Lets Not Forget The Washington Generals Contributions To Support The Troops

Photo courtest of the U.S. Air Force.

In a recent interview with CNN the Harlem Globetrotters saluted our troops, as well as got accolades for all the great things they have done for the troops. Most notably, the 25 military bases they have visited in the last seven years.

I take nothing away from what the Globetrotters have done for our boys and girls in uniform. I can think of nothing more honorable for entertainers, be them athletes, singers, actors or any other than to perform for our boys overseas. Especially in the rough times our country has faced in recent years.

But like with most of the Globetrotters accomplishments since 1953, the Trotters never could have done it without their long time opponents and partners the Washington Generals. It was with their help that the Globetrotters were able to give our soldiers and families the escape they most definitely needed.

Since starting this blog I have read a LOT of interviews with Washington Generals players, both past and present. And when asked the common question about their best memory with the team, the most common answer is performing for our troops.

During their time on the road the Washington Generals will perform in the greatest NBA courts in the country, and some of the richest and most luxurious vacation destinations. Considering the less than desirable places they have gone to put on the show for our boys and girls in uniform, such as the Persian Gulf and Iraq all during war time, it says a lot for how much these stops mean to the Generals that so many of them hold those stops closest to their heart.

So as we near celebrating our Independence I just wanted to give credit to the Washington Generals for their role in helping and supporting the men and women who help us keep the freedom we enjoy so much.

A Video Showing A Glimpse Of Life On The Road With The Generals And Globetrotters

I came across the most awesome video and had to share it with you guys.

It was made by former photo director for the Harlem Globetrotters, Benjamin Hager. Ii is photos he took from his time with the team. They are mostly though his iphone and blackberry.

The majority of the photos are obviously of the Globetrotters but there are some great photos of the Washington Generals also among them as well as some great glimpses behind the scene.

It is a fun glimpse at life on the road with the Harlem Globetrotters, and is excellently edited and put together as well. I think everyone will enjoy watching it. I know I sure did.

Two Years with the Harlem Globetrotters from Benjamin Hager on Vimeo.

CLICK HERE FOR BENJAMIN'S HOME PAGE!

Best of the Guest Generals: Zach Kerker

Zach Kerker from Springlfiel, Il has worn many hats as a broadcast sports journalist. The Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville graduate currently is the host of the radio show "Behind the Headlines" on Sports Radio 1450.

But last year on January 10th of 2010, when Zach was still a sports reporter for WCIS-TV, he was tapped to become the latest broadcaster to play as a Guest General at a game in Springfield.

I looked and was not able to find any account of the game itself. I would guess that like most of the Guest Generals, it was not a spectacular display of basketball prowess. I would also assume he took more than a little ribbing from Special K that night. Call it a hunch.

The reason he is getting mention here is that while most broadcasters mention their playing on the air before or after the game, sometimes both, WCIS got more creative. They took Zach's Guest General status and filmed a clever, and in my opinion funny, commercial to hype the game.

I don't know how well it was received in Springfield, but there are more than a few local personalities out here in Oklahoma City I would love to see beaned in the head with a basketball.

Zach showed a willingness to laugh at himself, and be the butt of a joke to help sell the Globetrotters. Proving that he has the heart of a General, and thus was a good pick to help represent them for the night.

Harlem Globetrotter Commercial from Armone Benson on Vimeo.

The Washington Generals, Gracious Losers or Dirty Cheaters?

In 2007 Kurt Schneider, former executive vice president of marketing for WWE, became the CEO of the Harlem Globetrotters.

Copyright © by Penn State. Used under Creative Commons.

Kurt made some radical changes. Ones that, like them or not, have helped the Washington Generals/Harlem Globetrotters games resurgence.

His biggest move, and the one he may well be most remembered in the franchises legacy, was bring back the Washington Generals.

In 1995 the controversial decision was made by then Globetrotters owner Mannie Jackson to have Klotz "retire" the Washington Generals and re-brand them the New York Nationals. To long time fans of both teams, this marked the end of an era.

The Washington Generals had been the Globetrotters opponents since 1953 and become an icon in their own right.

Despite some fans crying foul, Jackson stood his ground and for a while it looked like the Green and Gold was gone forever. But in 2007, Schneider took over and righted what many saw as a huge wrong by asking Klotz and company to bring back the Washington Generals.

It seemed that once more all was right with the world. But it turned out that while the Generals were indeed back, something had changed about them.

As noted above, Schneider was once part of the WWE and despite his clear love for the "purity" of the Washington Generals feud with the Globetrotters, some of his previous employers influence was clearly there.

Klotz had long aspired the Generals legacy would be that of good sports. But since returning the Generals were now less than honorable at times.

It begins when the Generals first come out on the court and their coach, be it Reggie Harrison or Sam Worthen, immediately insult the home town of where they are playing. It's a classic ploy by wrestling bad guys to "generate heat" and it works just as well with the Globetrotters.

The other noticeable thing is that the Washington Generals have developed a habit of cheating. Since coming back the Generals have attempted tricks such as having their coach hypnotize the Globetrotters, utilizing a remote control ball, putting a clear plastic cover over the hoop, and most recently getting in bed with the referee to put the Trotters in the penalty box.

Copyright © by Dunur Blum. Used under creative commons.

All of these efforts ultimately proven futile. Despite these creative attempts to turn their luck around, Harrison and Worthen have thus far failed to capture the elusive win.

So is this new direction with the Washington Generals a good idea? Ultimately time will be the judge.

The reason that has been given for this change in the Washington Generals personality, is that it is used to create suspense in a sport where there is none.

In some ways that is a fair argument. While the Generals fan in me still holds out hope that the Washington Generals will shock the world at least once more within my lifetime, the reality is that fans in attendance know who is going to win. And that it won't be the team in Green and Gold.

There is also the argument that having the Generals not "play fair" helps keeps them in their unique position as the unlovable underdogs. Them losing to the Trotters is one thing, but them losing after they cheated means they got what they deserved, rather then lost a fair fight.

Arguably, it might prove to be a good idea. While it is unclear how much that particular decision has affected it, the truth is that the Washington Generals games against the Globetrotters are more popular and successful than they ever were when the New York Nationals took on the boys from Harlem.

Whether this "updated" take on the Washington Generals will stick is something only time will reveal. But one thing that is clear, Schneider clearly recognizes the importance of the Washington Generals. That is that the Washington Generals are the iconic foils to the Harlem Globetrotters.

Whether they are playing fair, or borrowing a page from Wile E. Coyote's book of tricks, the fact that the man in charge realizes the importance of the Washington Generals gives this fan great hope for the teams future.

Top 5 Reasons The Washington Generals Might Not Have A Mascot

Original photo Copyright ©  by Aluzano.
Used under creative commons. 

Many people have wondered over the years why the Washington Generals don't have a mascot.

It's a logical question seeing as how the Harlem Globetrotters have a whole army of mascots. There is Globie, Globie Jr., Big G, Little G, Super G and Yo! What Up G? (It's possible I made that last one up).

Yet the Generals have yet to have a single mascot. While only the Washington Generals could tell you the true reason for this, I thought I would speculate on some reasons out favorite team has yet to have a mascot.

5.) What would it be? A goat would eat the basketball's and a midget basketball player would be politically incorrect.
 
4.) Big G would give it a wedgie.
 
3.) Some of the Washington Generals are allergic to foam.
 
2.) Red Klotz had a traumatic experience with the San Diego Chicken... he doesn't like to talk about it.
 
And the #1 reason the Washington Generals may not have a mascot?

1.) LITTLE G WILL EAT IT!

The Newest Referee For The Washington Generals

I was searching around and found this interview with the newest referee for the Washington Generals games, Kevin Baker.

Baker is a 15 year coach of high school basketball in Minnesota who recently got the call to referee the Washington Generals games against the Globetrotters.

Kevin hit the road touring during the last week of their last run in the US, and is scheduled to start full time refereeing the games in October.

We at this blog wish Kevin Baker good luck, and here is hoping the Washington Generals coaching staff can form another one of the "professional" bonds they are so well known for having with the officials this current tour.

Untitled from michael much on Vimeo.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON KEVIN BAKER!