Washington Generals Sign Adam Powell

TCPalm has announced that the Washington Generals have signed Adam Powell, a graduate of Greensboro College.

Powell was a three year starter at Greensboro and earned all conference honors during his Sophmore and Junior Years. He averaged 8.9 points per game for his college career, and earned as many as 13.1 points during his junior year.

Powell reportedly turned down the offer to play overseas, stating he would make more money playing with the Generals.

Powell will begin playing with the Generals in July when the team travels to China to take on the Globetrotters.

We at the Washington Generals Fan Blog (and by we I mean me, since it is just me at this blog), wish Powell good luck with the Generals and hope it leads to even bigger and better things down the road.

CHECK OUT ADAM'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

CHECK OUT ADAM'S STUDENT ATHLETE PROFILE!

Best of the Guest Generals: The Butler Bulldogs

In 2010, another group of underdogs set the world on fire during the NCAA Championship tournament with upsets against Syracuse, Kansas State and Michigan State. Their 25 game winning streak ended when they lost the championship game to Duke by a close score of 61-59.
No strangers to being the underdogs themselves, having been in that position since 1953, the Washington Generals took note and in April of 2010, Red Klotz issued a press release announcing that he signed Butler seniors Willie Veasley, Avery Jukes and Nick Rodgers to a one game contract as Guest Generals. The three were aloud to play because with the season over, they had used up all of their college eligibility.

The three Bulldogs were announced as they came out to the court to a thundering applause, which is most definitley a unique reaction for anyone to get when wearing the Green and Gold.

Unfortunately for the Generals, the Butler trio of players, who were on the court at the same time, didn't have a great showing. They scored only 1 basket by Dukes, three missed shots by Rogers, and a 2-for-2 performance at the free throw line for Vasley. . I don't know if it was nerves, the unusual situation of having to deal with Special K's unique brand of trash talk, or just an off day. On the up side, they weren't confused by the weave, get doused with confetti, served by a Globetrotter dressed as a grandma, and all three left with their pants still firmly around their waist.

The Globetrotters won the game with a score of 70-51, a much bigger gap then the Generals usual defeats, implying the Generals might have simply had a bad day all around. Regardless, I think all three would agree that a game against the Harlem Globetrotters was a great punctuation mark to an amazing final season for Veasley, Jukes, and Rodgers.

Some footage from The Bulldog's time in the game

CLICK HERE FOR ESPN'S PAGE 2's COVERAGE OF THE GAME!

CLICK HERE FOR A STORY ON BUTLER'S WIN AGAINST MICHIGAN!

Washington Generals Top Players: Nancy Lieberman

Photo by Koi Soijer / PR photos

While their win/loss record with the Washington Generals may be nothing to brag about, many Generals have made huge accomplishments in the sport both before and after their tenure with the Generals. But this is probably no more true with than with Nancy Lieberman.

Born in Brooklyn, NY before soon moving to Rockway, NY, Nancy was always interested in sports but settled on backetbal early on, playing mostly pickup with boys, not intimidated to play rough when required.

It wasn't until Nancy went to high school in Far Rockway High School that she finally played against other girls. Obviously those pick-up games served her well as Nancy quickly became known as one of the top players in Women's Basketball

In 1976 at only 17 years old Nancy earned a spot on the USA National Teamm. She would play for the team in the Pan America Games where she helped them win a gold medal at the FIBA World Championship For Women.

Nancy would go one to compete in the 1976 Olympics as part of the first ever Women's Olympic Basketball Team. Shortly after turning 18 Nancy won the silver medal in the Olympic games in Montreal. With that win Nancy became the youngest player in Olympic basketball history to win a medal.

Nancy continued to compete with the National Team and won the Silver Medal in the Pan America Games in 1979. She was named to the 1980 women's basketball team but did not play, along with the rest of the US Olympic team, due to the famous boycott.

From 1976-1980 Nancy played basketball for Old Dominion University. During her time on the team Lieberman earned the nickname "Lady Magic" in comparison to Magic Johnson.

While playing with Old Dominion, Nancy racked up many accomplishments including winning the AIAW National Championship in 1979 and 1980, the Womens National Invitational Tournament in 1978.

Nancy was the first two-time winner of the prestigious "Wade Trophy" and selected as the Broderick Award winner for Basketball as the top women's player in America. Nancy was also named to three consecutive Kodak All American teams in 1978, 1979, and 1980. Nancy also remains Old Dominion University's leader in assist to this day with 961 assist. Nancy eventually dropped out of college in 1980 to begin her professional career (although she did return to get her degree in 2006).

Lieberman began her professional career playing for the Dallas Diamons in the WABA. Unfortunately, she only played for one season before the league folded due to financial problems, which was typical of women's leagues of the time.

After a few years serving as the personal trainer for Martina Navratilova, Nancy once more returned to the Dallas Diamons who were by then part of the WABA. Nancy led her team to the championships and earned an MVP award before the league folded after it's first season.

In 1986, Lieberman made history when she signed with the USBL, she joined the Springfield fame becoming the first women ever to play on a mens basketball team. Nancy played for 2 years with the USBL switching to the Long Island Knights in 1987.

It was after leaving the USBL that she joined the Washington Generals for their 1987-88 season. Although the Harlem Globetrotters had women playing for them by that time, Nancy was the first and so far only woman to play for the Washington Generals, once more making history.

Usually the Generals don't get much press in their games, however the publicity for that season against the Globetrotters heavily mentioned the signing of Lieberman. TV commercials and interviews hyped her as the Generals "secret weapon" to finally gain their first illusive win since 1971.

Unfortunately, as has always been the case with the Generals, success continued to elude them. Nancy's website notes the infamous bad officiating for her teams many losses.

During her year with the Generals, Nancy played Donald "Clyde" Sinclair, future Globetrotter player and later coach of the Harlem Globetrotters. She also played with Tim Cline, whom she married in 1988. They subsequently divorced in 2001.

After leaving the Generals Nancy began a successful broadcast career, commentating on women's and mens college games as well as the NBA for ESPN and NBA-TV. She also was a commentator for the women's basketball games in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. As well as penning several books.

Copyright © by Staci Kramer.
Used under Creative Commons.

In 1996 Nancy was elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player, and in 1999 was elected into the Woman's Basketball Hall of Fame.

Nancy returned to professional basketball with the birth of the WNBA in 1997. She became the oldest player in WNBA history when at 38 she signed on with the Phoenix Mercury. The following year Lieberman was hired as the coach and General manager of the WNBA's Detroit Shock whom she coached for three seasons.

Nancy returned to the WNBA and to the Shock once more in 2008 when she signed a seven day contract as a player. At 50 years old Nancy broke her own record of oldest player to play in the WNBA, which she holds to this day.

Never one to stop making history, in 2009 Nancy was signed as coach for the Texas Legends of the NBA Development Leagues, an affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks. With this Leiberman became the first women to coach a men's professional basketball team.

Today, Nancy is considered  by many to be one of the best, if not the best, women's basketball players in the US.

Of all the Washington Generals, Nancy has probably had the most storied and successful basketball career out of anyone to play for the team. Becoming proof that while the Washington Generals may be most famous for loosing, they most certainly aren't a team of losers.

A list of Nancy Lieberman's Books...

Playbook for Success - Lady Magic: The Autobiography of Nancy Lieberman-Cline - Basketball for Women /w Robin Roberts - Basketball My Way

Books about Nancy Lieberman...

A Drive to Win: The Story of Nancy Lieberman-Cline by Doreen and Michael Greenberg - Nancy Lieberman, Basketball's Magic Lady by Betty Millsaps Jones

NANCY LIEBERMAN'S HOME PAGE
NANCY LIEBERMAN'S WIKIPEDIA ENTRY
NANCY LIEBERMAN'S HOOPEDIA ENRTY
NANCY LIEBERMAN - PLAYED IN MENS LEAGUE

Top 7 Things To Do When You Are A Washington Generals Fan

On the flip side of my earlier post on what not to do if you are a Washington Generals fan... here are 7 things you need to do if you are a Washington Generals fan.

Copyright © by Dinur Blum.
Used Under Creative Commons.

1.) Tell People You Are A Fan - While most people have heard of the Harlem Globetrotters, at least by reputation, you would be surprised how many have not heard of the Washington Generals. Spread the word!

2.) Wear a Washington Generals T-Shirt or Jersey - They even sell them at the games now. You have no excuse.

3.) Refuse to come down to the court if Big Easy or Special K invite you down - Little G will EAT YOU!

4.) Be a graceful loser - Past records would indicate you just might have to exercise it. If you think being a Generals fan is about watching your team win the big one... boy are you in for a shock. Being a Generals fan is about being entertained and appreciating the talent the Generals show. Do that and no matter what the final score says you and the Generals will both leave the arena winners.

5.) Bring a kid - If you don't have kids take a relatives kid. Odds are they will cheer for the Globetrotters yes, but there is nothing like seeing the Washington Generals take on the Harlem Globetrotters through the eyes of a child.

6.) Be respectful - Clap and cheer for the Generals of course, but do it with class. DO NOT start booing the Globetrotters and heckling them with your "clever" remarks. Odds are you are not as funny as you think you are, and even if you are (which you very likely aren't.) the audience came to be entertained by the Generals and Trotters, not by your attempts at clever insults. Show the people around you that Generals fans have class. And for the love of you know who... don't cuss. Part of the magic of a Generals game is that it is a rare night of G rated fun, don't be the idiot who ruins it.

7.) Always remember the most important lesson to be learned from the Washington Generals - It's not whether you win or loose, it's how you play the game. (I know this was on the other list, but it can't be said enough.)

The New York Nationals Have Been Around Longer Than You Would Think

Copyright © by The Appalachian.
Used with permission

In an earlier post  about the Washington Generals many aliases, I mentioned the New York Nationals, a name that instantly springs to mind when you talk about the Generals other identities.

In the article I mentioned the controversial decision made in 1995 to "retire" the Washington Generals that lasted until 2007. What I have since found out, is that the New York Nationals have a history in basketball and against the Globetrotters that spans well before those 12 years.

Starting sometime before World War I the original New York Nationals were one of the many barnstorming teams of early basketball. They toured in the 20's mainly around the mid-west. But it was in the 30's that Abe Saperstein brought them back as one of several attempts to start a non-white team. None of these traveling all white teams proved to have anywhere near the success of the Globetrotters however.

Saperstein did briefly revive the squad in the post World War II era occasionally pitting them against the Globetrotters.

The name made a much bigger comback in the late 60's and early 70's when they would play the international Globetrotters squad, while the Generals (then recycling between the Washington Generals, Boston Shamrocks, New Jersey Red's, etc.)  would play the main squad led by Medowlark Lemon and Curly Neal. Much like the Generals many aliases of the time, this was part of the same team as the Washington Generals, just a name change to give the illusion of the Trotters facing off against more teams.

Copyright © by Matthias Kabel.
Used under Creative Commons.

The name retired after 1971 when the Washington Generals began playing full time under just the "Washington General" name that we all know and love.

It is likely due to this history that when the puzzling decision to retire the Washington Generals was made, that the New York Nationals was the "new" name that they settled on. But I think we can all agree the return to the Washington Generals name was inevitable sooner or later.

I personally remember the first time I saw the Globetrotters play the New York Nationals. Even though you knew it was the same team it just never felt the same. The Globetrotters opponents are the Washington Generals. Seeing another name, and another color besides the Green and Gold facing off against them just never felt the same. In the hearts of the fans and players the Globetrotters opponents will always be the Washington Generals. A truth it seems even the Globetrotter organisation eventually realized.

Randomness Week 4

Copyright © by CB Images.
Used with permission.

There was little Washington General or Harlem Globetrotter news at the moment, as neither team is touring right now. But here is what little I found that was worth mentioning.

Non-General related but if anyone hasn't seen it yet, Dizzy has 5 more impressions on the Globetrotters YouTube channel. They are of Chuck Hayes, Shawn Marion, Dennis Rodman, Bill Cartwright, and Kevin Garnett. CLICK HERE TO SEE THEM!

For anyone who hasn't noticed in this blogs "Guest Generals" tab I added link to the "Best of the Guest Generals" entries. I will still be posting them as blog post, but figured I would link to them there to make the past entries easier for new readers to find. I will be adding a tab to index my "Washington Generals Best Players" post soon as well, I just felt it wasn't worth adding until I had a few more entries. I plan to continue posting new entries to both post of series on a weekly basis for the foreseeable future.

On YouTube I found a trailer for the book "Edge of Legends" which tells the story of Harlem Globetrotter Anthony "Ant" Atkinson's journey to and victory at the Division II championships. You can see the Youtube video HERE, and order the book from Amazon HERE.

Elite Pro Performance basketball training, which is run by former New York National Michael Atkinson, has posted their summer events schedule. CLICK HERE TO VIEW!

I have gotten a couple e-mails asking if I know how to join the Washington Generals. I am not affiliated with them as this is a fan page but they have a link on their official site with information. So if anyone ended up on the blog first trying to find out, you can CLICK HERE.

The Sun National Bank Center received "Money Ball" recently for setting turnstyle record for their attendance in March for their hosting the Generals and Globetrotters for the "4 Times The Fun" Tour. CLICK HERE TO READ!

A recent web listing of the "Best basketball movies for kids" gave the Harlem Globetrotters 1951 movie honorable mention. It was the only movie out before 1985 on the list anywhere which says something about it's timelessness. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LIST!

Hot Shot Traded to the Washington Generals

This is an older video from April Fools Day 2008 where Hot Shot Branch was punked after the Harlem Globetrotters site posted a story stating he was traded to the Washington Generals.

Looks like they had him going although personally I don't know what Hot Shot was so unhappy about. Someone needs to tell him about the big fish in a small pond principle.

Indecently I am making a promise right now almost a year early that when the next April 1st rolls around if this blog is still up (and I hope it is) I will NOT post a story saying the Washington Generals beat the Globetrotters. That would be about as predictable and uninspired a trick as you could do on this blog. 

If they actually do win on April 1st I will just wait until April 2nd so people will actually believe me.