Earl “The Pearl” Monroe’s first two professional shots were blocked by Bill Russell. In desperation, he tried a spin move that scored.
“You can’t get them all big fella,” said Monroe while running down the court, “and he said, ‘Yeah, but two out of three is pretty good.’”
Still as smooth and energetic as the 1967 NBA Rookie of the Year, Monroe returned to his old organization yesterday to discuss his No. 10 being retired on Dec. 1. The former Baltimore Bullet will join Wes Unseld’s 41, Elvin Hayes’ 11 and Gus Johnson’s 25 as the only numbers in the Verizon Center rafters for the now Washington Wizards.
New city and team name doesn’t matter. Monroe was one of the franchise’s greater players ever and still looks and sounds like he could give Agent Zero a run. Indeed, Monroe joked of wishing his long-range shots counted for three like Gilbert Arenas was credited after the latter broke Monroe’s single-game team record of 56 points with 60 last season.
Monroe was one of those guards who could do anything on the court. His childhood friends in Philadelphia nicknamed him “Baby Jesus.” Opposing fans called him “hot dog.” Those playground antics changed the pro game with a spin move that’s now a staple of modern ball.
“There’s very few players you can say revolutionized the game the way that he did,” said Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld. “The herky-jerky that froze opponents was what everybody tried to do on the playground.”
Monroe always considered himself a Bullet even when traded to the New York Knicks in 1971 after leading Baltimore to the NBA Finals the previous season. He went into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1990 as a Bullet despite playing nine years elsewhere and perhaps best known as part of the Knicks backcourt with Walt Frazier.
Still, Monroe seemed genuinely touched while holding a framed jersey.
“Everything I’ve done starts with the Bullets organization,” he said. “When I went to New York I had to give up my No. 10, so getting my No. 10 back brings me full circle.
“I never felt like people felt I was a real Knick. They identified me as a Baltimore Bullet and then a Knick. My better games were as a Baltimore Bullet.”
Now 36 years since leaving Baltimore, Monroe is still recognized by children on the street who watch him on ESPN Classic or play EA Sports video games with the legendary players. They say, “Hi, Earl” to his surprise. It seems you’re never too young to recognize a good thing.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
