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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
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