Harlem Globetrotters

[Half Smoke]

.

The Harlem Globetrotters were so very popular and successful largely because the NBA had no black players until 1950

after that, for a long time, their numbers were tightly limited by GMs whose policies re this were never reported in the press

the pic below is of the 1958 St. Louis Hawks

the Trotters had some truly great players - still - they were often put down as being "just clowns"

they got some of the respect they deserved when they defeated the World Champion Minneapolis Lakers with George Mikan in 1949 in some kind of tournament












.

[Half Smoke]

.

2 vids of the amazing Curly Neal and then Marques Haynes - Curly 60s, Marques 50s

so very fun to watch

YouTube

YouTube

.

[Half Smoke]

.


.
the above vid of Marques includes a glowing tribute from the man himself - Wilt - who believe it or not played for the Trotters for a short time

.









.

[Inner Dirt]

Originally Posted by Half Smoke

.


.
the above vid of Marques includes a glowing tribute from the man himself - Wilt - who believe it or not played for the Trotters for a short time

.









.

I think due to following sports at a very young age, my memories of sports align more with someone older. Also damn near every book report I did where the subject was open I did it on a historical athlete. I thought most everyone who ever followed the Trotter's knew Wilt played for them. If memory serves me every Trotter game I watched was on ABC's Wide World of Sports. As a Republican I hate using the R-word as it was been cheapened, but saying the Trotters were and are nothing but clowns is utter BS. They were very talented basketball players who also clowned.

[Robert Fischer]

at their peak they excelled in both skill and comedy.

Many times their highlight jokes are punctuated with a made shot or trick shot.

both the Globetrotters and their rival for the game (often the 'Washington Generals') all played a part and worked together to put on a great show.

[ranchwest]

I saw the Globetrotters play in an old arena that had metal rafters that began I'd guess about 25 feet up. Curly Neal put up a hook shot from half court near the side, over the rafters and made the shot. Only one try. Amazing.

IIRC, the Trotters paid Wilt a million dollars for one season.

[Wiley]

Bob Gibson also played for the Trotters one year.

I used to love seeing them on Wide World of Sports and their Saturday morning cartoon in the 60's and 70's.

My early coaches used to have us work on Trotter dribbling to help improve on our basic dribbling skills. He would play "Sweet Georgia Brown" over the intercom in the gym too.

[woodbinepmi]

My old bookie loved me, always took the points and the Generals.

[Half Smoke]

.

one more - Curly "Boo" Johnson

17 million views on this baby

the unbelievable shot is at 1:01

enjoy

YouTube

.

[mountainman]

Haynes appeared with some makeshift team at the local hs back in 70, or so. Having had seen the trotters, I found Curly Neal the flashier ball-handler.

My pals and me used to spin Sweet Georgia Brown on an old record player while dribbling in my basement. Those same pals and I would shovel snow from an outdoor court and play hoops in sub zero weather. For real. Precious memories.

BTW, I still can't wrap my mind around Meadowlark Lemon's incredible accuracy with those half-court hook shots.