Harlem Globetrotters Legend Meadowlark Lemon Dies At 83

[MohRokTah]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/meadowlark-lamon-obit-harlem-globetrotters

UPDATED: Dec. 28, 2015, 10:52 AM ET

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Meadowlark Lemon, the "clown prince" of basketball's barnstorming Harlem Globetrotters, whose blend of hook shots and humor brought joy to millions of fans around the world, has died. He was 83.

Lemon's wife and daughter confirmed to the team that he died Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz., Globetrotters spokesman Brett Meister said Monday. Meister did not know the cause of death.

Though skilled enough to play professionally, Lemon instead wanted to entertain, his dream of playing for the Globetrotters hatched after watching a newsreel of the all-black team at a cinema house when he was 11.

Lemon ended up becoming arguably its most popular player, a showman known as much for his confetti-in-the-water-bucket routine and slapstick comedy as his half-court hook shots and no-look, behind-the-back passes.

[Bluzmann57]

1. My dad took me to see the Globetrotters when I was a kid

And he explained to me that Meadowlark was more than just a novelty act, that he could really play. And he could. At the risk of sounding like a crochety old man, the Globetrotters have never been the same since he and Curly Neal have been gone.

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. RIP Meadowlark Lemon.

[Initech]

3. RIP. Love the Globetrotters.

[Historic NY]

4. Great guy & showman he played several time in our local HS...

always a treat to see his antics.

[Eleanors38]

5. Job well done. The Globetrotters were real ambassadors in a difficult time.

[spanone]

6. Great ball player and a Great entertainer....RIP

[Tom_Foolery]

7. RIP...