Randomness Week 16

Original Photo by vipnyc. Used under creative commons.

Kurt Schneider, the CEO of the Globetrotters did an interview with Fox News last Wednesday, along with Flight Time and Big Easy. Among the things talked about of interest to Generals fans was the future of their brand building they are doing in China. The thing that might be of most interest to the blog readers however, is that they mentioned the next North American tour begins December 26th. It is an excellent interview and if you want to see it CLICK HERE!

Danville Area Community College will be holding their 20th Annual Women's and Men's Basketball Alimni Games on October 24th. Among the returning players for the men's games are former Washington General J.D. Clampit. For more info on the game CLICK HERE!

A week ago some highlights of the streetball game between Ooh Way vs Team Nike at Sychman Park in New York. The host of the video, and one of the players was former New York National, Corey "Homicide" Williams. To see the videos CLICK HERE! and HERE!

I read that the Chaiftez Arena at Saint Louis University's first ever event back when they opened in 2008 was a game between the Washington Generals and the Globetrotters. If that isn't the best way to christen an arena, I don't know what is. CLICK HERE!

Check out the "breaking news" on the Washington Generals newest opponent. CLICK HERE! And before anyone starts, of course it isn't serious.

And finally here is a video I found from a game earlier in the season. The 3 minute mark in the first quarter happened, but the Globetrotters it seems couldn't get a 4-point shot to save their life, as they missed and missed. And the Generals used the opportunity to start to bridge the very big lead by the Globetrotters. Obviously they weren't able to bridge the gap enough, but I will be honest. Watching the Globetrotters continue to miss 4-pointers as the Generals kept scoring over and over was very entertaining to this Generals fan. The Trotters must have been having a bad night.

Video Game Review: Harlem Globetrotters - NES

For this entry I am going to be reviewing an old Globetrotter video game from 1991 titled simply "The Harlem Globetrotters". Instead of "Generals vs Globetrotters 91" Like I would have called it.

This game was released for the original Nintendo NES way back in the day. So is it a bit of vintage goodness? Well first of all, here are some of the things I liked the most about this game.

It is for one or two players and if playing two player mode you can choose to be opponents or team mates. You also can choose how long each quarter is, making them as short as 1 minute a piece if that's how you roll.

It's true five on five basketball, not two on two, not three on three, and not technically five players but two from each team stay on one side of the court.

The Globetrotters do perform several trick shots, behind the back passes, and a fancy slam dunk could be done by the Globetrotters. They even have the magic circle in the title screen.

I am not sure how you make the trick shots happen, it seemed to be random. You could also do layups as either team if you shot from close inside the basket, and you could also perform a more traditional slam dunk as the Generals. It seemed to happen if you broke away, which was hard to do.

But the thing I like most of all, it allows you to play as either the Harlem Globetrotters or the Washington Generals. Guess which team I chose?

It did have it's down sides however.

The game is insanely hard. Even on "rookie" mode it is incredibly hard to beat the game. I have heard that it is a bit easier to win if you play the Globetrotters. I tried that and maybe it technically was a bit easier, but not by much.

That isn't surprising actually, NES seemed to think that making games insanely hard to beat was how players got their monies worth. I won't argue if they made it too easy it wouldn't be fun. But after 5 games you should not still be losing 146 to 78. Even for a Generals vs Globetrotters game that is crazy.

Stealing the ball from the opposing team requires you to be directly behind the other player and time it just right. So you will almost never pull it off, where as the computer will have no problem stealing the ball from you almost at will. Ironically those flaws almost made the game more realistic since I was playing as the Generals, but I am sure that is not what they were going for.

I also have no idea how fouls work. If you run straight into the opposing player you do get fouled for charging, but in the 5 games I played I only saw a free throw happen once. And I still have no idea what the foul was.

On a final note the color scheme bothered me. For one thing the Globetrotters were purple. I know that the NES had a limited color scheme to work with, but the title screens had the Globetrotters wearing blue. So I am not sure why they had to be purple in the game play.

By the same token, the Generals were white, but the player you controlled actually was green. (the Globetrotters controllable player was yellow).

I don't remember off the top of my head whether the Generals uniforms were predominantly green or gold at the time. But as noted, both of those colors were used for the selectable players. So I am not clear why they felt the Washington Generals uniforms had to be white.

You also could only play as only two teams, the Trotters or the Generals. Kind of understandable given the premise, not like the Globetrotters are part of a league. They seemed to have used some of the space they would have spent making multiple teams to enhance the game play. But even for NES that was a pretty limited options and cut down on the replay value.

So was it worth it? Honestly, as a whole I would have to say no. Even taken into the context of when it was made, the game has a lot of flaws. It also lacks the replayability of other sports games, where once you beat the game there wouldn't be much incentive to play again.

If you have an old NES and were looking for a fun game, I would go with Double Dribble. Definitley a better basketball game for the NES.

Still, it does have some features other NES basketball games lacked. And to date it is the only video game version of the Globetrotters to feature the Washington Generals. Much less allow you to play as them.

So if you have the patience it just may be worth snagging at that flea market. Just don't let anyone convince you this vintage game is worth a "collectible" price.

Best of the Guest Generals: Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho

Tiffany and Maria on
The Amazing Race

Best friends Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho are no strangers to competition, as these girls have both enjoyed successful careers as professional poker players.

In September of 2009, Tiffany and Maria gained mainstream attention when they teamed up on the 15th season of The Amazing Race. As the only all female team of that season Tiffany and Maria showed what poker players already knew, that they were no pushovers. The duo made it to 6th place. 

For anyone who may have made it to this blog without knowing, this was the same season that Harlem Globetrotters "Big Easy" Lofton and "Flight Time" Lang first appeared on the Amazing race. The boys from the Trotters fared slightly better that season, making it to 4th place before being eliminated. 

So it was, the following year in the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The poker capital of the world, that the stage was set for a re-match between the two Amazing Race teams. This time, they would be meeting on the Globetrotters home court. 

The Washington Generals approached Tiffany and Maria about suiting up and playing as guest generals. Who knows why? Maybe they were hoping they learned something about the two trotters on the Amazing Race that would help the Generals break their losing streak. 

Either way, it didn't do the Generals much good. Tiffany and Maria may know hot to bluff, but no amount of bluffing in the world could have convinced the Globetrotters or the crowd in the Orleans arena that these two could play basketball. 

But regardless, the two gave it their best, were good sports as Big Easy and Flight Time gave them their usual brand of ribbing. The two poker pros also became easily two of the cutest Washington Generals ever. 

The duo managed to score three points that night, all of them by Maria as Tiffany seemed to mostly become the teams master of the air ball. Although to Tiffany's credit, she did managed to score at least one layup during warm-ups. 

Regardless, a good time was clearly had by all and at the end of the day the fans went home happy. Which in a Washington Generals game is all that really matters.

But as a Generals fan.... I hope Maria and Tiffany cleaned out Big Easy and Flight Time later at the poker tables. Only fair they took the girls on in their own element, after all.

RELATED LINKS

Harlem Globetrotters Press Release On The Game

Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho Reunite With The Globetrotters

Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho Take On The Globetrotters

Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho Compete Off The Felt Against The Globetrotters

Tiffany's Wikipedia Page 

Maria's Wikipedia Page

Washington Generals Top Players: Bill Campion

The time most Washington Generals players spend on the team is usually only a year or two. It's not surprising, as the life of a Washington General means spending most of your time on the road playing over 200 games a year, sometimes twice a night.

While I am sure the memories they make traveling all over the world are something no one can ever take away from them. That kind of schedule, especially playing a physically demanding sport can wear on even a young kid's body. 

It probably doesn't help that unlike their counterparts in the Globetrotters, the Washington Generals get no glory, very little cheers and do it all for what one can only assume is less money. (I say assume because I have no idea how much a Washington General makes.)

With those factors, it is no wonder that most Washington Generals play for a year or three, make some memories that will last a lifetime, then move on to start the next chapter in their life. Whether it is on the hardwood or elsewhere. 

But some Washington Generals take to the life of being the Globetrotters foils and make a career out of it. Bill Campion is one such player. 

Born in 1952 in the Bronx, Campion first started playing basketball in elementary school playing in Catholic Youth Organisation Leagues. 

But his real career began when he played for Rice High School in the Bronx. During his high-school career Campion received national recognition when he was named All-American. 

He then received the most recognition of his basketball career during his 2 1/2 seasons playing for Manhattan College. During that time he set the school rebounding records for a game with with 30 rebounds, a season with 419 rebounds, and a career with 1,070. All of these records are still standing to this day. 

After his junior season he was given the Haggerty award for the most valuable college player in New York. Campion also received the most valuable player award in the Holiday festival.

After finishing his college career Campion was selected in the fourth round of the 1975 NBA draft by the Milwaukee bucks, he was also chosen that year by the ABA's Virginia Squires.

Unfortunately he didn't end up playing for either team and after graduation Bill signed to play with the Mobilgirgi Varese in Italy. During his rookie season with the Varese, Campion's team won the Euroleage championship. Campion himself scored seven points, five rebounds and two assist. 

After his time with the Varese ended, Campion signed with the Washington Generals getting a spot on the team in the 1977 season. It was a spot he went onto hold for 8 seasons.

I actually remember as a kid watching Bill Campion play. Being on the team so long, he eventually became one of Meadowlark Lemon and later Twiggy Sanders favorite foils. And getting such an integral part while playing year after year, he was the first player on the team that really stuck with me as I would recognise him from previous seasons. 

As such, Campion holds a special place in my heart as a Generals fan. I still remember him taking down Twiggy in a game during the long running riff of having a General knock down the teams showman for comic effect. 

The wear and tear of playing basketball eventually wore on Campion's body and in 1984 he ended his long career with the Washington Generals. Since leaving the team, he has undergone extensive surgery on his knees and ankles. Battle scars for his years against the trotters. 

After leaving the team, Bill began working as a corrections officer. He has since retired after 21 years of employment in the federal system.

Campion's professional career may not have had the attention and recognition of his illustrious college career. But he made the most of it, spending eight years bringing the joy of basketball, comedy and good times to children and families all over the world. 

I hope for Bill Campion, just maybe it was worth the wear and tear he acquired along the way.

RELATED LINKS
 
Bill Campion, Washington General

The Draft Review: Bill Campion

Washington Generals Sign Zach Simpson Of Elmira College

It has recently been announced that Zach Simpson of Elmira College, a small liberal arts college in Elmira, NY, will be the newest graduate to play for the Washington Generals.

Simpson, a 6'8" 230lb ball player graduated from Elmira after four years playing for their Screaming Eagles basketball team. In his final season he led the team in blocked shots and offensive rebounds and was second in scoring with 9.8 points per game and a 47 percent from the field.

Simpson will report to the Washington Generals training camp next month and will be touring in either the upcoming European tour or Asian tour from October through the first half of December.

At the moment the official touring schedule doesn't show an asian tour coming up. It's likley they simply haven't announced the tour dates yet. Although the Washington Generals do have their annual military tour falling during that time period. So it is possible they will be touring bases in Asia as well.

Wherever he plays, this blog wishes Zach the best of luck with the Washington Generals. I have no doubt they will be lucky to have him.

RELATED LINKS

Simpson Signs With Washington Generals

Simpsons Student-Athlete Profile from Elmira College

Elmira College Grad to Play For Washington Generals

Simpson to Play for Washington Generals

Best of the Guest Generals: Alan Sanchez

Most Guest Generals only get one chance to help the Washington Generals finally get that win against the Harlem Globetrotters. Alan Sanchez was the rare Guest General to get two shots at it.

A reporter for the morning show "Good Day Sacramento" airing on CW 31 in Sacramento California, Alan Sanchez apparently had so much fun being heckled by the Globetrotters showmen, he decided to do it not twice but three times.

He first played the Harlem Globetrotters in 2009 at the Arco Arena in Sacremento. The following two games Sanchez was called in for were both at the Stockton arena in Stockton, California.

Clearly by the third game Alan had learned some game. In his latest outing as a Guest General, Sanchez managed to score a three pointer by Special K's challenge. Unfortunately, he then fell flat on his face attempting the next shot. Making him manage to represent both the best and worst moments in a Guest Generals short life.

Who knows if Sanchez will be back to take on the trotters once more next season. Clearly, just like the team he plays for Sanchez doesn't know the meaning of the word die. And in that way it is possible he has never been more at home than on the court donning the green and gold.

RELATED LINKS

AlanSanchez.tv

Globetrotters' Tricks Keep Coming

Myself vs The Harlem Globetrotters

Randomness Week 15

Another short week to report in the Randomness post, as the Washington Generals and Harlem Globetrotters enjoy some well deserved down time.

Jacob Tucker, who as I reported a while back was one of the six draft choices for the Washington Generals, has  been reporting via tweets and elsewhere that he is currently training with the Trotters. This doesn't mean he made the team yet, but of the five draft pics who could play next year (I am not counting McCabe since he obviously won't be going anywhere next season) he has publicly shown the most interest. Looks like Tucker could be about to become the newest thorn in the Generals side.

The moving induction speech for Goose Tatum, given by his son Reece Tatum III, was posted online. To watch it CLICK HERE!

The Travel Channel has announced that the Harlem Globetroters will be appearing on Man vs Food, in an episode airing September 7th at 9PM. CLICK HERE! 


An e-bay seller has put up a copy of the out of print Globetrotter VHS tape "6 Decades of Magic". This is an excellent hour long tape that features highlight of the Trotters throughout their history. Which of course includes a lot of great highlights of the Generals facing the trotters, and I do mean a LOT. If you still have a VHS player this might be worth checking out. Although I will note I don't know anything about the seller so do exercise your own discretion. CLICK HERE!

And finally, below is a slideshow video someone posted of the Generals game against the trotters in Budapest.

T.J. Cline Of Plano West Sr. High In Action

A quick post this time. But Nancy Lieberman's YouTube channel recently posted a video of T.J. Cline in action, playing basketball for Plano West Sr. High School.

T.J. is the son of Nancy Lieberman and Tim Cline, both former Washington Generals who met while playing for the team in the 1987-88 season. As this video shows T.J. is clearly a chip of the old block. Or I guess block's in this case.

With his genes it's no wonder he is tearing up the basketball court, and I am sure any college he ends up playing for will be thrilled to have him.

Who knows, maybe like his parents he will don the Green and Gold one day. Although hopefully he is destined to head straight to the top and play for the NBA. Perhaps even my home team, you listening Thunder?

Washington Generals Top Players: Corey "Homicide" Williams

Copyright © by MR FOOJI.
Used under Creative Commons.

Corey Williams has become a lucrative player in the Australian NBL. But his career has had some of the most interesting twist and turns of any professional basketball player.

Born in 1977 in New York City, Corey first began playing basketball for Rice, one of the top basketball high schools in New York City. Overshadowed by so many great players Cory was not able to get into a basketball college at the D1 level and had to settle for attending Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City.

Much like the Washington Generals however, Cory never gave up. While playing for Penn Valley he was named first team All-American and played in the championship game, although they lost by a mere two points. His hard work paid off though and Cory enrolled his sophomore year at Alabama State. 

A star player for Alabama State, Corey seemed NBA bound. Unfortunately for him, come senior year things took a bad turn, when during that season they faced one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the NCAA. As the team found themselves in a series of losses, the coach opted to go with the younger squad and Corey spent most of his senior year riding the bench, leaving him passed on by the NBA. 

Upon graduation Corey took to the NYC streetball scene where he earned the nickname "Homicide". Corey quickly made a name for himself in the streetball scene during that time. He eventually ended up traveling up and down the east coast selling out gymnasiums as he did. 

In 2003 his playing got him noticed and he was drafted for his first professional job playing for the New York Nationals, the name the Washington Generals were going by at the time. 

Using his time with the team as a launching post, Corey went on to play basketball all over the world. He played for teams in Brazil, France, Venezuela and Germany. Corey also attended NBA training camps and played for the NBA D-League, playing for both the Dakota Wizards and Sioux Falls Skyforce.

But was in 2007 when Corey was signed with the Townsville Crocodilles of the NBL that Corey truly found his place in basketball. 

Since joining the NBL cory has become one of the best point guards in the league. He played for the Corcs from 2007-2010 and during that time he has been selected to the All NBL First Team in both 2009 and 2010  and was named MVP for the NBL in 2010. 

In the 2010-2011 season Corey signed with the four time NBL champions the Melbourne Tigers. During this same season Corey led the league in assist. 

All through this time Corey also never gave up on his streetball days, and can still be seen when not playing on Australia playing in tournements at Rucker Park, and many other courts in New York.

Corey never has realized his dream of playing for the NBA. But through hard work and a never give up attitude he has managed to make his own name for himself in professional basketball. Proving that when you shoot for the moon, even when you miss you will still land among the stars. 

RELATED LINKS

Visiting the NBA with Corey Williams

From the Blacktop to the Hardwood

Corey "Homicide" Williams Article and Interview

Corey Williams on Wikipedia

Why Red Klotz Belongs In The Hall Of Fame

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Photo by rizha ubal. Used under creative commons. 

I mentioned in this weeks Randomness post how Goose Tatum is being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

I want to start off by saying that it's well deserved and long overdue. Tatum was one of the greatest basketball players of his era. Not to mention being the first marque star of the Harlem Globetrotters back when they were the greatest basketball team in the world.

It's  only a shame Tatum isn't alive to see how he is being honored. But I have no doubt he is looking down with appreciation from that big basketball court in the sky.

However, whenever I hear of someone being inducted, especially someone with ties to the Harlem Globetrotters or Washington Generals, it reminds me how sad I am that Red Klotz hasn't yet been inducted.

I know to some this sounds like a bias. That's a fair thing to wonder. After all, I wouldn't have started this blog if I wasn't a huge fan of Klotz.

But I am not alone in my feelings that Klotz should be in the Hall of Fame. Several names in basketball, including former Hall of Famer Chris Ford, have also campaigned several times in the past for Klotz induction.

It is a unique position to argue, I agree. Klots is the owner and former player/coach of a team that holds the largest percentage of losses in all of sports. And there is no doubt in my mind that the Washington Generals will hold that record for a long time to come, if not forever.

So why do I think the man who founded this "bunch of losers" deserves to be in the Hall of Fame? To me the real question is why is he not already in there. Lets look for a minute at the achievements of Klotz.

Red Kotz won an NBA title in 1948 while playing with the Baltimore Bullets. Which he managed to do in his one and only season in the NBA. He was a former owner of the Spha's one of the best teams of their era. He was also the oldest professional basketball player during his time with the generals, and has had the longest career in basketball.

We talk about some of the greats of the Harlem Globetrotters such as Wilt Chamberlain, Goose Tatum, Meadowlark Lemon, Connie Hawkins, Sweetwater Cliffton, and Lou Dunbar. You know what these men have in common? They all played against Red Klots, some of whom even spent their entire basketball career during Klotz reign.

But none of those reasons, as impressive as they are, are the reasons I think Klotz belongs in the Hall of Fame. No, the reason Klotz belongs in the Hall of Fame is because of everything he has done for the sport.

People are quick to point out the the Harlem Globetrotters are the ambassadors of basketball. And that is very accurate, the Globetrotters have introduced the sport of basketball all over the world. But you know who was there for the vast majority of their time helping them do that? Red Klotz.

From the early 50's to the mid 90's Klotz traveled the world along side the Globetrotters. Who knows how many miles he has traveled and how many countries he has visited, never mind how many people he has played in front of. I am betting even he doesn't know.

Klotz may have never been the featured act in the Globetrotters games against the Generals. But he spent a long time helping carry out their mission, of showing the world the great sport that the hall of fame honors. More than anyone I would wager.

Unfortunately, I sometimes fear that the Hall of Fame will never see that. To many people, Klotz is seen as "the guy who coaches the team who always loses." The Globetrotters, the players who once played for him, and his fans know the truth though. That Klotz is anything but.

I hope one day the Hall of Fame will see the same thing. If anyone deserves a spot in there, it's the man who devoted so much of his life to bringing the joy of basketball to the world. Literally.

And I hope unlike Tatum, they don't wait until he has moved on to the next world to do it.

Best of the Guest Generals: Jimbo

K-Cal FM 97.7 is a rock radio station in California around the LA and Orange County area.

Their morning show called "The Morning Stiffy" is hosted by the trio of Stu, Tiffany, and Jimbo. In March of this year, their very own Jimbo was tapped to play for the Washington Generals as the latest Guest General.

His grizzled rock appearance did not match his more clean-cut team mates. It's possible they were hoping that the Harlem Globetrotters would be intimidated by him. Who knows.

Either way Jimbo did not have an outstanding showing. But what he did do on The Morning Stiffy's YouTube channel was show the rigorous training a Guest General must go through to prepare for going one-on-one with a Globetrotter showman.

Of course, watching him prepare... maybe it is obvious why he wasn't able to help break the Generals losing streak.

VISIT KCAL 96.7'S HOMEPAGE

Randomness Week 14

Copyright © by Bob n Renee. Used under creative commons.

On a quick note, I know I am behind. Once more life has kept me from the blog I would rather be doing. I will post the "Best of the Guest Generals" entry for the week later today to catch up. 


An article from the Phillidalphia City Paper archives about Red Klotz was recently posted. CLICK HERE!

Nancy Lieberman was briefly interviewed in an article about the Basketball Hall Of Fame class of 2011. CLICK HERE!

Holy Taco posted a list of the top "25 New Ways Kate Gosselin Can Exploit Her Kids." Number 18 was "Form a basketball team to oppose the Harlem Globetrotters, thus giving the Washington Generals a bit of a break". They really shouldn't give her ideas. To see the whole list CLICK HERE!

Since there isn't much Washington Generals news, and may not be for a bit as the Washington Generals are currently in the off season with the Willwoods games over, here is a short article I found about the Washington Generals 1971 win. It quotes Wade Cook, a reporter who was at the infamous game. CLICK HERE!

Finalle to celebrate Goose Tatum being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Something long overdue, here is a look back at the career of the Washington Generals original nemesis (and I mean that with affection).

Washington Generals Top Players: Med Park

Med Parks 1958 Basketball Card by Topps.

Not many people can say that they both played for the Washington Generals and won an NBA championship. But Medford “Med” Park is one of the rare few who can.

Born on April 11th 1933, Park was raised in Lexington Missouri. His basketball career started taking shape in 1947 when he attended Wentworth Military Academy. His basketball skills earned him a scholarship to the University of Missouri. Where he attended from 1947-1951.

During his time in MU, Park made All American playing basketball for the Missouri Tigers.

Upon graduating Medford joined the Washington Generals for the 1955 season. This was arguably one of, if not the best, assembly of Washington Generals as Park counted among his team mates Herman Schayes, William “Bill Spivey” and Benny Purcell as well as a much younger Red Klotz.

Park only played one season with the Generals before he was signed by the NBA’s St. Louis Hawks as a guard/forward of that same year. Med played with the Hawks for three years from 1955-1958. Winning a league championship in 1958.

After winning the championship Park was traded to the Cincinnati Royals where he played his final two seasons. Ending his basketball career in 1960.

Park was known by many as a perennial bench warmer, averaging 6.1 points per. He never saw much playing time but in a time when there were fewer teams and fewer spots Park managed to have a career in the NBA for 5 years. And was good enough to be part of a championship team to boot.

Park will never make the basketball Hall of Fame for his time with the NBA. But as I always point out, every bench warmer in the NBA was a star player in college. Even if you weren’t the best of the best, the NBA was and still is where the best players played. And for 5 years Med Park, a former Washington General, was one of them.

Nancy Lieberman Once More Breaks New Ground

Last month something big happened in the career of the Washington Generals most famous former player when Nancy Lieberman was named assistant GM of the Texas Legends.

For anyone who might not know (and if so you do NOT follow this blog) Nancy Lieberman is, among other things, the only woman who ever played for the Washington Generals. That is just a small mark on her resume however, as Lieberman has had the most storied career in sports out of anyone to ever don the green and gold.

In her long career Nancy was the youngest woman on the 1976 Women's Olympic basketball team, as well as a member of the 1980 team. Although she didn't play due to the boycott of the games that year.

Nancy has also been a member of the WBL's Dallas Diamonds. She played in the USBL, a mens basketball league, for two seasons and then became the only women player on the Washington Generals.

She was the oldest player in the WNBA at 39 when she played for the Phoenix Mercury. At 50 she broke her own record, when she signed a seven day contract with the Detroit Shock. Whom she also coached in 1998.

In 2009 Lieberman became the first women to coach an NBA team when she became a coach for the Texas Legend of the NBA's D-League.

Always one to break new ground, a new chapter in Nancy Lieberman's life is about to take shape. As Nancy has been made the new Assistant GM of the Texas Legends.

It's a position she has told reporters she moved to due to her son T.J. Cline (the son of Nancy and her ex-husband Tim Cline, also a former Washington General.) beginning his senior year in basketball at Plano West. Like any proud mother Nancy wanted to be able to attend the games, hence the new position.

We at this blog wish Lieberman the best in this new step of her amazing career.

Lieberman has said she hasn't ruled out returning to coaching in the future. I have often wondered if Lieberman wouldn't become the first coach in the NBA major league's level.

Maybe that isn't in the cards, that day is probably still many years away as it takes time for people in charge of something like the NBA to realize when convention is holding them back. But one day a woman will coach an NBA team and when it does it will be front runners like Lieberman who will be looked back on.

RELATED LINKS

Washington Generals Top Players: Nancy Lieberman

Nancy Lieberman's Home Page

The unlikely story of Nancy Lieberman continues—next stop: Assistant GM of the Texas Legends

Randomness Week 13

The Washington Generals team of 1989

I know that I am very, very late with this weeks Randomness. I apologize. I won't bore you guys with excuses. Try to remember I run this blog as a hobby, not for a living. That being said, I will do my best not to be late like this again. 

Here is a blog entry I found from someone recalling a Washington Generals game. CLICK HERE!

A blog called Borderline Funny did a funny post speculating what the pre-questionare might be for becoming a Washington General. CLICK HERE!

The Harlem Globetrotters made a $2,000 donation to benefit Crown Point's youth sports programs. The donation was based on the attendence for the Globetrotters game against the Washington Generals last Jaurary at Crown Point High. To read more CLICK HERE!

Jacob Tucker tweeted that he is training with the Globetrotters. Of all the draft picks he seems to be the one showing the most interest in being drafted. Looks like he may be tormenting the Generals next season. Not good news for them.

Here are a couple more articles on the Washington Generals game in Willwoods. CLICK HERE! and CLICK HERE!

Bronx World Travelers - Another Washington Generals Parody

A couple weeks ago I posted about a Washington Generals parody from Funny or Die called "The New Coach".

But it is not the first parody film of the Washington Generals to hit the internet. A couple years ago. Ben Schwartz posted a parody on his YouTube channel called "The Bronx World Travelers".

Ben is a writer/actor/comedian who currently plays Jean-Ralphio on "Parks and Recreaton". But before that he was a freelance writer for David Letterman, and The Weekend Update skits on Saturday Night Live.

He originally started his YouTube channel to share the jokes that did not make it on Letterman and SNL. But since then he has done several projects. The most ambitious is probably his series "The Bronx World Travelers."

The web mini-series tells the story of the rivalry between the the World Travelers (a parody of the Globetrotters) and their arch rivals the Washington Colonels (a parody of guess who?). Despite the name however, the focus is on the Colonels and their frustrating existence of always being the butt of the Travelers taunting.

Unlike "The New Coach" the World Travelers series is much more adult in nature with,m some profanity and South Park style crude humor. As such I decided not to embed the videos in this post, since I try to keep this blog family friendly. I mean, this is a Globetrotter related page after all.

Still, I wanted to share it with all my fellow Generals fans. So below is a link to each episode, along with a short description.

I will be honest, I liked "The New Coach" better. Both because it was funnier and family friendly. I am not against adult humor at all. I just finds part of the magic about a Generals/Trotters game is that it is a rare evening of "G" rated fun. So seeing the teams, even in a parody, cuss and be gross just always feels a bit off.

But if that kind of humor is your thing, and it is with a lot of people, you should check these videos out. They will make you laugh.

Episode 1 - Press Conference:  The Washington Colonels' coach sits down for a press conference after his team loses their 125th game in a row. (The Washington Generals wish they only lost that many games between wins.)

Episode 2 - Orientation Video: Down by fifty at half time, the Washington Colonels air out their frustrations in the lockerroom. While venting, they are reminded of the orientation video they were forced to watch on day one. 

Episode 3 - The Game: A member of the Washington Colonels reaches his tipping point in the crucial minutes of a game.
 
Episode 4 - Street Legend: After pantsing a member of the Bronx World Travelers, the star of the Washington Colonels hits the blacktop and gets coached by a wheelchair bound Street Legend.
 
Episode 5 - Let's Play: With coach rolling by his side, the Washington Colonels' hot shot plays the one on one game to end all one on one games.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT REJECTED JOKES WEBSITE

Best of the Guest Generals: Suzanne Broughton

I haven't done a female Guest General since my first post in this series. So this week I am taking a look at Suzanne Braughton.

Braughton is a blogger and reporter for OC Family. Which is a magazine, website, and public access cable show in Orange County aimed at looking at family living.

On February of the current tour, Suzanne was recruited to play as a Guest General. She played in their second game of a double header against the Trotters, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

This likely came as a big surprise to Broughton, as she apparently knew nothing about basketball. Although I will say, it looked like she landed a good layup during the warm ups. Thankfully, Special K and Washington General Daniel Brady were there to give her some quick lessons.

Broughton failed at the 4-point shot, shooting a major air ball. She also seemed to not make her second shot until the trotters brought her close to the basket. But still, for a petite girl who clearly never played basketball she didn't do too bad.

She is included, like so many other Guest Generals, not for her playing ability but for her video covering her game. It looks like it was originally part of their cable show. As a result it looks much more polished then most Guest General videos.

She also had a fun interview with Washington General, Daniel Brady. And as anyone who has read my past "Guest General" entries will tell you, I am partial to Guest Generals who give our boys some good face time they are usually denied.

On a final note, I have to think that with the Washington Generals and Special K, dealing with so many male radio and TV types; someone as pleasant and easy on the eyes as Suzanne Broughton has got to be a breath of fresh air for them.

Here is her video below

Related Links

Suzanne's Blog Entry on playing for the Generals

Suzanne's Bio on OC Family

Washington Generals Top Players: Orbie Bowling

Photo by Greg Campbell

Orbie "Orb" Bowling is a giant of a man with a giant personality.

Born in 1939 and a native of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, Orbie is known for his love of basketball as well as his practical jokes. In fact, his nickname "Cheif" came from a childhood Halloween prank he pulled as a kid. Where he and a cousin dressed up like Indians and rode two horses into town.

Orbie first started playing basketball while attending High School at Sandy Hook High School. At 6'5" was the biggest player in all of Kentucky High School in 1959.

After graduating High School, Orbie was offered a scholarship to the University of Tennessee. Although Bowling has stated in interviews he would rather have been out pulling pranks than studying.

Bowling played for Tennessee from 1961-1963. His playing caught the NBA's attention and after graduation Orb was selected by the New York Knicks as the 78th draft pick.

With the NBA only having 9 teams at the time competition was fierce. Despite his best efforts in a very competitive environment, Orbie was deemed "not NBA material" and was cut.

But Bowling made lemonade out of that bad luck, and joined the Washington Generals for their 1963-1964 tour. It was a tour that included the famous game in a bull ring and playing in front of the Queen of England.

After finishing his tour with the Washington Generals, Orbie was offered a spot on the fledgling American Basketball Association (ABA) playing for the Kentucky Colonels. Bowling played in 11 games, but the Colonels ended up with a win-loss record only slightly better than the Generals and Bowling decided it was time to move on from professional basketball.

Bowling joined the securities business and eventually married and had two kids. But like most people who love basketball enough to play professionally however, Bowling's love of the game never left him.

He still regularly plays in pick up games, and has been a member of nearly every recreation, church, and YMCA league in the Tennessee area where he currently resides. He can still be seen playing pick up games to this day despite being in his 70's.

Orbie Bowling may not have been able to make the NBA, or find a long career as a professional basketball player. But with his love of the game and his love for life, he came out a winner after all.

Related Links

Tall Tales of "Big Chief" Bowling

City of Hoops

Weekly Playing Schedule For The Week Of 8/07/11-8/13/11

Photo by SK5893
Used under Creative Commons.

Next week marks the Washington Generals four game series against the Globetrotters in Wildwood, NJ. This is the first game the Washington Generals have played in the US since I started this blog. So I am kind of excited, even if I won't be there as Oklahoma is a LONG ways from New Jersey.

As far as has been currently reported, this will be the last Game the Washington Generals will play until their tour in France starting in November. It may very well be their last games in the states before the 2012 tour. So if you are in the Wildwood area be sure to go down and support the Washington Generals.

It is almost certain they will lose all 4 games. But it is absolutely certain a good time will still be had by all.

The schedule is as follows...

8/10/11 - At the Wildwoods Convention Center in Wildwood, NJ at 7:00PM
8/11/11 - At the Wildwoods Convention Center in Wildwood, NJ at 7:00PM
8/12/11 - At the Wildwoods Convention Center in Wildwood, NJ at 7:00PM
8/13/11 - At the Wildwoods Convention Center in Wildwood, NJ at 7:00PM

Randomness Week 12

Copyright © by Sheree K.
Used under creative commons.

Sport Seekers did a brief article on the Harlem Globetrotters games against the Generals posting alongside a video from Cheap Family Travel that included some nice game footage. CLICK HERE!

The Washington Generals got an entry on AmIAnnoying.com. Everyone go there and be sure to vote "Not" CLICK HERE!

Since it is slow in General land I wanted to mention that the Harlem Globetrotters homepage has a story about Trotters Buckets Blake and Cheese Chisholm visiting the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. CLICK HERE!

"How Stuff Works" did a short story on Nancy Lieberman. CLICK HERE!

I came across an interview with Neil Pollack, author of the book "Jewball" a historical fiction book inspired by the Phillidalphia SPHA's. Which as some of you reading this blog know, is the team that eventually became the Washington Generals. To read the interview CLICK HERE!

I have been asked before if I know where to buy Washington Generals T-Shirts. Oh but I wish tat they were as easy to get as Globetrotter T-Shirts. If, however, you are someone who can squeeze into a small or medium t-shirt E-Bay has a couple on sale HERE and HERE. I want to state I am not familiar with these e-bay sellers so buy at your own discretion. Incidentally I LOVE the design for the medium. I wish I was smaller, I so want it.

An Ode To The Pantsing

It's that time again. And this time I pay an ode to the most popular, but unlikely, ream to pay tribute to. The Globetrotters pantsing the Washington Generals.

For anyone who doesn't know, here is a quick rundown. Although I tend to wonder if you aren't familiar with this particular brand of Globetrotter mischief, what on earth are you doing here?

The ream starts when the Globetrotters foul a Washington General, usually in some kind of comical manner. After that, the hapless General will go to the foul line to take his shot. A Globetrotter will then "sneak up" on the player, an ironic thing since they are out in the open in a basketball court. So how would they sneak up on anyone?

The Trotter will then... well... pull the Generals pants down. The victim will get embarrassed and flail around before tripping and eventually pulling his pants back up.

After that the players team mates will tell the victim which trotter did it. Shame they apparently saw the whole thing and didn't try to stop it or anything. So much for having your team mates back!

Setting out for revenge the Washington General will go up to the offending Trotter, who is too busy laughing at his own prank to notice the General is coming after him. And the Globetrotter will then have his own pants pulled down.

The trotter will then be caught wearing a very embarrassing pair of underwear (i.e. pink ones, one with hearts, etc.) which is the final punchline of the bit.

Indecently, the Trotters never get a Technical called on them. I mean seriously, the referee's have been in the Generals pocket all season. But they don't even send a Globetrotter to the penalty box for this? I hope Reggie and Sam aren't paying top dollar to buy off the referee's.

Usually it is the showman who pulls the Generals pants down, although they have been known to occasionally have someone else do it. Likewise, it is usually the team captain of the Washington Generals who is on the receiving end of the Trotters prak, (talk about taking one for the team) but reportedly every General has to do this at some point in their tour.

So why would I pay tribute to the Generals being humiliated?

Well, for one thing the ream is somewhat misunderstood. As noted above, the Washington Generals get the last laugh out of this exchange. One of the few times they ever actually do have the last laugh.

The other reason is that aside from it being one of the most well known bits from a Globetrotter game, in a lot of ways it exemplifies what the Generals do best.

And no, I don't mean get their pants pulled down. Anyone can have their pants pulled down. What it does exemplify is their fearlessness to be the butt of a Globetrotter joke in the interest of making the fans laugh.

That, more than anything, is why the Washington Generals will always be such a pivotal part of a Globetrotter game.

It also shows that the Washington Generals listened to their mother. You will never catch them on the court without clean underwear.

Best of the Guest Generals: Jason Fechner

An anchorman for WQAD (an ABC affiliate in Moline, IL), Jason Fechner came from a family full of high school basketball stars. However, basketball turned out to not be Fechner's sport.

All in Januray of 2010, Jason got his chance to shine when he was tapped to join the Washington General as their latest Guest General to go up against the Globetrotters.

Fechner may not have helped the Washington Generals get a victory against Harlem. But he managed to score 4 points for the boys in Green and Gold, including making the 3-point shot that Special K always taunts the Guest Generals into making. Too bad for Special K, that time it went in.

Either Jason or the Network were proud of Fechner's oppertunity to play for the Generals as they gave the game, and his part in it a LOT of coverage.

No less that 6 videos went on YouTube and their website dedicated to Jason's short time with the Washington Generals. And while it is possible they are playing it up for TV, Jason in his interviews sounds like playing with the Washington Generals truly did make him leave with a one of a kind memory.

Usually it is the Globetrotters who make memories, but sometimes even the little guys can give someone their moment.

Below are the MANY videos from his YouTube channel of Jason preparing for the game, playing the game and his thoughts afterwards.