European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 10, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A amps photos by Ken Clauson curly Johnson a second generation Globetrotter dribbles behind his Back.  dribbling and Sty Waling slam Dunk by Ken Clauson Bremerhaven Bureau the Harlem globetrotters were a serious basketball team until 1939. That s when they found themselves on top 112-5 against a hapless opponent and started clowning around much to the Delight of the audience. And that according to team lore is How the legend was born. The 1991 globetrotters Are now touring Europe wrapping their slapstick antics and Basic buffoonery in a two hour family roadshow that also includes a display of genuine athletic ability. The globetrotters comedy routines Are worked into a Semi real basketball game against their travelling opponents who for Tours outside the United states Are the Boston shamrocks. Players on both teams Are former College athletes some of whom played pro Ball. At a signal from the Bench the teams shift into stretches of straight serious basketball highlighted by demonic dribbling and sky walking 360-degree slam dunks. The globetrotters Are selective when recruiting new members said coach Russell Ellington. They look at about 5,000 players a year invite about a dozen to Camp and add maybe one or two to the team. Quot we look for three things Quot Ellington said. Quot the most important is they be great basketball players. Second they be got to be durable because we play about 298 games a year. And third they be got to have some congeniality. We re a family Type  the schedule can be grueling with Only a couple of nights off a month sometimes said Sterling Quot smooth Quot Forbes a four year Veteran. R Quot what keeps me going Are the fans the kids and the smiles on their faces Quot Forbes said. Quot especially the kids. It kind of rejuvenates me every  the newest member of the team travelling Europe which is one of two Globetrotter squads is 26-year-old Tim Quot Tubbs Quot Price. Quot the Rookie Quot As he s called by other globetrotters played two years of professional basketball in the Continental basketball association and says being a Globetrotter is easier. Quot there s a lot less stress than in pro Ball Quot he said. Quot Here we just come out to have a Good time every  like All the globetrotters he said he sees himself As a role Model for children. He looks Forward to playing in Boston his Hometown and talking with children there. Quot Public speaking is my second profession Quot said curly Johnson a 25-year-old guard on the team for four years. Quot i teach children about  Johnson is a second generation Globetrotter following his father onto the court. Quot my dad had played against them and then played with them Quot he said. Quot so growing up being the son of a Globetrotter you re not the average basketball player. In the fourth and fifth Grade i was criticized for being a hot dog for passing behind my Back and dribbling Between my legs. I kind of like seeing those people now and telling them How i i making a living doing those things they told me not to  Check the on stage listing on pages 14-15 for the globetrotters european tour schedule. 6 stripes Magazine october 10, 1991