Key facts
- Knicks legend Earl 'The Pearl' Monroe visited Long Island.
- Monroe rallied fans behind the team ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
- He stated that New York 'needs' a championship.
New York Knicks legend Earl 'The Pearl' Monroe visited Long Island on Wednesday to rally suburban fans behind the team as they prepare for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Monroe, a Hall of Famer and a member of the Knicks' 1973 championship-winning team, made an appearance at the Nassau County municipal building in Mineola. He expressed his belief that New York 'needs' a championship, rallying support for the current team's pursuit of the title.