Today In History

Earl “The Pearl” Monroe was a flamboyant and popular player with the Baltimore Bullets during his first 4 seasons in the NBA. He was the 2nd pick overall in the 1967 NBA draft by the Bullets, won the Rookie of the Year, was a 2-time All-Star, and averaged over 21 points per game in each of his first 4 seasons with the Bullets. Teaming with Wes Unseld, the Bullets were one of the league’s top teams. But on November 10, 1971, the unthinkable happened. The Pearl was traded to the Bullets’ Eastern Conference rivals, the New York Knicks. With the Knicks, Monroe would be teamed in the same backcourt as another legendary player, and his personal rival, Walt Frazier. Many doubted that the two could co-exist in the same backcourt. But, they did much more than co-exist. Monroe and Frazier, along with Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, and others, led the Knicks to the 1973 NBA title. Monroe would play the rest of his career with the Knicks. Monroe is a member of the NBA Hall of Fame, and has his number retired by both franchises he played for in his career.