Rondomness Week 8

Copyright © by CB Images. All Rights Reserved.
Used with permission.

I mentioned earlier about the Washington Generals signing of Ryan Gunderson. You can find more info on his signing by CLICKING HERE!

I just discovered that former Washington General Chris Poore has recently been named head coach as Scott High School in Huntsville, TN. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY!

Check out this photo of Reese "Goose" Tatum taking on the Washington Generals all the way back in 1953. CLICK HERE!

YouTube user guevoso posted some videos of the game in Montevideo although it was all the half time and pre-game going ons. Indecently, Big G must have had someone else inside the suit for that game. His halftime dance was toned down. He didn't spin around on one hand or bounce on his head. Although he still got knocked down but got up again, because Montevideo ant never gonna keep him down. You can view the clips HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE!

The Piano Guys, whatever that is, outscored the Harlem Globetrotters in the recent "most up and coming YouTube channel". I don't know much about them but I will be blindly loyal and say the Trotters were robbed. But at least it didn't go to another Shane Dawson wannabe. Maybe YouTube is slowly gaining some class.

"Red" Klotz got a mention in an article spotlighting the shortest players in the NBA. Another former General,  Charlie Criss, seems to have just missed the mark. CLICK HERE!

The U.S. Army's home page posted a copy from an article back in December chronicling the Washington Generals and Harlem Globetrotters game out in Germany in support of our troops. CLICK HERE!

Ever want to be an intern with the Harlem Globetrotters corporate office? If so they are accepting applications. CLICK HERE!

A website called "Renew America" wrote an article last year stating Bill O'Riley was President O'Bama's Red Klots, not his formidable foe. Normally any article that potentially controversial I would not touch, beacause I didn't make this page to be controversial. But agree with it or not I thought that was a nice variation on the tired "So-and-so is the Washington Generals of such-and-such". CLICK HERE TO READ IT!

And in closing I found the video below featuring Globetrotter "Buckets" Blake that I am including beacause it is actually really funny. I am guessing they hired this guy to promote the Globetrotters basketball, not an unusual thing for companies to do with YouTube stars these days. Although when I first found the video it only had 21 hits in the first couple weeks. Can't help but think if that's the case they paid for more hits than that.

Washington Generals Most Unusual Venus: On The Roof Of The Wachovia Spectrum

Photo by Joenad. Used under the GNU Free Documentation Lisence. 

Although I unofficially started this series with my post about the Washington Generals first ever game on ice, I am now officially starting a new series of post with this blog.

Over the years that the Washington Generals have played against the Harlem Globetrotters, they have payed in some of the most unusual venues. While they are probably most commonly known to play the Trotters in some of the most famous NBA and College arenas in the US, they have shown that wherever you can bounce a basketball and set up two nets, they are there.

So in the interest of that, I thought I would begin spotlighting some of their most unusual places that the Generals have ever played the Globetrotters in.

For this installment we remember a game at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Originally opened in the fall of 1967, the Spectrum was the home to the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL and the 76ers of the NBA. It was also a frequent venue for the Washington Generals.  

The Generals first played in the Spectrum on December 2, 1967 in a game against the Globetrotters. The Washington Generals continued to play the Trotters at the spectrum every year after that, playing 72 games at the historic complex. Their last game was in 1997, after which they moved their games to the nearby Wachovia Center. 

In 2009 it was announced that the Wachovia Spectrum would be demolished. Wanting to pay tribute to the arena that had welcomed both teams for so long, the Washignton Generals and Harlem Globetrotters scheduled one final game at the Spectrum.

But this game would not be played inside the arena. For this farewell event at the spectrum, Americas eternal visiting team took on the Harlem Globetrotters on the roof of the historic arena. Cranes lifted the basketball hoops onto the roof of the building, as a basketball court was drawn out and players scaled the catwalks to climb up on the roof.

Both teams played in their dress uniforms, to provide some protection from the winter weather. Which was made even colder by being so high up off the ground. 

The game lasted for only 19 minutes and 67 seconds, in dedication to the Spectrum first opening in 1967. All of the familiar tricks were there, or at least as many as they could squeeze into such a short period of time, but there was no audience except for some select media. 

Children were allowed to watch the game at the Wachovia Center across the street, however . Binoculars were made available and I am sure the magic of seeing the Generals take on the Trotters was not lost on them, even from so far away. 

The Generals payed a game the following day in the Wachovia Center, where it was warm and seats were plentiful. Both teams have called the Center their regular stop since then as they had since 1997. But once more they showed that on the roof or in the arena, there is nowhere that the Washington Generals and Harlem Globetrotters won't bring their magic. 

4 Devices The Washington Generals Coaches Should Add To Their Arsenal. (Humor)

Photo by Dinur Blum. Used under Creative Commons.

As I reported in a past post, the Washington Generals have adopted some recent tactics that might have more in common with Wile E. Coyote than traditional basketball play.

Still, it has proven somewhat effective as their new tricks do manage to gain points, just clearly not enough. So in the interest of helping coaches Reggie Harrison and Sam Worthen, I took the time to flip through the ACME catalog and see if I could find some gadgets that might prove more effective than the plastic hoop, hypnotic umbrella, and remote controlled ball.

Here are 4 devices I think would be prefect for "General" use. See what I did there?

Moving on...

THE NET BALL - This ball comes equipped with a plain black remote with a single button. Press this button when the Globetrotters go for one of their fancy trick shots and a net will pop out. Grounding that show off and giving the Generals time to grab the ball for a layup and 2 points.

THE DYNAMITE BALL - The idea behind this ball is simple. It has a hallow spot for inserting a stick of Dynamite into this basketball. You then light it, pass it to the Globetrotters, and boom goes the dynamite. Don't worry about their safety, I consulted with a Mr. Fudd, author of the book "Hunting Wabbits" and he assured me that once ignited it will only cover you in soot and stick your hair straight up.

Just be careful that in the game of hot potato that will follow, should the trotters see the Dynamite, that a General doesn't hold the ball when the fuse runs out. Or else the laundry bill will be a killer.

A SAFE WITH A LEVER AND PULLY - This Steel safe is fully equipped to load on top of any arena ceiling  Simply place it over the basketball net and drop it on a Trotter as they go for a slam dunk. Just be sure not to open it once it hits the ground, targets have an ability to walk out of the safe unscathed when this act is performed.
 
THE SPRING LOADED 4-POINT CIRCLE - This circle can be replaced with one of the regulation 4-point circles. That shouldn't be hard to do considering Worthen and Harrison's current relationships with the officials.

Then  once "Ant" Atkinson or 4-point master "Dizzy" Grant goes for a 4-point shot it will launch them into the stratosphere, possibly leaving a Globetrotter shaped hole in the ceiling of the building. Then they can use this oppetunity to retrieve the helium filled beach ball they tricked the Generals into using for a free throw. 

Just one word of advice... if it doesn't work when you want it to, DO NOT jump up and down on it yourself to try and get it to work. That will only make it launch YOU into the stratosphere. Although a handy sign with the word "Mother!" is provided to keep in your pocket for the trip back down in just such an emergency.

I am confident with these tools added to their arsenal it would only be a matter of time before the Washington Generals finally scored their elusive 7th win. 

Best of the Guest Generals: Rob Powers

Photo Courtesy of Rob Powers.

During 2010 Rob Powers, a DJ on the morning show with 107.1 KISS FM in Sioux City, IA was tapped as the latest Guest General.

Rob's stint started like any other Guest General as he missed his first show but managed to make his second basket attempt. All of this was while enduring the usual ribbing from Big Easy.

But then Big Easy did his usual bit of the time of challenging Rob to take the ball and shoot a basket. Rob took the ball and went for a show as Big Easy easy bumped into him and fouled him, which is the usual routine.

But then Rob did something beyond awesome, he made the basket scoring what may be the first and one. It was clear that earned him the respect of his team mates on that night. It also clearly mucked up Big Easy's usual routine, which just like with Michaela Johnson, I always love it when the Guest Generals outwit the Trotters' attempts to set them up for a gag.

Despite the fact that by basketball rules he should have only been allowed one free throw, which he missed, he was given a second attempt. As usual the Washington Generals and Trotter games are loose with the rules, plus the Guest Generals routine relies on them getting two shots. Or it did at the time, although they seem to have done away with having the Guest Generals end their game time with free throws this season.

Rob only scored 4 points for the Generals, although that is 4 more then some have scored, but for being possibly the first Guest General to score an and one, and for messing up Big Easy, he has my respect.

ROB'S BLOG ON KISS 107.1

Ryan Gunderson, Newest Washington General, Will Be Joining The China Tour.

I reported recently about the Washington Generals singing of Adam Powell for the tour in China, which begins next week on the 6th of July. It turns out Adam won't be the only new Washington General taking on the Harlem Globetrotters for that tour in the far east.

The Washington Generals have also signed Ryan Gunderson. Ryan is a graduate of the University of St. Francis. He started out his first two years at St. Francis playing football before switching over to basketball for his final two years. In the year since his graduation Ryan has been playing basketball for the Kankakee County Soldiers of the International Basketball League.

At St. Francis, Ryan averaged 6.9 points per game and a 38 percent 3-point shooting, with 48 percent his junior year. Hopefully that ability to score from far away will benefit the Generals in making some vital 4-point shots.

Ryan told MyWebTimes that he is hoping that the tour in China will open  up doors for him to play professionally overseas. He also sees it as an opportunity to build contacts for other non-basketball related job. Clearly Gunderson sees the advantages being a general go beyond simply "losing to the Globetrotters".

I wish Ryan the best on the China tour and hope his time out there provides him with the best of oppertunities, be them with the Washington Generals or elsewhere.

Related links

RYAN'S INTERVIEW WITH MYWEBTIMES!

RYAN'S IBL STATISTICS!

Washington Generals Top Players: Charlie Criss

Charlie Criss' basketball card. 

Several Washington Generals have been involved with the NBA, both before and after their stints with the Generals. But the most recent, and arguably the most successful was Charles "Charlie" Criss. But the fact he played for the NBA at all, much less had a long 8 year career is one of the most inspiring stories in pro-basketball.

Much like the Washington Generals themselves, Criss' basketball career was an exercise in perseverance, although he proved fortunate enough to have the happy ending the Generals will likely never have.

A graduate of New Mexico State in 1970 where he played basketball, Charlie always felt he belonged in the NBA. Unfortunately, only standing at 5'8" at a time when no players in the NBA were under six feet tall, Charlie was overlooked for the draft.

Not one to give up on his dream of a career in basketball, Charlie took his considerable talents to the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). But it seemed just like with the NBA, the CBA was reluctant to give him a chance.

Charlie started with the Hartford Capitols but was relegated to the taxi squad and only played four games in his first season. But he once more proved to be someone who never gave up and was sixth man for Hartford the following season, averaging 20 points a game. He continued to improve and quickly became the star of league.

He went on to play for the Cherry Hill Rookies the following season then played his final two seasons in the with the Scranton Apollos. While with the Apollos he earned MVP honors in his final season.

Despite being the star of the league, Criss still didn't make enough to make ends meat, having to work a succession of odd jobs to get by. But it seemed his hard work had paid off in 1976 when he was invited to the New York Knicks' trainging camp. Unfortunately, he was quickly cut before the first exhibition game.

Charlie decided no to return to the CBA and instead made a play to try and get a spot with the Harlem Globetrotters, which unlike the CBA would pay him enough to make a good living.

He didn't make the Globetrotters but was picked up by the Washington Generals. Charlie played for the New Jersey Reds (the team name the Washington Generals were using overseas at the time) for a two month tour of Europe.

Charlie would have no doubt played beyond the European tour, and seemed a likely candidate to become one of the players to make a jump to the Globetrotters. But for Charlie, another option came along.

Near the end of their tour Criss was approached by Hubie Brown, coach of the Atlanta Hawks. Brown had seen Criss play in a charity game shortly before joining the Generals and asked Charlie to come to the Atlanta Hawks training camp.

At the time, the Hawks were at the bottom of the NBA totem pole. They had a low budget, were suffering from the loss of their best offensive player and had finished last in their division the previous season. But the Hawks offered Charlie Criss something the NBA had denied him thus far, a fair shot.

Charlie made good on it and in 1977, seven years after finishing his college career, Charlie Criss joined the Hawks. It was a move that made him both the shortest player in the NBA at the oldest rookie ever up to that point.

Finally seeing his dream come true Criss went on to enjoy an 8 year career in the NBA, eventually moving to the San Diego Clippers and the Milwaukee Bucks before once more joining the Hawks until he retired in 1985.

Since leaving the NBA Charlie has worn many hats, working as a television commentator for the Hawks, a minor league basketball coach and cordinating basketball Summer camps where he helped train the next generation of players.

Charlie Criss career was a testament to never giving up and always chasing your dreams. His time with the Generals was short because Charlie was always destined for bigger and better things. Faced with adversity that would have made most of give up, Criss never stopped chasing his dreams.

A shining example to underdogs everywhere.

Charlie Criss at the Hawks Shooting Clinic

RELATED LINKS

"Very Short and Sweet In Atalanta" via Sports Illustrated

"Then and Now - Charlie Criss" via New York Times. 

Weekly Playing Schedule For The Week Of 7/03/11 - 7/09/11

The Washington Generals international tour with the Globetrotters kicks into high geat for this week, with teams touring in both China and Argentina.

In addition to the China leg of the tour marking the debut of newest General Adam Powell, the Globetrotters have also announced opening a remote office in Bejing, China in conjunction with the tour. You can read more about that in the Globetrotters press release by CLICKING HERE.

The tour dates for the week are as follows.

7/05/11 - At the Estadio Delmi in Salta, Argentina at 9:00PM
7/06/11 - At the Liaoyuan City Stadium in Liaoyuan, China at 7:30PM
7/07/11 - At the Changchun Wu Huan Arena in Changchun, China at 7:30PM
7/08/11 - At the Olimpo in Bahia Blanca, Argentina at 9:30PM
7/09/11 - At the Ruca-Che in Neuquen, Argentina at 70:00PM
7/09/11 - At the Taiyuan Binhe Sports Center in Taiyuan, China at 7:30PM

If anyone reading this will be in the area in Argentina or China that week, go down and be sure to cheer the Washington Generals as they play far from home. Once more showing our overseas neighbors the greatest sport in the world.