Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters really are a good example of the black aesthetic and how this plays a part in basketball. The Globetrotters present the aesthetic of cool through their fluid motions on the floor as well as how they glide through the air when doing slam dunks and passing among other team members. In the clip that I watched, one could tell that the Globetrotters don't only play a game but present the game as a performance for their audience. They incorporated a song into their basketball game and as a team sort of danced to it! So we can see that they see the game not only as a game but as a performance to engage the audience. They seem to have more fun with the game as well as personalizing it and "bringing it to life". I really enjoyed watching the clip and feel that there is somewhat of a difference in how basketball is played by whites compared to blacks. Black basketball players tend to try and make a performance and emphasize their skills on the floor while keeping the idea of winning in mind, while whites tend to just play the game to win and not really go above and beyond the rules. I think the reason the Harlem Globetrotters have been so successful is because of this perception of the defiance of rules and creating their own moves on the basketball floor. They also engage the audience and make the game somewhat of a spectacle to watch.