Article Archive/April 2012
Updated April 4, 2012


The Harlem Globetrotters^cont'd.
Up Close and Personal!

By Jay Whipple, Trend Magazine Online™

My evening began shortly after arriving at the coliseum about sixminutes until seven o’clock pm. The traffic was actually not too bad and I will tell you why later. I parked on the north side of parking lot to have easy access to the exit after the game. I was quite surprised to see folks tailgating before the game as if it was a tournament, college, or professional game. Even more surprising was the fact that they were church folks from Enon Baptist Church who instead of beer and barbeque were downing Pepsi and pizza. I was finally seated by 7:15 PM after waiting seemingly an eternity to be seated by the usher. By then, the game was just underway and to my surprise actually started at 7 as opposed to 7:30 PM like I thought it would. That explained the very light traffic. My seat, next to the announcer’s table, gave me a birds-eye view of all the action including close-ups of the players, referees, and entertainers.

This game featured the Globetrotters against the International Elite – men in black – and the star attraction was Nate “Big Easy” Lofton who bears a striking resemblance to a young Sir Charles Barkley (formerly of the Phoenix Suns N.B.A. team). He got the crowd going early on by embarrassing four late-comers before they could sneak to their seats unnoticed. He said something to the effect of “Hey, “do you know what time the game starts,” before ordering them to center court where he made a public pass at the gentleman’s girlfriend while briefly keeping her on the court longer. TNT Maddox made her debut late in the first quarter by showing off her ball handling skills while sliding around several of the Elite players before posting a layup shot. The score at the end of the first – 10 minute -- quarter was Globetrotters 26, Elite 11.

The second quarter opened with the classic air ball and yo-yo ball routines pranked brilliantly by Big Easy. The ball switch happened so quickly that most of us – me included – did not see it coming. This quarter also featured the entertainer Big G who danced to some of today’s most popular tunes while vigorously slamming his head on the court floor. I thought to myself, man I hope he/she has a helmet on under that suit. In addition, me and the audience laughed out loud at the runway model routine which I have not seen in the past. The score at the end of the second – 10 minute -- quarter was Globetrotters 43, Elite 42.

Half time was equally entertaining -- but not part of the rehearsed show -- as scores of little ones rushed on to the court and began to wreak havoc on the event staff that was frantic in their initially futile attempts to clear the court. It was also time for a bathroom break, souvenir purchasing, and autograph signing with the players and supporting casts.

The third quarter featured long shots by players like “Woody,” accompanied by that unforgettable classic Woody Woodpecker laugh from the old 1960’s Bug’s Bunny and Roadrunner Hour cartoon show. I learned that if you make a long shot from the circle painted on the floor it’s worth four points. One of the Globetrotters (Bull) made three in a row which was quite exciting to watch. The crowd favorite in this quarter was the singing and dancing to the 1970’s hit Y.M.C.A. (Young Men’s Christian Association) sung by The Village People. The featured bits were the classic purse routine in which Big Easy befriended a male audience member -- by the name of Taylor -- who he ended up kissing on the mouth after grabbing his butt cheeks several times; and the even more famous water routine that culminated in confetti being tossed into the audience after several "real water" incidents. I especially enjoyed watching them chase this poor little kid around the floor that looked as though he was running for his dear life. They also featured the ”loudest fan” in the building routine as well as a “slow motion backwards” bit that required quite a “bit” of rehearsal. Finally, it took me a while to figure out what was going on after the Emcee came over to me and shook my hand for the third time in less than five minutes. He kept saying “You’re part of the show.” The score at the end of the second – 10 minute -- quarter was Globetrotters 78, Elite 69.

The fourth and final quarter got underway with one of my favorite “good feelings” songs; “Can You Feel It” by The Jacksons (1980: Michael, Tito, Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine, and Randy), this is when the game pace -- and seriousness -- increased dramatically while both teams began to run the court, as in a real pro game, while dunking on both ends. The entertainment in this quarter featured a bit between Big Easy – who is Black -- and a little white boy whom he kept referring to as his son. The kid was wearing a #40 U.N.C. (University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill) jersey I guess because they were playing that same night in the N.C.A.A. (National College Athletic Association) basketball championship. The Tarheels won that night but lost in the next round. The challenge was to get the kid to mimic Bull’s seven back flips in a row. The gimmick backfired as the little boy stole the show after breaking out with the popular Dougie dance routine.

I decided to leave the game in the fourth quarter -- at the 1:27 minute mark to get a jump on traffic -- with the Globetrotters up 84 to 81 on the Elite, but not before getting a chance to fist bump with Big Easy, the star of the show, which was pretty cool. I am confident, however, that the Harlem Globetrotters hung on to their lead and will be back next year to once again play for the championship of the hearts and souls of their enduring fans – me included -- from the last 86 years.

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