Harlem Globetrotters coming to Covelli

By John Benson | entertainment@vindy.com

There’s a classic episode of “The Simpsons” where Krusty the Clown bets a lot of money on the Washington Generals to upset the Harlem Globetrotters.

“I thought they were due,” he said.

Due indeed are the famous Globetrotter foes who haven’t won a game since 1971. Now after five years away from the popular globetrotting team’s tour, the Washington Generals are back facing their dominant rivals for the squad’s 2015 world tour, which comes through Youngstown next Thursday at the Covelli Centre.

Even though the Generals may bring their A game, one person not worried about their return is veteran Globetrotter guard Buckets Blakes.

“I’m excited the Washington Generals are back,” said Blakes, calling from Toledo. “This is the Washington Generals revenge tour. I guess they’ve been recruiting all over the world so they can get a victory over us, but we have more tricks up our sleeves than they do.”

Still, anything can happen in five years. Perhaps the Generals have been scouring the Earth looking for a ringer to break their losing streak.

“I’m not worried at all,” Blakes said. “Them bringing in a ringer, I mean, everybody on my team is a ringer. So if they only have one ringer, they’re in trouble.”

Admittedly, Blakes counts himself as one of those ringers having perfected the 4-point shot from 35 feet away.

“I’m known as a floor general,” Blakes said. “I’m a guy out there facilitating a lot of things. I’m the point guard, basically, running the plays, throwing alley oops and every now and then sliding in a dunk. I have my half court-shot. I made a shot my last nine games last year. I went out with a bang. I’m looking to start off again.”

He added that confidence is not only the key to making any long shot but also succeeding in life. Born and raised in Phoenix, Blakes grew up in a family of nine kids where he had to box out at the dinner table to survive. In fact, one of his favorite childhood basketball memories was when he finally stole the basketball from his older cousin, who was one of the best basketball players in Arizona.

Eventually, Blakes’ hoop dreams took him to Arizona Western College and the University of Wyoming, where he was team captain and MVP his junior and senior seasons. During his senior year, Blakes was one of only two Mountain West Conference players to finish in the top 15 in scoring, rebounding and assists.

This brings up an interesting question: Considering the Globetrotters are stocked with talented college players, how would they fair against, say, the Cleveland Cavaliers?

“All I would say is, they’re a professional team, we’re a professional team,” Blakes said. “We got a good coach and some good players. You have great players as far as LeBron goes. But we’ve got Big Easy. It would be a great game. I bet a lot of people would pay to watch it, too.”

So if the Cavs have the Big 3, what do the Globetrotters have?

“We have the Big 5,” Blakes said, laughing. “It’s whoever we have on the court. We’ve got all ringers. Put it that way.”