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Meadowlark Lemon, Harlem Globetrotter Who Played Basketball and Pranks With Virtuosity, Dies at 83
NY Times ^ | December 28, 2015 | Bruce Weber

Posted on 12/27/2015 11:44:41 PM PST by Zakeet

Meadowlark Lemon, whose halfcourt hook shots, no-look behind-the-back passes and vivid clowning were marquee features of the feel-good traveling basketball show known as the Harlem Globetrotters for nearly a quarter-century, died on Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he lived. He was 83.

[Snip]

Lemon was a slick ballhandler and a virtuoso passer, and he specialized in the long-distance hook, a trick shot he made with remarkable regularity. But it was his charisma and comic bravado that made him perhaps the most famous Globetrotter. For 22 years, until he left the team in 1978, Lemon was the Trotters' ringmaster, directing their basketball circus from the pivot. He imitated [Goose] Tatum's reams, like spying on the opposition's huddle, and added his own.

He chased referees with a bucket and surprised them with a shower of confetti instead of water. He dribbled above his head and walked with exaggerated steps. He mimicked a hitter in the batter's box and, with teammates, pantomimed a baseball game. And both to torment the opposing team - as time went on, it was often a hired squad of foils - and to amuse the appreciative spectators, he laughed and he teased and he chattered and he smiled; like Tatum, he talked most of the time he was on the court.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: basketball; lemon; obituary
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He was a good man who will be missed ... may he rest in peace.

1 posted on 12/27/2015 11:44:42 PM PST by Zakeet
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To: Zakeet

Seen him play when I was a kid at the old Boston Garden. RIP.


2 posted on 12/27/2015 11:46:17 PM PST by LongWayHome
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To: Zakeet

RIP Meadowlark.


3 posted on 12/27/2015 11:52:11 PM PST by The KG9 Kid
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To: Zakeet

Saw him play a few times. Always a real treat.


4 posted on 12/27/2015 11:56:56 PM PST by Ken H
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To: Zakeet
I was privileged to see the Globetrotters play many years ago.

RIP Meadowlark, you brought joy to many many people, and you were damned good at what you did.

5 posted on 12/27/2015 11:57:08 PM PST by dayglored ("Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.")
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To: Zakeet

Years ago, ABC would show the Globetrotters games as part of its Wide World of Sports series on Saturdays. I wasn’t much of a basketball fan, but my Dad and I would watch the Globetrotters every time they were on and laugh ourselves silly. The antics of Lemon and his teammates were hilarious.

Rest in peace, Mr. Lemon.


6 posted on 12/28/2015 12:01:48 AM PST by fatnotlazy
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To: Zakeet

Meadowlark and Mr. Whipple in 1984 Charmin commercial => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuYiXx8E-v8


7 posted on 12/28/2015 12:07:47 AM PST by Ken H
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Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

Comment #9 Removed by Moderator

To: 867V309
All I know is my dad lost a ton betting on the Washington Generals.

He kept saying, 'Son, they're due and the payoff is just too good!':)

10 posted on 12/28/2015 12:11:17 AM PST by Ken H
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To: Zakeet

Saw him as a child in Casper, Wyoming. He was awesome. RIP.


11 posted on 12/28/2015 12:12:36 AM PST by microgood
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To: 867V309
Wasn't he one of the fakers who always barely lost to the hometown team?

That was the whole point.
12 posted on 12/28/2015 12:14:24 AM PST by microgood
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To: Zakeet

Boy, does that pic take me back a ways.


13 posted on 12/28/2015 12:19:54 AM PST by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: Zakeet

Sad.He was a blast to watch and very funny.RIP.


14 posted on 12/28/2015 12:21:12 AM PST by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life's tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: microgood

Yes, it was a show. I’m surprised some don’t know that.


15 posted on 12/28/2015 12:21:54 AM PST by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: Ken H

I have a vague memory of going to see them with my dad. My dad was not a sports fan at all! After watching some of their videos in later years I wonder why “real” basketball players don’t make those same goofy shots (and win the game).


16 posted on 12/28/2015 12:22:43 AM PST by 21twelve (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2185147/posts It is happening again.)
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To: Zakeet
Probably was 1964 the Globetrotters came to Klamath Falls Oregon. We sat one row behind their bench. They were having what we would call today....having too much fun setting up the next trick. They had flat balls and buckets full of confetti, etc.

Rest in peace.

17 posted on 12/28/2015 12:25:11 AM PST by Battle Axe (Repent: for the coming of the Lord is soon.)
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Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: Zakeet

Geez the sports world is getting rocked this holiday season. RIP Meadowlark


19 posted on 12/28/2015 12:30:21 AM PST by Cyman
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To: 867V309

Man, did your mama have any kids with a sense of humor?

The Globetrotters were entertainers who were all phenomenal b-ball players. The “just barely winning” was their schtick, for heaven’s sake.

Lighten up, Francis. Life’s too short to be a stick-in-the-mud.

Mr. Lemon, you were great, and your talents will be missed. Thanks for the laughs.


20 posted on 12/28/2015 12:34:28 AM PST by Don W ( When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn.)
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