In 1973, Earl ?The Pearl? Monroe was a key part to the New York Knicks beating the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA title?the last time the Knicks won it all.
Now, he hopes to bring another title to New York at the expense of L.A.
The Hall of Fame point guard is coaching the New York basketball team in The People?s Games?a new sports event that offers athletes the opportunity to represent their cities in competition against other cities. For starters, the program is featuring basketball between New York and L.A.
Tryouts for the New York and L.A. squads begin Sunday. Former UCLA great Lucius Allen will coach the L.A. team.
?This is for everybody, not just the guys who are playground heroes,? Monroe told Sporting News. ?This is for guys who are taxi cab drivers, who are teachers, attorneys, doctors?whoever can get out here and represent their city.?
Plans are to add cities and sports, according to The People?s Games commissioner Terry Jastrow.
Monroe said in 1973, the Knicks learned from the previous season, when they lost to the Lakers in the finals.
?We took a page from the year before when we lost,? Monroe told Sporting News. ?After losing our first game to L.A., we came together in the locker room and said to ourselves?we can beat these guys.
?We turned the tables on them and won four straight after that. That?s the same thing that happened to them the year before. ? The rivalry has always been there.?
He expects that rivalry to continue with this latest venture.
?I?m expecting to win, so I?m expecting some really good players to try out,? Monroe said. ?You have to be 18 years of age or older, could not have played professionally and you have to be a resident of New York. Other than that, people can try out, hopefully make the team and get ready to beat L.A.?
For more information, visit peoplesgames.com.
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