Harlem in NBA?

In 2021, the Harlem Globetrotters sent an open letter to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, suggesting to join the league as a franchise. “Basketball would not be what it is today without us,” wrote the Trotters. “It’s time for the NBA to honor what the Globetrotters have done for our sport, both here in the US and around the globe. When the NBA struggled to draw more than a few thousand fans, we agreed to schedule doubleheaders featuring the Globetrotters. As the NBA grew, you were able to attract the best black players but we remember who helped the NBA get it started.”

Silver ignored what appeared to be a media ploy to draw attention to the Globies, struggling to stay relevant in the game. For the record, it wasn’t the first attempt by Harlem to crash the NBA. In 1950, the Trotters had an official meeting with the NBA but couldn’t get the league to agree to welcome a Harlem franchise.

Unfortunately, today’s Trotters are far from NBA caliber. Last Tuesday’s game with (not against) the patsy squad Washington Generals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum was proof. Since the Generals were formed to play footsies with the Globies in 1952, they’ve won only three games and lost over 17,000. Washington’s last win came in 1971 and the Generals aren’t expected to score a repeat anytime soon.

The Generals led, 38-36, at the end of the first quarter then Harlem went ahead, 62-54, at the half. The Globies were up, 92-83, after three quarters and won, 107-102. There were sporadic four-pointers scored by either side but most of the baskets were uncontested layups, dunks and alley-oop deliveries – shots that don’t require a high level of skill only height and some degree of athleticism.

The Globies who played were 6-3 Sweet Lou Dunbar II of Oklahoma City University, 5-5 Kay (Sunshine) West of Georgetown, 5-7 Rochell (Wham) Middleton of the North American Basketball League, 6-8 Alex (Moose) Weekes of Middle Tennessee State, 5-7 Darnell (Speedy) Artis of Gwynedd Mercy University, 6-2 Carl (Lights Out) Garcia of Miles College, 6-6 Jumpin’ Joe Ballard of Glenville State, 6-4 Malik (Primetime) Moore of USC Upstate, 6-4 Angelo (Spider) Sharpless of Elizabeth City State and 6-3 Zavian (Sky) Jackson of University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The Generals were made up of 6-4 Kooper Glick of Emporia State, 6-7 Eddie Higgins of Farmingdale State, 6-7 Brandon Trotter of William Penn University, 6-7 Will Davis of Gwynedd Mercy University, 6-4 Darius Robinson Wallace of Bloomberg University, 6-2 Tyson Sellers of William Peace University and 6-8 Aquill Baynard of Philander Smith College.

Artis, Garcia and Glick took turns converting fours although they missed many more than they made. Weekes has assumed the role of Clown Prince from Meadowlark Lemon with Artis, Middleton and West showing wizardry with the ball, dribbling while sliding down the floor like the legendary Marques Haynes. The reality is none of the Globies and Generals could compete in the NBA. The Trotters play fun basketball, are good at it but don’t belong in the NBA.