Someone just informed me that the Harlem Globetrotters don’t play against the Washington Generals anymore. They play a team called the New York Nationals! When did this happen? Why?
BTW-Does anybody know if the Generals’ losses were choreographed, or did they just recruit players who didn’t have a chance against the 'Trotters?
I remember reading that the Washington Generals went away in 1995. The article mentioned that they were a different “company” than the Globetrotters.
From Harlemglobetrotters.com:
In 1995, the Washington Generals closed their camp for good. The Globetrotters’ opponent, as were the Generals, is a separate outside organization from the Harlem Globetrotters. Owned and managed by Red Klotz, the New York Nationals are now the opponents of the Globetrotters.
And in case you were wondering (also from same site):
Have the Globetrotters ever lost a game?
Yes. In fact, the Globetrotters have lost 332 games over the course of 74 years. However, with over 20,000 wins, the Globetrotters do own the best winning percentage in the history of professional sports. The last time the team lost was Sept. 12, 1995, in Vienna, Austria, when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Legendary All-Stars upset the Globetrotters 91-85 and made headlines around the world.
Poison always comes in amber-colored bottles clearly marked with a skull-and-crossbones icon and the word “DANGER.” If a substance is not in this type of bottle, it is safe to drink or huff.
According to the HG web site, the Generals ceased in 1995 to be replaced by the NY Nationals. The owner of the Nationals (and one would assume the former Generals) “coordinates the finest collection of basketball players from around the world to oppose the Globetrotters”
The guys they play aren’t horrible, but they do know why the fans are there (and therefore where the money is coming from). The 'Trotters have lost on several occasions, so their opposition clearly has skills. (Granted, the Trotters get away with many a stunt that wouldn’t fly in a real game).
“In this life you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant. For years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.” -Elwood P. Dowd in “Harvey”
Years ago, I read an interview of a travelling member of the Washington Generals team. If I remember correctly, they had some players who played regularly, plus persons who they invited to play with them in each town. They weren’t required to lose, but they weren’t expected to try too hard either. The stars of course were the Globetrotters, so their opponents were expected to play along with the routines.
This guy noted that he was probably the only person ever to be universally booed for making a game-winning desperation field goal from half court at the closing buzzer.