Amanda Knapp
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theatre, entertainment and comedy in their style of play. Over the years, they have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories, mostly against deliberately ineffective opponents. The Harlem Globetrotters have lost basketball games in the past, most notably against the Washington Generals, who played under several aliases, including the New Jersey Reds. On January 5, 1971, the New Jersey Reds won 100-99, ending their 2,495-game losing streak. The Harlem Globetrotters also lost to a team of retired basketball stars called Kareem's All-Stars on September 12, 1995, in Vienna, Austria, ending their 8,829-game winning streak.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of games played | 26,000+ |
| Number of countries played in | 124 |
| Perennial opponents | Washington Generals (1953-1995, since 2015), New York Nationals (1995-2015) |
| Signature song | Whistled version of "Sweet Georgia Brown" by Brother Bones |
| Mascot | Anthropomorphized globe named "Globie" |
| Year the team originated | 1926 |
| Original name | Savoy Big Five |
| Year the team was purchased by Herschend Family Entertainment | 2013 |
| Year the Harlem Globetrotters lost to the Washington Generals | 1971 |
| Name of the Washington Generals team captain | Eddie Mahar |
| Score of the game | 100-99 |
| Year the Harlem Globetrotters' 8,829-game winning streak was snapped | 1995 |
| Opponent | Team of retired basketball stars led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
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What You'll Learn
The Harlem Globetrotters' first loss
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theatre, entertainment, and comedy in their style of play. The team originated in 1926 on the South Side of Chicago and played their first road game in Hinckley, Illinois, on January 7, 1927, winning their first World Basketball Championship by defeating the Chicago Bruins.
The Harlem Globetrotters are known for their winning streaks and have played over 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories, mostly against deliberately ineffective opponents. However, on January 5, 1971, the Globetrotters suffered their first loss to the New Jersey Reds, who played as the Washington Generals. The final score was 100-99, ending their 2,495-game losing streak. During this game, the Globetrotters were entertaining the crowd with their usual tricks and displays of skill, but they lost track of the game and the score. With two minutes left, they found themselves down by 12 points and were forced to play a more traditional style of basketball. Despite their efforts, they could not recover, and the Reds secured their victory with a winning basket in the final seconds.
The Harlem Globetrotters' loss to the New Jersey Reds, playing as the Washington Generals, was a rare occurrence and a significant moment in basketball history. The Globetrotters had a 2,495-game losing streak going into this match, and their defeat left the crowd dumbfounded and disappointed, with some children in the stands even crying. This loss is often remembered as a reminder that even the best teams can be beaten and that the Globetrotters' dominance in basketball was not invincible.
Following this initial loss, the Harlem Globetrotters went on to experience another significant defeat on September 12, 1995, in Vienna, Austria. They faced a team of retired basketball stars led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, called "Kareem's All-Stars." The Globetrotters lost this game 91-85, marking their first loss since 1971 and ending an impressive 8,829-game winning streak. This game was unique in that it was not scripted, and the Globetrotters took the loss hard, with Reggie "Regulator" Phillips commenting that "the guys are really upset."
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The Washington Generals beat the Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theatre, entertainment, and comedy in their style of play. They have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories, mostly against deliberately ineffective opponents. The Washington Generals are one such opponent, playing under several aliases in their history as the Globetrotters' perennial opponents.
The Generals exist primarily as a part of the Harlem Globetrotters' act, serving as stooges for the Globetrotters. While the Globetrotters play tricks and perform spectacular displays of skill for the crowd, the Generals attempt to play a "normal" game of basketball. The Generals' games involve playing genuine basketball at times, but also not interfering in the Globetrotters' tricks. Almost every game has ended in a resounding win for the Globetrotters.
However, on January 5, 1971, in Martin, Tennessee, the Washington Generals, playing as the New Jersey Reds, won 100–99, ending their 2,495-game losing streak. While the Globetrotters were entertaining the crowd, they lost track of the game and the score. They found themselves down 12 points with two minutes left to play. Forced to play a normal game of basketball, the Globetrotters rallied but could not recover. The Reds secured their victory when the 50-year-old Red Klotz hit the winning basket with seconds left. Meadowlark Lemon, who was furious about the loss, missed a shot that would have given the game back to the Globetrotters. The timekeeper tried to stop the clock but could not, and the crowd was left dumbfounded and disappointed.
The Harlem Globetrotters are one of the world's most influential basketball teams, receiving induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. They have showcased their unique blend of athleticism and entertainment in 124 countries and territories, bringing their show to millions of fans around the world each year. While the Globetrotters have lost very few games, the Washington Generals, their long-time opponents, did beat them on that fateful day in January 1971.
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Globetrotters' 8,829-game winning streak snapped
The Harlem Globetrotters are one of the greatest basketball teams in the world. They combine athleticism, theatre, entertainment and comedy in their style of play. Over their 96 years of being active, the Harlem Globetrotters have won 27,000 games and lost just 345 times, giving them a .
On September 12, 1995, in Vienna, Austria, the Harlem Globetrotters' 8,829-game winning streak was snapped. They went up against a team of retired basketball stars led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, aptly named "Kareem's All-Stars". The Globetrotters lost 91-85, marking their first loss since 1971. Abdul-Jabbar, who was 48 years old and had been out of the NBA for six years, scored 34 points. He was aided by other former NBA stars such as Bo Kimble, Artis Gilmore, Jo-Jo White, Nate "Tiny" Archibald, and 40-year-old Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell.
The game was unusual for the Globetrotters, as their games are usually scripted, but this one was not. Despite the loss, the Globetrotters took it in stride, with team member Reggie "Regulator" Phillips telling the media, "The guys are really upset..." Meanwhile, Abdul-Jabbar complimented the Globetrotters, saying they were "a very good basketball team" and that "they impressed our team with their poise in this loss." The Globetrotters would go on to beat Kareem's All-Stars in their next game, returning to their winning ways.
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Globetrotters' exhibition style
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team known for their unique style of play that blends athleticism, theatre, and comedy. The team was founded in 1926 in Chicago by Abe Saperstein and initially played under various names, including the "Savoy Big Five", before settling on the moniker "Harlem Globetrotters" to capitalise on the cultural appeal of Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance.
The Globetrotters' exhibition style is characterised by their impressive ball-handling skills, theatrical routines, and comedic skits. They combine athleticism and entertainment, often showcasing flashy ball-handling tricks, coordinated dribbling and passing displays, and making unusually difficult shots. Their performances are designed to captivate audiences of all ages and have been described as having a “show over competition” approach.
One of their most famous routines is the "Magic Circle", where players demonstrate their dribbling and passing prowess in a synchronised display of teamwork and showmanship. The Globetrotters have also incorporated comedy into their act since the 1940s, with Reece "Goose" Tatum credited for this direction. Their performances often include guest stars and local celebrities, adding to the entertainment value.
The Globetrotters have played over 26,000 exhibition games in more than 120 countries, facing deliberately ineffective opponents like the Washington Generals and the New York Nationals. While their games are not fixed, parts of their modern exhibition matches are pre-planned to showcase their unique skills and routines.
The team has had a significant cultural impact, appearing in various media and influencing popular culture worldwide. They have also been ambassadors for goodwill, promoting social causes, charitable initiatives, and cultural exchange programs globally. The Globetrotters' influence extends beyond entertainment, as they played a role in the integration of the NBA by demonstrating the excellence of African-American players, with Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton becoming the first African-American to sign an NBA contract in 1950.
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Globetrotters' social influence
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theatre, entertainment and comedy in their style of play. They have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories, showcasing some of the best athletes on the planet. The team has been socially influential, particularly in breaking down racial barriers in professional basketball.
The Harlem Globetrotters were formed in 1926 on the South Side of Chicago, with all the original players hailing from the area. They began as the Savoy Big Five, one of the main attractions of the Savoy Ballroom. In 1928, several players left the team and formed the "Globe Trotters", touring southern Illinois. Abe Saperstein then became involved with the team, and by 1929 he was touring with his basketball team, the "New York Harlem Globe Trotters". Saperstein chose the name "Harlem" as it was considered the centre of Black American culture, and "Globetrotter" to mythologise the team's international venues.
The Globetrotters were socially influential from the very beginning. In the 1920s, most organised basketball in America was racially segregated. The Globetrotters, a team of Black American players, went on to win their first World Basketball Championship in 1927, defeating the Chicago Bruins. In 1948 and 1949, they beat the World Champion Minneapolis Lakers of the NBA, who were considered one of the best white basketball teams in the country. These victories accelerated the integration of the NBA, as Globetrotter Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton became the first African-American player to sign an NBA contract when he joined the New York Knicks in 1950.
The Globetrotters continued to easily win games as they had access to the entire talent pool of the best Black basketball players in the country. In 1950, Harlem Globetrotter Chuck Cooper became the first Black player to be drafted into the NBA. The Globetrotters gradually worked comic routines into their act, eventually becoming known more for entertainment than sports.
The team continued to enjoy immense popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, with their own cartoon show on CBS earning some of the highest ratings in the history of Saturday morning television. Olympic Gold Medalist Lynette Woodard joined the Globetrotters, becoming the first female to play on a men's pro basketball team and helping to pave the way for the WNBA. The Globetrotters have played before crowds of up to 75,000 and have been acknowledged by world leaders such as Presidents Eisenhower and Ford for their ability to serve mankind around the world.
In conclusion, the Harlem Globetrotters have had a significant social influence, particularly in breaking down racial barriers in professional basketball and entertaining millions of fans around the world. They have showcased the talent of Black basketball players, challenged racial stereotypes, and inspired future generations of athletes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Harlem Globetrotters have lost a few basketball games. In 1971, they lost to the New Jersey Reds, ending their 2,495-game losing streak. In 1995, the Harlem Globetrotters' 8,829-game winning streak was snapped when they lost to a team of retired basketball stars led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theatre, entertainment, and comedy in their style of play. They have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories, often against deliberately ineffective opponents like the Washington Generals.
The Harlem Globetrotters are one of the world's most influential basketball teams, receiving the highest honour in basketball with their induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. They are known for their on-court antics and have held immense popularity over the years, with a successful cartoon show and live-action Saturday morning variety show in the '70s and '80s.
