Harlem Globetrotters wrote to Adam Silver, asking to join the NBA as an expansion team

As the NBA considers expansion, the Harlem Globetrotters demanded to become an NBA team.

In an open letter to Commissioner Adam Silver, Globetrotters explained their historical significance to basketball and said: “If you really believe what you have been saying about social justice, go back to’normal ‘Need to look different.

“You can’t act as if we don’t exist anymore. It’s time to correct mistakes and rewrite history. It’s time for the NBA to respect what Globetrotters did for our sport, both in the U.S. and globally,” the letter reads Tao. “According to what we have proven, we can send a team of talents comparable to today’s professional players, and we hope to have the opportunity to do this. As a world-renowned and legendary professional basketball team, we report to Commissioner Adam Silver ( Adam Silver) made a request, “The Governor of the NBA and the power to grant The Original Harlem Globetrotters an NBA team. Not now, but now! “

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Since the Charlotte Bobcats at the time-now the Hornets-became the 30 NBA teams in 2004, the NBA has not expanded.although Silver Talk Expansion Not “the most important”, he pointed out that this is something the league is considering.

In the letter, the globetrotter explained that in 1949, the globetrotter faced the then BAA champion Lakers and won for the second year in a row. At the time, basketball had not yet been integrated.

The letter went on to say that that game led to the integration of the sport. The first black NBA players were from Harlem, and Nat Sweetwater Clifton was the first to sign a contract. Black player, Earl Lloyd was the first black player to participate in the game. game.

The letter read: “Although it is difficult to see them leave, we are proud of the fact that young black men have brought such a significant change to the game.” “We continue to expand the arena and develop basketball globally. When the NBA While trying to attract thousands of fans, we agreed to arrange doubles matches featuring Globetrotters. With the development of the NBA, you can attract the best players, black players, but we remember who helped the NBA start it all. “

Globetrotters say they have also helped spread the sport around the world, and have already competed in 122 different countries. They also discussed the different elements of Harlem that are popular in today’s game, from the inside of the back to the outside, dunking, not looking at the pass, fast break, half-court jump shot and half-court hook shot.

The Globetrotter wrote in the letter: “Congratulations on growing into a multi-billion dollar industry through international efforts and huge media deals.” “We have always kept a low profile and focused on what is most important to us-world-class Playing basketball, uniting the family and spreading the fun of the game.”

Sports Net reported Las Vegas and Seattle are the two most likely destinations Used for expansion.