NBA - Ball Reversal

7 Comments December 12, 2006 2732 Views

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Spalding’s microfiber composite ball

This season, the NBA introduced a new game ball. This was only the second time that a game ball was changed after 60 years and the first since 35 years of the league’s existence. Aside from the new design and material, the new game ball manufactured by Spalding is supposed to have a better grip, better feel and more consistent than the previously used leather balls.

Just a week after the 2006-07 NBA season started, the players began complaining about the new ball. Superstars like Lebron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade and even MVP Steve Nash voiced their opinions regarding the new game ball.

“It’s not a good basketball,” “It kind of feels like a basketball you buy for your kids at Christmas or something.” - Lebron James

“I think the new ball is terrible,” “It’s the worst decision some expert, whoever did it, made. … The NBA’s been around how long? A hundred years? Fifty years? So to change it now, whoever that person is needs his college degree revoked. It’s a terrible decision.” - Shaquille O’Neal

Last week, NBA Commissioner David Stern acknowledged that the introduction of the new game ball was mishandled. And that it lacked input from the players who are the ones who use the ball.

Earlier today, David Stern announced that the NBA would be scrapping the microfiber composite game ball and bring back the leather balls starting January 1st.

Here’s what some NBA players have to say about it:

“For the league to be successful, obviously the players have to be happy. The basketball is the most important thing to us. Like I said before, you can change the dress code, you can make our shorts shorter, but when you take our basketball away from us, that’s not a transition we handle. … I’m very excited. You see my smile, right? If we’ve got practice tomorrow, I’ll be shooting with that [old] ball tomorrow.” - LeBron James

“After playing with an authentic leather ball your whole life and going to a composite was very difficult, but after playing with it every day you become used to it. It’s going to be another arduous time for us to adjust back.” - Steve Nash

“The players, it was just tough on them because I think [the NBA] kind of just sprung the ball on the players instead of giving them fair warning. When you’re playing with something for so long and then it’s time for change, it’s hard to accept.” - Paul Pierce

What I have to say about this? Well, it’s about time! I was surprised when the NBA first announced about changing the game ball and I really disliked the idea. It’s good to see the players happy as well.

Image source: New York Times