Meadowlark Lemon dead

[ChicosBailBonds]

83 years old.  Saw him several times perform.  RIP

[naginiF]

Bummer - i can think of very few others that have left happy childhood memories with so many people

[Skitch]

I have some really good memories of seeing him at the Brown County Arena around this time of year. Always a showman.

[HouWarrior]

Bummer - i can think of very few others that have left happy childhood memories with so many people

This.

My Grandpa took my dad...My dad took me..I took my kids...a generational rite of passage.... Simply pure happiness and fun. 

The clown prince of basketball. Half court hooks, a bucket of water/confetti?, the rubber band ball, and the constant chatter. This great man had a gift of making you smile , laugh, and enjoy basketball as pure entertainment.

The 'Trotters were Worldwide ambassadors of BB, decades before David Stern saw this as a $$ opportunity.

My first "integrated" moment was with the 'Trotters. Born in Minneapolis, the town still spoke often of the Mikan led Lakers (dad actually guarded Vern Mickkelsen in HS). The 'Trotters beating the white world champ Lakers in '47 and '48 led to NBA integration

Grandpa was a WW1 vet who thought he was being PC to call people "coloreds" (oh yeah: it really was that bad back then). When I was 6, I remember him saying, ..."those colored boys act the fool and play silly most of the time, but when they got down to business they showed our Lakers they knew how to play better than any one we had." Now... that all sounds racist as heck...and surely it was ( still early '60s)...But for Gramps to show anyone this grudging respect...it was a "wow" moment for me .

On the way home, my dad explained the lesson. "Even Gramps is finally learning you must always respect a man first for who he is and what he does"  I never forgot that; thanks, 'Trotters.

RIP Meadowlark

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Loved him on the Scooby Doo guest appearances.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Saw them several times. Will never forget the time my Dad took us and we sat next to Goose Tatum, who had retired. we had a great time with him and loved  his anecdotes during the game. Meadowlark was the name of the franchise though as he was the most beloved

[ChicosBailBonds]

Saw them several times. Will never forget the time my Dad took us and we sat next to Goose Tatum, who had retired. we had a great time with him and loved  his anecdotes during the game. Meadowlark was the name of the franchise though as he was the most beloved

Good post.

For me, it was two men.  Meadowlark and Curly Neal.  I remember some of the other guys, too...like Baby Face Paige, but those were the two I grew up with and enjoyed seeing in person.

Tremendous ambassador.

Houston's comments were similar to my dad's, though not in the same vein on race.  My dad used to tell me stories about how the Trotters would go in and beat the college all-star teams.  They were immensely talented.

[77ncaachamps]

This.

My Grandpa took my dad...My dad took me..I took my kids...a generational rite of passage.... Simply pure happiness and fun. 

The clown prince of basketball. Half court hooks, a bucket of water/confetti?, the rubber band ball, and the constant chatter. This great man had a gift of making you smile , laugh, and enjoy basketball as pure entertainment.

The 'Trotters were Worldwide ambassadors of BB, decades before David Stern saw this as a $$ opportunity.

My first "integrated" moment was with the 'Trotters. Born in Minneapolis, the town still spoke often of the Mikan led Lakers (dad actually guarded Vern Mickkelsen in HS). The 'Trotters beating the white world champ Lakers in '47 and '48 led to NBA integration

Grandpa was a WW1 vet who thought he was being PC to call people "coloreds" (oh yeah: it really was that bad back then). When I was 6, I remember him saying, ..."those colored boys act the fool and play silly most of the time, but when they got down to business they showed our Lakers they knew how to play better than any one we had." Now... that all sounds racist as heck...and surely it was ( still early '60s)...But for Gramps to show anyone this grudging respect...it was a "wow" moment for me .

On the way home, my dad explained the lesson. "Even Gramps is finally learning you must always respect a man first for who he is and what he does"  I never forgot that; thanks, 'Trotters.

RIP Meadowlark

We need a LIKE button on 'Scoop for posts like this!

Thumbs up, Houston!