Earl Monroe - The Pearl
- 00:02:37
- YouTube
Earl Monroe - The Pearl
Vernon Earl Monroe (born on November 21, 1944, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American former professional basketball player known for his flamboyant dribbling, passing and play-making. In 1967, the two-time All-American was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets (now the Washington Wizards) in the first round of the NBA draft (2nd overall pick). He won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in a season in which he averaged 24.3 points per game, and scored 56 points in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. This was the third-highest rookie total in NBA history at the time and also a franchise record (later broken by Gilbert Arenas on December 17 2006). He formed a formidable one-two punch with Wes Unseld and became a cult hero for his ability to run the fast break and for his circus-like shots. "On February 6, 1970, he set an NBA record with 13 points in one overtime in a double overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons (since surpassed by Gilbert Arenas). In 1971, Monroe was traded to the New York Knicks and formed a celebrity backcourt with equally flamboyant Walt Frazier. The duo meshed together to form one of the most deadly guard combinations of all time, featuring two Hall of Famers and NBA 50th Anniversary Team members. With Monroe, the Knicks won the 1973 NBA championship.
YouTube | February 26, 2008
