Lyn (my boo) and I popped over to the Indoor Stadium last Sunday evening to catch the Harlem Globtrotters in action. Dating way back in the mid 1920s, the Harlem Globetrotters have been around before the NBA and with humble beginnings, fighting oppression and segregation due to the nature of their skin. Yes, they really go way back. Although the team is made up of professional basketball players with some hailing from the NBA, their style of basketball is pretty much unorthodox with a huge focus on entertainment. In this case, humour…lots of it.
My memory of the team dates back in 1991 when they first visited Singapore. I was in my early teens with absolutely no money (pretty much like my current status) and my brother-in-law was kind enough to take me to the game. Back then, a legend who went by the name of Fred ‘Curly” Neal dazzled us with his ball handling skills. But that was no surprise given that he was known as the greatest all-time dribbler (or so I found out very much later). Now with a fresh batch of players led by a towering 6′ 9″ Big Easy Lofton from Louisiana, the current team has successfully mimicked a number of the Globetrotters’s style of play with some new moves and comical materials.
Sitting comfortably with a huge serving of beer, we laughed into the night as the team attempted to defeat the cheating Washington Generals (who have been part of the Globetrotter’s entourage for a few decades), with amazing dunks, spectator participation (mostly players playing tricks on them) and loads of comedy. Heck, even the referee is part of the show. So you know its all entertainment. Needless to say, we had a blast and look forward to their next visit. Here are some photos I took. Once again, my camera has failed me on countless occasions. Time to get a new DSLR I think… 
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Left and Right: Some tricks in the famous Magic Circle
Left and Right: More tricks
Left: A moment with the spectators | Right: A behind the back half court attempt
Left: A Globetrotter (can’t remember who) had to be carried off for laughing too hard | Right: Some ball juggling
Left: Referee ordering Hi Rise Brown to get down from the rim | Right: Bull Bullard skies for the two-hander
Left: The Globetrotters thought it would be fun to include a spectator in the game | Right: More goofing off
Left: Big Easy trying to distract an opponent’s free throw attempt by pulling down his shorts… | Right: …only to be avenged by the same player (and yes, that is a pair Guitar Hero boxers)
More photos of the Harlem Globetrotters in my Flickr album.
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yeah loved their show!
i swear i saw an ugly kid there when i was watched the performance the last time…was it you?
I saw one of their shows in Belgium. These guys are amazing
Looks like you guys certainly had fun. I remembered that there used to be a cartoon on the Harlem Globetrotters which captured their abilities to perform fantastic stunts using the basketball on a court. I think it must be awesome to see the real thing.
Sounds like an entertaining night! I had no idea the Harlem globetrotters were that skilled at performing these tricks. Actually, they remind me a bit of soccer players. If you have ever seen ronaldinho, the Brazilian soccer player, he can pull some pretty cool soccer moves. Its like the basketball version … lol
It must have been very entertaining. I grew up in a small town and I remember a knock off of the globe trotters coming to my town to play the high school team. Even the knock off team was entertaining. To see the real team play must have been priceless.
@Nic: Oh were you there? Forgot to ask if you were…aye..
@KP: Ugly kid eh? You really gotta look elsewhere other than the mirror man…D’oh!!
@Kris: They are aren’t they
@Walter: Woah, you know what, I think I remembered watching it back in the days of yore. Think Curly was featured back then..
@Joey Logano Fan: oh yeah, I kinda know what you mean, although I’m no soccer fan…but yeah, these guys sure have skills..
@Cash Back Cards: yeah, they were amazing, heard they trained harder than NBA players because of their unique skills..and most importantly, they had fun..