Week 8 of 52: Harlem Globetrotters

One, or more new things per week for the 2013 year...

Week 8 of 52 (February 18^th, 2013 to February 24^th, 2013): Harlem Globetrotters

                Over 80 years ago, in 1927 a man by the name of Abe Saperstein organized and coached a new basketball team called the “Savoy Big Five”, who’s name came from the famus “Savoy Ballroom” in Chicago. The "Savoy Big Five" consisted of players such as Tommy Brookins, Inman Jackson, Lester Johnson, Joe Lillard, Randolph Ramsey, Walter “Toots” Wright, and Bill “Ham” Watson. Wright, Byron “Fat” Long, William “Kid” Oliver, Albert “Runt” Pullins and Andy Washington.

Later in that same year, the team changed their names to the “New York Globetrotters”. Their debut games was in front of 300 fans, they arrived in a Ford Model -T, total game payout is only $75 and occasionally Abe Saperstein is required to suit up and fill in for an injured player.

In 1941; All-time great Reece "Goose" Tatum, signs with Globetrotters and develops most of the team's classic comedy routines… the rest is history. Fifty-seven years later (in 1998) they play their 20,000^th game, which is broadcast live for the first time on ESPN2.

Needless to say, the Harlem Globetrotters have a very interesting history and are well known throughout the world for their trick-shots and comedy routines. I was lucky enough to attend one of their games here in Portland, Oregon on Saturday February 23, 2013.

Here I am at the game about 30 minutes before it all began.

 Let me say that it was a wonderful experience, the BEST basketball game I have ever attended! It was funny and kept the attention of the audience at every moment, they made you feel like you were part of their routine. They seemed like normal people, and mingled with the group as if they were part of the audience.

I counted myself lucky that I got seats this close!

If you ever get a chance to go, GO! It was a wonderful experience that I will always remember!