At one point in time, Earl Monroe was considered the best one on one basketball player in the NBA. Today, the same is said about James Harden. Innovative is how I would describe both of their games. Another word would be unstoppable. Wizards with the basketball in their hands, Monroe had ball handling skills that electrified the crowds, similar to how Harden currently leaves fans in awe of his ability to own his defender off the dribble.
Unfortunately, I was born in 1983. I never had the honor of watching Earl Monroe play live. I have watched old games, and highlight reels. More indicative of how good The Pearl was than the eye test is the way my father, and men who spent their adolescent years during, “The Pearls best years,” spoke about him.
So much passion and admiration for his game, this is best depicted in a scene in Spike Lee’s movie, “He Got Game,” where Denzel Washington’s character, Jake Shuttlesworth, is explaining how his son ended up with the name “Jesus.” Not named after Christ, Shuttlesworth named his son after Monroe, who earned the name, “Jesus” early on in his playing career.
Harden receives the same admiration. Although I cringe at how long he holds the ball on offense, I am still amazed by his skillset, which includes his ability to use his body while driving to the hole. This is again is similar to the way Monroe used his body to set up his patented spin move back in the day.
The game has evolved since the 1960’s. Harden, more athletic, with a bigger build than Monroe, is the new improved version of “The Pearl”
Thoughts Processed 