Globetrotters dazzle Oracle Arena fans

Video by Daniel A. Nelson and
Shawn Whelchel/SFBay

A well-crafted mixture of basketball, comedy and theater, anything can happen when the Harlem Globetrotters take the court.

After MC Ramsey’s introductions, and the playing of the Globetrotters’ theme song, Sweet Georgia Brown, veteran and “prince of clown” Nathaniel “Big Easy” Lofton took to running the show.

Pranks, trick shots, high fives, jokes and fan interaction filled Oracle Arena with laughter and smiles Friday night.

The Globetrotters literally run circles around the opposing “World All-Stars” before throwing down monster dunks or hitting their infamous four-point-shot near the intersection of the sideline and half court.

During the second quarter, Big Easy spotted a boy sitting courtside with a sign that read “Its my birthday!”

Big Easy brought nine-year-old Jackson Decker on the court and had the whole arena sing happy birthday to him.

Jackson was with his father Ben and two younger brothers, Joseph and Christopher. Ben Decker told SFBay said he saw the Globetrotters when he was around Jackson’s age, and that it was special to be able to share that with him:

“Its my oldest son’s ninth birthday so its a fun treat to be with him, his friends and his brothers.  We’re having a lot of fun.”

Little did they know the fun would continue for Jackson. Later in the fourth quarter, Big Easy grabbed the birthday boy once more and took him onto the court for the final trick shot challenge.

On his third try, Jackson made his shot and the team gave him an autographed Globetrotter jersey and initiated a dance-off with Brawley “Cheese” Chisholm and Donte “Hammer” Harrison.

Following a 113-106 victory, the Globetrotters let the fans join them on the court for autographs, high fives and pictures.

The Globetrotters currently have three teams touring and are in Oakland for one more show on Sunday at 2 p.m. before heading to Sacramento for a performance on Monday.