Legendary Denver Nuggets head coach Doug Moe visited the players during shootaround on April 18.

According to The San Antonio Express-News' Tom Osborn, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone invited the 80-year-old NBA icon to chat with Nuggets players on Thursday. Malone referred to Moe as “a legend.”

He's a legend. I told all our players to make sure they go over to him and pay their respects…When you are in hostile territory, it's always good to have a friendly face.

Malone also asked Moe if he wanted to take over the Nuggets' coaching duties in Game 3, per Osborn.

I actually invited him to coach tonight, and I would sit in the stands and have a hot dog and a beer, and he said, ‘Hell, no.'

He said, ‘Coach, that's all you. I'm going to enjoy the game.'

Moe is a resident of San Antonio who coached both the Nuggets and Spurs. He told Osborn he's taking a neutral stance in the playoff series. The reason: both Malone and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich are his friends.

I can't just outwardly root for either of them because I am friends with Coach Malone and Pop. I hope they both play great and one of them comes out the winner. I don't know, I have a feeling it could be a tie.

The Spurs, behind point guard Derrick White's 36 points, beat the Nuggets, 118-108, in Game 3. San Antonio now leads the first-round playoff series 2-1.

Moe coached in the NBA from 1976 to 1993. He is the Nuggets' all-time leader in coaching wins with 432. He ranks second behind Popovich among Spurs head coaches with 177 victories.

Moe led Denver to the playoffs in all of his nine seasons in the Mile High City. He also helped the Nuggets win two division titles and reach the Western Conference Finals in 1985. He also helped the Spurs reach the Western Conference Finals in 1979.