The Interview: Globetrotters great "Sweet" Lou Dunbar

THE HARLEM Globetrotters barnstorm the region starting Friday on their 90th anniversary tour, beginning each game with a video tribute to the recently deceased Meadowlark Lemon and Marques Haynes and ending with a win - fingers crossed! - over their new rivals, the World All-Stars.

The Trotters split up with their forever foes the Washington Generals last summer, after beating them some 16,000 times.

Sienna I. Miller talked last Friday with former Globetrotters player (1977-2002) and current head coach "Sweet" Lou Dunbar about Meadowlark's legacy, Globetrotter history, and what it's like to appear on TV as a character in a Hanna-Barbera cartoon.

Q You've played in front of more than 10 million people on six continents. What is the single most astonishing thing that you've experienced as a Harlem Globetrotter?

I think it was when I met Pope John Paul II when he was made an honorary member of the team. Meeting the president is great, but the Pope! You can't get bigger than that.

Q You've also been an animated cartoon character, in Hanna-Barbera's The Super Globetrotters in 1979. What was that like?

That was a pretty big deal. I was the guy who pulled stuff out of my Afro.

I will never forget one of the episodes, when we were traveling in the Middle East and this merchant had given us a ride on his wagon.

When we got to our destination he wanted to get paid. He didn't ask for money. He wanted three pigs, five chickens and a cow. So I reached into my Afro and pulled the animals out.

Nate Branch, one of my teammates, looked at me and said, "Sweet Lou, you're better than travelers' checks."

Q You played your rookie year alongside Meadowlark Lemon. What are your fondest memories of him as a teammate?

It was great playing with someone that you had idolized on television. He definitely revolutionized our showmanship and was just all around a great guy.

I remember when he would do his hook shot and make the crowd go crazy. He was definitely the star.

Q As coach, what do you pass along about Meadowlark to the players on today's squad?

Not just Meadowlark, but also Fred "Curly" Neal and all of the other guys that came before and paved the way.

I make sure that they not only know the tricks, but the history and the legacies of these people, too. Things weren't the same back then. When [Globetrotter teams of the Jim Crow era] would go play somewhere, the hotels they would stay in would be segregated between blacks and whites.

It's important that they know these things so that they can value being on the team.

Q You are the sixth all-time leading scorer at the University of Houston and were a 4th round draft pick for the Sixers in 1975. Do you regret that you never landed an NBA contract?

No. I don't regret it at all. Being a Harlem Globetrotter was my calling. I was meant to do this. Just seeing all of the smiles and happiness in the crowd really just makes me feel great.

Q When you watch the NBA All-Star game, do you see the influence of Globetrotter showmanship?

I think, early on, with guys like Magic Johnson. Those guys respected what we did in the game and incorporated that type of showmanship into their playing.

Q When you recruit for the Globetrotters, what level of player is within your reach? Are their specific qualities that you look for.

We're looking for people who can play the game. We're always looking for great basketball players who have great personalities.

We want people to get an education first, too, so we recruit people who are graduating college. All of our players are well-educated.

Q Coming from a team that is used to winning, do you have any advice for Jay Wright and his Villanova Wildcats?

I would tell his players, "Don't get comfortable being number one. Keep working hard."

Q Is there any special trick to getting a basketball to spin on your finger?

Ha ha! You just got to keep practicing. Come to our game, and we'll show you how.

The Globetrotters play March 4 at the Liacouras Center, March 5 at Trenton's Sun National Bank Center, March 6 and March 12 at the Wells Fargo Center, March 8 at Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Del., and March 10 at Pine Belt Arena in Toms River, N.J., March 11 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Times and ticket details at harlemglobetrotters.com.