Harlem Globetrotters Research Paper

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Globetrotting in the 1920’s The game of basketball today has taken the world by storm. Basketball has become one of the most popular sports worldwide. Amazing athletes like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Carmelo Anthony have amazed NBA and basketball fans all over the world. Basketball was created as a humble game with a peach basket in 1891 by James Naismith. Most people would agree that the best basketball player of all time is Michael Jordan. But how did the game evolve? The Harlem Globetrotters helped the game grow in the 1920’s Before the Globetrotters were formed in 1927 by Abe Saperstein, basketball was mostly an irrelevant game. “Very small crowds fit into densely packed church gymnasiums to watch games” (Digital Harlem Blog). In 1902, basketball got a huge boost in national exposure when it allowed an African-American named Bucky Lew to play in a game (NBA Hoops Online). When the Globetrotters were formed, they were an unusual team. They did not play in a league and did not have regular opponents (Pendergast.329). Instead, they tour the world playing any team while blending their basic basketball skills with physical comedy (Pop-Culture of 20th Century America, pg 329). Their blend of comedy and amazing athletic skills captivated crowds …show more content…

They also tour the world and play games in cities like Tokyo, Berlin, and Rio. It would be rare to hear that somebody has never heard of the team. Crowds would stand ticket lines for hours and hours to get tickets. Little kids of all races absolutely love the team because of the comedy and they are awe struck by their tricks. When people think of the sport of basketball and comedy, the first thought in their head is the Harlem Globetrotters. When it comes to a group of people that can captivate an era and beyond, nobody can beat the original and sweet Harlem

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