Globetrotters strut their stuff in Pauley; all ages entertained

Fancy dribbling, dunking, music and water all over the place
forces audience involvement and sets the tone for a performance
that goes beyond basketball.

The Harlem Globetrotters put on a show against a nonexistent New
York National team, defeating it 70-54 in front of an enthusiastic
Pauley Pavilion crowd on Saturday afternoon. In the family
atmosphere, the crowd couldn’t wait to laugh.

Paul “Showtime” Gaffney kept the audience on its
heels with his unpredictable interruptions. He would stop the game
cold with childish games ““ arguing with the referee and
teasing players over missed shots.

When Showtime stepped off the court, the game would become an
actual basketball contest.

“My job is to get my teammates involved and make sure the
fans are happy,” Gaffney said.

A 10-year veteran of the Harlem Globetrotters, Gaffney is
originally from Kentucky. From there he moved to Tennessee and
attended Tennessee Wesleyan University.

Gaffney had no mercy for the crowd, making sure it had a reason
to duck, giggle or chant.

A small boy’s shoes were tossed at the referee’s
backside. A purse was stolen from an old woman in the front row and
passed around the team, before they returned the purse and danced
with her on the court.

Finally, the Globetrotters performed a football-like replay done
with “rewinding” action.

Fans loved the creativity and energy as the players displayed
acting skills and were willing to please the audience at all costs.
With dance moves and dazzling dunks, the audience was entertained
throughout the afternoon.

After the performance, children stormed the court for free
autographs, and free posters were given out as security struggled
for control over the crazed kids.