“He was a guy I idolized so to speak, I wore his socks throughout my high school career” - How Earl “The Pearl” Monroe kept learning from Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain was among the most unbelievable players in NBA history due to how mythical he seemed. He stood at 7’1” but was an athletic marvel who could outrun and out-jump almost any player in the league.
Chamberlain's time in the NBA didn't just leave a mark on the court; it also inspired countless players to follow in his footsteps or aim for greatness. Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, who was eight years younger than Chamberlain, was among those who looked up to him. Monroe spent hours studying Chamberlain's game during his prime and later found himself competing against him in the 1972 NBA Finals.
“My impression of Wilt is that everything you had done, he had done better. e was that kind of a guy, I remember him from Philly, and I played with his brother, so I kinda knew him and saw him play,” Monroe said in a video package for NBA 75.
“He was a guy I idolized so to speak, I wore his socks throughout my high school career because they were long and I had skinny legs, I was able to make my legs look a bit bigger. He was a guy for me, he’s the greatest player to ever play the game.”
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Earl became a legend by learning from Wilt
While The Pearl played the guard position, he still learned a lot from watching Wilt. Monroe was one of the league’s best one-on-one players, and while he was not as big as Chamberlain, Earl knew that sizing up the defender and having counter-moves were the best ways to become a great offensive player.
Monroe was not an elite athlete like Wilt, so he knew he needed a lot of skills to get past his defender and get a bucket. That was why he focused on honing a feathery jump shot and his trademark spin move. While Earl didn't possess the same level of dominance as the legendary center, he was a fiercely competitive player. He showcased his skills by earning four All-Star selections and clinching a championship with the New York Knicks in 1973.
Wilt seems like a mythical player
When Wilt Chamberlain's name comes up, he stands out as an extraordinary player, even when compared to today's athletes. He holds the distinction of being the only NBA player to average more than 40 points per game, achieved during the 1961/62 and 1962/63 seasons. Despite his incredible talent and athleticism, Chamberlain faced challenges in securing championships early in his career, particularly due to the dominance of the Boston Celtics and their star rival, Bill Russell.
Nevertheless, Wilt's unparalleled prowess on both offense and defense cements his status as one of the greatest athletes in sports history. Despite being less prominent in contemporary discussions, his remarkable achievements in basketball continue to inspire awe and admiration whenever his impressive stats are mentioned.
