Harlem Globetrotters

Motorpoint Arena

Cardiff

The sound of a hundred bouncing balls filled the Cardiff International Arena as I walked in, people of all ages were dribbling around the specially-laid court with their just-purchased Harlem Globetrotters basketballs.

The dexterity on display from the young spectators gave me hope for the next generation of British basketballers, and they were about to see a masterclass of moves to try at home, too.

A call came to take our seats, the balls stopped bouncing, and out came the Generals. The long-time rivals of the Globetrotters were met with modest applause. Despite their efforts to get the crowd loud, they knew who we were all here to see.

And when a cloud of smoke appeared around the court ‘tunnel’ (it was really just a door), the cheers erupted.

The crowd whooped and stomped their feet as Thunder, Speedy, Mighty and their Globetrotter teammates danced onto the court, high-fiving the courtside fans as they did.

After a quick warm-up display - a dunk here, a three-pointer there, a full-court shot out of nowhere – the game was off.

The score wasn’t important. This was about pure showmanship and crowd experience.

The Globetrotters would dribble up the court, fake-out the opponent, pass the ball so quickly and accurately the Generals were completely lost. Then the ball would get lobbed towards the hoop and caught by an airborne ‘trotter who then slams home the alley-oop.

They weren’t afraid to get the crowd involved either. “Go left” they’d say, and we’d all move to the left, “go right” and we’d follow, and that was just the stewards trying to organise the merch queue.

On court they had multiple lucky kids up to throw shots, be carried to the rim for a dunk and even have a dance off. At one point a Globetrotter defender caught a General attempting a dunk, in mid-air, carried him over to courtside, and placed him in a fans lap. The ref didn’t even call a foul.

There’s really nothing like it. What a show.

OB