The NBA world mourns the loss of one of the greatest architects of the sport. Legendary coach, Doug Moe passed away at the age of 87 after a long battle with cancer. Moe was known for coaching the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets. But he’s remembered for his often rough, R-rated, irreverent antics on the sidelines that defined the early NBA era.

The NBA celebrated the identity Moe gave to the league in a poignant statement on his passing. “The NBA mourns the passing of Doug Moe, a pioneering coach whose vision and influence helped shape the modern game. An early advocate of a fast, wide-open style of play, he won more than 600 games as head coach of the Nuggets, Spurs and 76ers, earned NBA Coach of the Year honors and later received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting impact on the profession. Before turning to coaching, Doug was an ABA All-Star and champion. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”

As the statement reveals, Doug Moe was the reason why we can’t say the ’80s were the era of plumbers and firemen. He turned motion into an offensive tactic, setting the foundation for modern transition play and passing. It’s what transformed the early incarnation of the Nuggets. Which is why his loss hits hardest in Denver.

A statement by the Denver Nuggets organization said that they were “devastated” by Moe’s demise. They describe him as “one-of-a-kind leader and person who spearheaded one of the most successful and exciting decades in Nuggets history.”

Despite winning an ABA title, Moe never got to win an NBA championship as a coach. The Nuggets hung a banner of his 432 victories as the Nuggets head coach in the rafters and still held him in esteemed position. In retirement, he didn’t watch regular games. But tuned into every game in 2023 to watch Nikola Jokic lead them to a title.

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Between three Nuggets stints, he also coached the Spurs and 76ers. The Spurs are especially grateful for him setting the foundation for the team that it is today.

“We are saddened by the passing of Doug Moe, who served as head coach of the Spurs from 1976-80. Our thoughts go out to his family during this time,” the Spurs’ statement read.

Moe is survived by his wife, Jane, and son David, among extended family. But he also leaves behind two teams, his players, and countless lives he changed through the sport.

Fans celebrate the legend of Doug Moe

Fans fondly remember the former Coach of the Year and the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. He earned those awards for transforming two teams into organizations with devoted fanbases.

Other than the heartfelt, “Rest in peace,” and “He was the coach who shaped my love for NBA! 😢” tributes, some recalled how he made them fall in love with the Spurs and Nuggets.

Remembering his impact on the Mile High City, one supporter shared, “R.I.P. to the original BIG stiff … A Denver legend as a Nuggets coach and as a personality, him n Big Jane will never be forgotten.” ‘Big Jane’ was the affectionate nickname he had for his wife. Older fans remember she barely tolerated his antics that came along with the silly name.

His influence on the scoreboard was undeniable, as another fan pointed out he was “Ahead of his time with those 80s Nuggets offenses 🔥”

Many fans found comfort in the fact that the legendary coach was able to witness the franchise’s ultimate success before his passing, with one noting, “I’m glad he lived to see the Nuggets win a championship. His post-game interviews on KOA (Bob Martin on the call!) were hilarious, calling Sandy Clough ‘Clow.’ My condolences to Big Jane and the Moe family.”

In San Antonio, the sentiment was equally strong, as fans credited Moe with ensuring the team’s survival during its early years. One fan remarked, “This man is also a reason the Spurs are in San Antonio, if he hadn’t given George Gervin the green light we would’ve been irrelevant.” Moe was the one who designed a fast-paced offense that Gervin thrived in and earned him the cold moniker, Iceman. Gervin’s star quality that drew fans to Spurs is entirely credited to Moe.

Others recalled the pure entertainment value of his tenure at the erstwhile Hemisfair Arena, stating, “I went to a few games at Hemisfair back in the day when he was coaching the Spurs. That was a fun team.”

he nostalgia for that era remains a pillar of Spurs history, summarized by a final tribute: “RIP Doug Moe, loved what you did with the Spurs when we had Gervin, Kenyon and the rest of the team. Fun, Fun Times”. Through these reflections, it is clear that while Moe has passed, the “motion” he started in the NBA will never truly stop.