-a-kind leader” who guided the club through “one of the most successful and exciting decades in Nuggets history.”
Player and coach
Moe earned ABA All-Star honors from 1968 through 1970 and helped the Oakland Oaks capture the 1969 ABA championship. After retiring as a player, he became an assistant to former teammate Larry Brown before being named head coach of the San Antonio Spurs in 1976, a post he held for four seasons.
Denver tenure
Hired by Denver in 1980, Moe installed an up-tempo, run-and-gun offense that powered the Nuggets to nine consecutive playoff appearances. His teams led the league in scoring six times and amassed a 432-357 record, a franchise victory mark that stood until Michael Malone surpassed it last season. The Nuggets have retired a banner honoring his 432 wins.
Career milestones
Moe finished his NBA coaching career with a 628-529 record, 19th on the league’s all-time wins list. In 2018, he received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes coaches for long-term contributions to the game.
He is survived by his wife, Jane, and their son, David.
Source: ESPN
