Houston basketball reaches new heights as Moses Malone powers through defenders to become the Rockets’ first MVP, transforming a struggling franchise into contenders through sheer determination. The “Chairman of the Boards” from Petersburg, Virginia averages 17.6 rebounds per game, and his tireless work and sharp instincts prove that dedication conquers all obstacles. His historic season marks the evolution from the first ever high school prodigy to professional force, every offensive rebound fueling Houston’s rise to the Western Conference elite. A future Hall of Famer, and the only player in NBA history to win consecutive MVP awards for two different teams, is in the conversation for most dominant big men in history. Malone set the standard for other legendary Rockets big men to follow. In this showcase, he delivered 24 points and 15 rebounds. · Oct 18, 1978