Wilbert Joseph Dupre Sr.
January 7, 2012
The one that got away
January 10, 2012
With a pair of scissors in his hands and a mischievous, rye grin on his face, Anthony “Buckets” Blakes’ love for basketball began on a warm, 1970s afternoon in Phoenix.
The small child began to cut n a little off the top.
A little around the edges.
Slightly more around the crown.
The surgery job sure sounds like a haircut, but on this day, it wasn’t. Instead, young Blakes was chopping up his father’s hat, dissecting the brim from the hat’s body.
With his operation complete, the boy knew he was in big trouble when his father got home.
He had long decided he’d cross that bridge when he got to it n it’s time to play basketball.
“I guess I didn’t have enough patience to wait on my parents to get me a little Nerf hoop,” Blakes says looking back with a laugh. “So we cut open the hat and me and my brothers would shoot a tennis ball in there. I guess that’s where the love started. And ever since then … I’ve always had that love.”
Flash forward 30 years later and the hat is exchanged for an actual rim n maybe even in a venue such as Madison Square Garden.
The ball isn’t covered in fluorescent yellow fur, but is instead basked in the red, white and blue leather of a traditional basketball.
And the love? That’s still as pure as ever, running deep into every ounce of his body.
Blakes is a Harlem Globetrotter and has been one for more than a decade.
He and his crew hope to share their passion with a Tri-parish audience this month when the world’s most famous basketball team takes the floor in Houma on Jan. 24.
Tip-off for that game is at 7 p.m. and the action will take place at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.
“We’re the most entertaining basketball team in the world,” Blakes said. “We live for this. We’re here to put those smiles on everyone’s faces and make sure the whole audience goes home happy.”
The road from tennis balls shot into hats to arguably the grandest stage of hoops has been a long one for Blakes.
The desert child emerged from a decorated high school career and attended Arizona Western College, where he lettered for two years. He then transferred to the University of Wyoming, where Blakes established himself as one of the best players in the Mountain West Conference.
From college standout, Blakes also tested his luck at the professional level, making it as far as the NBA’s Developmental League.
But something always felt a little off. Blakes said he dreamed his whole life about being a professional athlete, but he wasn’t quite fulfilled.
That changed when the Globetrotters came calling. During Blakes’ first game in the basketball squad’s historic blue uniform, he knew he was where he wanted to be in life.
“I’m actually living my dream now playing for the Harlem Globetrotters,” Blakes said. “Even though I went down several basketball avenues, this is definitely where I was meant to be because I’m always laughing. I’m always happy.”
So the question then becomes how did Blakes become a Globetrotter?
Or how does anyone become a Globetrotter, for that matter?
The 10-year veteran said the team has scouts that select several prospects each year for a mini-camp.
From there, the best of the best get an invite to training camp.
“From there, if you get that invite, you know you’ve pretty much made the team at that point,” Blakes said.
The goal of traditional basketball is to execute strategy and score one more point than your opponent.
The Globetrotters do have to win, too, but their goal is a little different n they also have to put on a show.
But what happens when things just aren’t right and shots aren’t falling?
Blakes said the biggest challenge this basketball tour faces is the inevitable off nights that occur.
“We play every single night on our North American tour from Dec. 26 to April 22,” Blakes said. “And you just can’t have that off night. I define an off night as a night where every single thing isn’t going your way. I don’t think that’s ever happened to me. Sure, I might have had games where the ball didn’t go in or nights where the timing was off and the passes weren’t there, but when those things happen, you have to find a way to adjust and be effective at something. I haven’t had one of those off nights and I can’t remember any of my teammates having one like that, either.
“With the Globetrotters, it’s more of a confidence thing. The more you’re out there, the more confidence you get.”
We all know the jokes, the giggles and the laughs associated with a night of hoops with the Globetrotters.
But this year, the Globetrotters have even more bite with their bark.
The team will be unveiling its coveted rookie class at the Houma game, headlined by several attractions.
This year’s group of rookies consists of both the world’s tallest player, 7-foot, 8-inch Paul “Tiny” Sturgess and also the shortest-ever Globetrotter, Jonte “Too Tall” Hall.
The team’s rookies also include Fatima “TNT” Maddox, the team’s first female player since 1993.
With rookies both tall and small, the Trotters also added athleticism, adding several finalists from the 2011 College Slam Dunk Contest, including Jacob “Hops” Tucker, John “Jet” Williams and Darnell “Spider” Wilks.
That group will combine to create a smooth transition from present to future for the team.
Blakes said he’s more than impressed with what the newcomers bring to the table.
“This is the best rookie class that I’ve seen in my 10 years,” Blakes said. “The future is bright for our team. You guys are going to be wowed by what these rookies bring to the table.”
So whether you’re looking for the rookies, the veterans or just a night of fun, head out to the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center and catch the Globetrotters during their stay in the area.
Tickets start at $27 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or the Civic Center’s box office.
Blakes wants to share his love with you.
His teammates have more than a solid reputation for putting on a show n the greatest show in all of basketball.
“You’re going to see some of the most amazing dunks that you’ve ever seen and some of the most amazing shots and passes,” Blakes said. “You’re also going to see some of the most amazing tricks with the basketball that you’ve probably never seen before. And at the end of the game, we sign autographs on the floor for 30 minutes afterwards. Not only are we the most entertaining team, we’re the most accessible. And we really think anyone who loves the game that doesn’t come out and see us is missing out.
“Please tell them to come out. We want everyone there.”
