NBA Going Back To Leather Ball

Mike · 12-11-2006, 06:46 PM

In a stunning reversal, NBA commissioner David Stern has decided to shelve the league's new microfiber composite basketball after just a few months of use and switch back to the old leather model for all games starting Jan. 1.

"Our players' response to this particular composite ball has been consistently negative and we are acting accordingly," NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "Although testing performed by Spalding and the NBA demonstrated that the new composite basketball was more consistent than leather, and statistically there has been an improvement in shooting, scoring, and ball-related turnovers, the most important statistic is the view of our players."

"In the meantime, we will work with our players and our partners at Spalding to determine the best possible ball for the NBA."
ESPN.com - NBA - Stern decides that NBA will switch back to leather ball

nicholete · 12-11-2006, 08:34 PM

No one liked those new balls.

DFrank9 · 12-12-2006, 03:12 PM

did you hear on SC that 2 complaints were filed?

catman · 12-15-2006, 10:15 PM

It'll take the players a few games to get used to the "old" ball again, but they should be a bit happier.

mfKRush · 12-16-2006, 07:58 PM

This is perfect, I love when things flop and fail. Im a big Chris Wienke fan!

Birdman · 12-17-2006, 10:29 PM

The "new" NBA Ball was NEVER EXPLAINED. Why on earth did we need this new ball to begin with? Was there a problem with the old balls? What the hell was this about? Good riddance microfiber.

Mike · 12-17-2006, 11:04 PM

I doubt that it is gone for good. Just like other sports, basketball is looking for increased statistical performances. the microfiber ball brings more consistant shooting, and less turnovers.

the unexpected side-effect is the abuse it brought to the players hands.

Expect the NBA to find another solution, but the leather ball will not be with us much longer. I don't like it, but that is just how it is until fans step up and fight the change, which is unlikely to happen as most are hung up with stats.

DFrank9 · 12-18-2006, 02:21 PM

so it was a badly made ball?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My Fantasy B-Ball Team. How good is it?	Birdman	The Outlaw Hideout	1	11-18-2006 03:27 PM
Texans Have Problems Rushing The Ball	STAFF	Outlaw NFL Talk	2	10-16-2006 09:56 PM
McNabb to run the ball more	Mike	Outlaw NFL Talk	5	07-29-2006 06:40 AM
Which team will turn the ball over first?	Mike	Outlaw NFL Talk	6	02-05-2006 06:21 PM
Chad Pennington throwing the ball again	Mike	Outlaw NFL Talk	2	06-19-2005 06:47 PM


12-11-2006, 06:46 PM	#1
Mike who me? Admin Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: L.A. (Lower Arkansas) Posts: 30,006 vCash: 14556924 Donate Blog Entries: 18	In a stunning reversal, NBA commissioner David Stern has decided to shelve the league's new microfiber composite basketball after just a few months of use and switch back to the old leather model for all games starting Jan. 1. "Our players' response to this particular composite ball has been consistently negative and we are acting accordingly," NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "Although testing performed by Spalding and the NBA demonstrated that the new composite basketball was more consistent than leather, and statistically there has been an improvement in shooting, scoring, and ball-related turnovers, the most important statistic is the view of our players." "In the meantime, we will work with our players and our partners at Spalding to determine the best possible ball for the NBA." ESPN.com - NBA - Stern decides that NBA will switch back to leather ball


12-11-2006, 08:34 PM	#2
nicholete Hope comes with batteries Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 10,366 vCash: 7754030 Donate	No one liked those new balls.


12-12-2006, 03:12 PM	#3
DFrank9 Outlaw Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: IL Posts: 2,943 vCash: 46 Donate	did you hear on SC that 2 complaints were filed?


12-15-2006, 10:15 PM	#4
catman Baseball "Expert" Premium Member Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 7,751 vCash: 66581 Donate	It'll take the players a few games to get used to the "old" ball again, but they should be a bit happier.


12-16-2006, 07:58 PM	#5
mfKRush Outlaw Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 118 vCash: 15596 Donate	This is perfect, I love when things flop and fail. Im a big Chris Wienke fan!


12-17-2006, 10:29 PM	#6
Birdman Outlaw Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,132 vCash: 88417 Donate	The "new" NBA Ball was NEVER EXPLAINED. Why on earth did we need this new ball to begin with? Was there a problem with the old balls? What the hell was this about? Good riddance microfiber.


12-17-2006, 11:04 PM	#7
Mike who me? Admin Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: L.A. (Lower Arkansas) Posts: 30,006 vCash: 14556924 Donate Blog Entries: 18	I doubt that it is gone for good. Just like other sports, basketball is looking for increased statistical performances. the microfiber ball brings more consistant shooting, and less turnovers. the unexpected side-effect is the abuse it brought to the players hands. Expect the NBA to find another solution, but the leather ball will not be with us much longer. I don't like it, but that is just how it is until fans step up and fight the change, which is unlikely to happen as most are hung up with stats.


12-18-2006, 02:21 PM	#8
DFrank9 Outlaw Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: IL Posts: 2,943 vCash: 46 Donate	so it was a badly made ball?