The Washington Generals are an American basketball team, best known for their spectacular losing streak in exhibition games against the Harlem Globetrotters. The team has also played under several different aliases in their long history as the Globetrotters' perennial opponents. Contents

Function Edit

A Globetrotter beats a hapless Generals defender to score a spectacular slam dunk The Generals exist primarily as a part of the Harlem Globetrotters' act, effectively being stooges for the Globetrotters. While the Globetrotters play tricks and spectacular displays of skill for the crowd, the Generals appear to 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 always this results in resounding wins for the Globetrotters.[2] Despite their losses, the Generals' roster consists of relatively competent players.[2] A recurring part of the act is the "guest General", where, for a short period, an invited person (usually a local celebrity) comes on court to play for the Generals.[3] There can exist multiple teams of Generals simultaneously, each following different touring Globetrotters teams.[1] While the Generals were closely associated with the Globetrotters, they were, for most of their history, an independent franchise owned by their founder, Louis "Red" Klotz. In 2017 they were purchased from the Klotz family by Globetrotters' owners Herschend Entertainment and officially revived from a two-year hiatus.[4]

History Edit

Generals–Globetrotters transfers Edit

Very rarely Washington Generals players have been "promoted" to the Globetrotters. Derick "Dizzy" Grant was transferred in 2010[15] and Jonte "Too Tall" Hall made the transition in 2011.[16] Paul Sturgess made the opposite transition. The former Globetrotter,[17] after a few seasons playing for other teams, transferred back into the setup as part of the arranged opposition.[18] The 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m) Sturgess adopts the persona of "Cager", a masked adversary who adopts a villainous role.[19]

Beating the Harlem Globetrotters Edit

Figures vary as to exactly how often the Generals have beaten their rivals. Some reports say six,[20] while the team's official website reports having three victories over the Globetrotters, one each in 1954, 1958 and 1971.[21] The 1971 win is the most storied of these, and is sometimes reported as the team's sole victory.[2] Playing as the "New Jersey Reds", they won 100–99 on January 5, 1971 in Martin, Tennessee, ending their 2,495-game losing streak. Klotz credits the overtime win to a guard named Eddie Mahar, who was team captain.[22] Harlem's captain, Curly Neal, did not play in this game.[23] While the Globetrotters were entertaining the crowd that day, they lost track of the game and the score. They found themselves down 12 points with two minutes left to go. Forced to play normal basketball, the Globetrotters rallied but could not recover.[24] The Reds secured their victory when the 50-year-old Klotz hit the winning basket with seconds left. Then Meadowlark Lemon missed a shot that would have given the game back to the Globetrotters. The timekeeper tried to stop the clock but couldn't. When the final buzzer sounded, the crowd was dumbfounded and disappointed.[25] Klotz described the fans' reaction: "They looked at us like we killed Santa Claus." Some children in the stands cried after the loss.[23] The Reds celebrated by dousing themselves with orange soda instead of champagne. Lemon was furious, saying, "You lost, I didn't lose," but still visited the opposing team’s locker room to congratulate the Reds.[25]