Everybody is always talking about the NBA. All of the things that you see the NBA players do like passing, dunking, and dribbling started with the Harlem Globetrotters. These players knew how to do it all and more. They were full of tricks and fancy moves. The NBA players like Michael Jordan, Stackhouse, and Vince Carter are nothing like those unbelievable trotters.
Lets go back in history and talk about the legends. I have two favorite Globetrotter Legends. One of them was Reece Goose Tatum . He was a natural in basketball. Goose had long arms and big hands. He studied clowns for new ideas at the circus. It is said that he was one of the best showmen in team history. Goose knew a lot about clowning. According to history, he was also a baseball player clowning around on the field for the crowds. Goose brought all of his talent and skills to basketball when he joined the Globetrotters. He also had a hook shot. Goose was not just a basketball player, but an entertainer. The Globetrotters were able to include everything that they knew. To me, they were better than the NBA.
Another Legend is Marques Haynes. He could do things that I have not seen the NBA players do. It took a whole team to guard Marques while the players on his team rested. I have seen him on an old film dribbling the ball and carrying an umbrella in the other hand. Marques could slide across the floor on both knees while he dribbled. He could also dribble on one knee or on two knees at a time. Marques could bounce it between the players legs. I have seen him dribbling extremely fast on the old black and white films. I can not tell you how many times a second he was dribbling.
These two legends are just two special ones of the Harlem Globetrotters that I have seen. These two legends were before my time, and it was a pleasure to see them on video.
There are many more legends of the team. Some of them have retired. The one that I remember most when I was growing up is Curly Neal. He is another great all time dribbler and legend. The legends are the greatest basketball players in history.
