The Leather Ball Will Return

[-BHZMAFIA-]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2694335

Leather ball will return on Jan. 1
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

NBA commissioner David Stern, in a stunning reversal, has decided to shelve the 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, according to sources close to the situation.

The decision will be formally announced by the league Tuesday, sources told ESPN.com.

Despite an avalanche of player complaints about the new synthetic model from the first day of training camp in October, skepticism was high among players that Stern would consent to a change during the season. But with a number of prominent players complaining of cuts on their hands caused by the new ball's high-friction cover -- Phoenix's Steve Nash and New Jersey's Jason Kidd among them -- Stern was forced to concede that an in-season swap was unavoidable with the new ball inflicting injuries.

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com.

Finally, Stern can admit that he was wrong for once.

[Scotty]

how would you feel, they were talking about it the other day on the nuggz vs heat game and they said that if a substantial number of players are genuienly unhappy with it they will review it and possibly go back to the old one, but ii didn't think they could bring it back mid season

[cyanide]

When reported injuries came out, even with Ray Allen saying that his hands are ultra-dry no matter how much moisturizer he puts on, because the ball absorbs so much moisture, there had to be a change.

Good for Stern to back away when he should; but there has to be a better approach with the research for better balls.

[Matt]

there has to be a better approach with the research for better balls.

yep......get one to every player and get them to vote

NBA did a good thing here. Admitting it's mistake and making changes on the fly.

[iG®]

there has to be a better approach with the research for better balls.

yep......get one to every player and get them to vote

NBA did a good thing here. Admitting it's mistake and making changes on the fly.

No, they should've listen NBA players from day one.

[BigKaboom2]

I know I'm being kind of picky, but this season probably needs an asterisk on it or something - there's no telling what sort of things might have happened differently up until now using the old ball.

[Drex]

Asterisks are for little whiny bitches. No offense BK2, but you can't change the past.

[RSox]

Maybe Ben Wallace will be good now.

[Gundy]

I know I'm being kind of picky, but this season probably needs an asterisk on it or something - there's no telling what sort of things might have happened differently up until now using the old ball.

That's kind of ridiculous.

[BigKaboom2]

I told you that I know I'm being kind of picky...

I'm just saying that if guys' hands are all cut up in the fourth quarter of a game, they're going to play somewhat differently and maybe experience some pain while shooting, for example.

[Axel]

I liked how Mark Cuban attacked the issue - with highly paid scientists.

[Colin]

I know I'm being kind of picky, but this season probably needs an asterisk on it or something - there's no telling what sort of things might have happened differently up until now using the old ball.

Everyone was using the ball, therefore, no advantage or disadvantage to anyone.

[Laxation]

I know I'm being kind of picky, but this season probably needs an asterisk on it or something - there's no telling what sort of things might have happened differently up until now using the old ball.

Everyone was using the ball, therefore, no advantage or disadvantage to anyone.

If players are better with the new ball, then they have an advantage over players who are better with the old ball

[Dro]

I know I'm being kind of picky, but this season probably needs an asterisk on it or something - there's no telling what sort of things might have happened differently up until now using the old ball.

LOL, that's ridiculous. It's not like these first 20 games are determining who the championship this season is, and it's not like the best teams right now are going to degress because of the change.

[Abctest123]

The alarming thing about the new ball according to the article to me, was the fact that players were getting "paper-cut like" cuts on their hands with the composite ball. Agreeing with everyone else that its good that Stern actually admitted he was wrong here.

Quick question, at the bottom of the article, it says something about the NBA being the last pro-league in the world to play with a leather ball. I was wondering if anyone knew how different the Euroleague ball is.

[arrell]

It's pretty lame seeing an professional body make a unprofessional move, but hey, it's for the good of the players and that's all that matters.

Some quotes I found from USAtoday regarding the new ball:

Preseason talk:

• "It will be great to get a ball that just feels the same no matter where you are, and then it'll really give you that comfort that you need, either home or away. I think the grip is nice. I'll be able to do more tricks with it. It feels really good." —Dwyane Wade, Miami

•"When you play in different cities, the ball may be a little newer or may be a little worn out, but this ball right here, it seems like it's going to stay the same, so that's a positive thing." —Chris Paul, New Orleans/Oklahoma City

•"We do have a month to get it going. Right now I would say that the basketball sticks to the floor; it sticks to the backboard. It is different." —Steve Nash, Phoenix

In-season chatter:

•"The ball is different; we've all had complaints. It's changed a lot of what we are and who we are. At the beginning of the year, I kept an open mind to it. Overall, you see the league, shots aren't like they used to be. Every player I've talked to, to a man is in disagreement with the ball." —Ray Allen, Seattle

•"The only thing that we love the most is the basketball. That's your comfort. I mean, without your basketball, it doesn't work. That was my biggest problem, was, why would you change something that means so much to us? " —LeBron James, Cleveland

•"I just need to keep my hands from getting too dry because when they get dry, the ball just tears them apart. It's kind of like paper cuts." — Nash, Phoenix

Monday's reactions:

•"It's just stupid for them to go back now. It took three months to get used to the new ball, and it's going to take one to two months to go back. They should have waited until the offseason." —Shawn Marion, Phoenix, told Arizona Republic

•"The basketball is the most important thing to us. I didn't think the ball would be switched in the same season. As players we're very excited." — James, Cleveland

•"One day we're going to play with one ball, and the next day we're going to play with another one. It's just like the park. … Whoever brings the ball on Jan. 1, that's the one we're going to play with." — Doc Rivers, Boston coach

[Andrew]

It's funny to see players and coaches complaining about the midseason switch after all the complaints about the ball in the first place; they've been given what they asked for and they're still not happy.

Kudos to the league for acknowledging they didn't handle the situation with the new ball as well as they could have and going back to the tried and true ball for the interim. Perhaps next time their research could involve more input from the players themselves and not David Stern's personal assessment of the way it handles.

[eisfeld]

•"One day we're going to play with one ball, and the next day we're going to play with another one. It's just like the park. … Whoever brings the ball on Jan. 1, that's the one we're going to play with." — Doc Rivers, Boston coach

Maybe the best statement here regarding the ball issue.

[Patr1ck]

Funny what Steve Nash said, considering that he licks his hands when playing with the old ball.

I hope they decide to keep the new design of the ball in the future, regardless of what material they use.

Mofo,

New Official ball of Euroleague Basketball.12-PANEL design. Synthetic leather. Deep pebble & scuff resistant outer cover. Nylon wound. Butyl bladder

http://www.euroleague-store.net/eurolea ... lten_bge_7

[J@3]

Funny what Steve Nash said, considering that he licks his hands when playing with the old ball.

Yeah, and I remember him saying about the new ball that he wouldn't have to lick his fingers anymore. Anyone watching high-def games should look for blood.

[Cloudy]

Why don't they make a new ball with the same design by using leather? Leather isn't that expensive, it doesn't use up much of nature's resources too...

I don't think it's too nice to change mid-season, just like what Marion said.. "Stupid"

[maes]

The entire point of the new ball is the material.

Leather feels better IMO but you have to break it in when you get a new one, and then after a while it starts balding and losing its grip. That makes every leather ball a little different, and eventually you have to toss out the good ones. And brand new ones aren't the best to play with either.

Like all of you, i've played with both leather & composite and I have no idea what these guys are talking about with regards to composite balls cutting your hand...the NBA composite must be really f'd up.

I also don't think the NBA was "to the man" in agreement that the ball was bad. From one of the league's better shooters:

"Why are they changing the ball?'' Korver said in the locker room to nearby teammate Steven Hunter. ``How stupid,'' Hunter said, shaking his head. ``The ball is fine.'

[grusom]

Why don't they make a new ball with the same design by using leather? Leather isn't that expensive, it doesn't use up much of nature's resources too...

I like the idea of killing animals in order to do sports. I vote leather.

[PAMPERS]

They should play with them bouncy rubber balls

[Shi]

Finally Miami can come back to winning