Harlem still trottin' the globe

The Harlem Globetrotters, the same team that inspired a young Yao Ming to pursue a career in pro-basketball, continued their China Tour with a dazzling display at Shanghai's Yuanshen Sports Center last weekend.

The show marked the eighth of nine domestic stops for the NBA's favorite entertainers as they bring their family-friendly brand of basketball to the country for the fifth year. The tour began in Hsinchu City of Taiwan in November.

"This is my first time to visit China. I always wanted to come. Our basketball isn't only for kids but also for adults," said Scooter Christensen, who plays guard. "We hope to show our performance to everybody around the world."

Unlike the NBA's typically confrontational style, the team focused on slide dribbles, fancy footwork and flash dunks to please the crowd.

In fact, the team has quite a history in China, even performing here for late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping as early as 1979. Multi-city tours in 1991 and 2004 helped buoy up their fan bases as the Globetrotters, which have established a strategic cooperative partnership with the NBA, seek further growth.

For the last 83 years, the franchise has thrilled audiences with their athleticism, pranks and interactive games. Over 130 million fans in 120 countries have enjoyed the Globetrotters' unique brand of entertainment, with the lucky ones getting to see stars such as Wilt Chamberlain and Magic Johnson in their prime.

Now a new generation of stars is carrying on this storied tradition with timeless basketball exhibitions.

Chen Jiyuan

(China Daily 12/19/2009 page14)