NBA unveils new ball, first change in 35 years

NBA unveils new ball, first change in 35 years
Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Sure, the shooting in the NBA might improve. David Stern sees another benefit to the league's new official game ball, though.

As the commissioner joked Wednesday, now his signature gets to go on the ball twice.

That is just one of the changes on the new game ball, which was unveiled by league and Spalding officials at a news conference at the NBA Store and will be put into use at the start of the 2006-07 season.

The biggest, and most important, difference is that the ball is no longer leather. Instead, it's made of a microfiber composite that allows for a much better and more consistent grip.

The ability to grip the leather was a driving reason behind the first change to the ball in more than 35 years.

"That really became a challenge, particularly when the ball was wet," said executive vice president of operations Stu Jackson.

Jackson said the ball was tested at the 2005 All-Star Game and predraft camp. The league then asked Spalding to make some changes, and it was brought back for more testing at this year's All-Star Game and in the Development League.

Most players will be familiar with the feel of the new ball. Stern pointed out that leather balls were no longer used at the high school or collegiate level, and Jackson estimated that "99 percent" of the league's players grew up using only a composite ball.

"This is another step as we all work together to improve the game of basketball," Stern said.

Gone also is the old eight-panel design, replaced by one featuring two panels -- each bearing the signature "David J. Stern."

Boston Celtics All-Star Paul Pierce and former NBA player Kenny Smith both pointed to the inconsistencies of a leather ball, which they said needed to be broken in before it felt right. Plus, the feel of the balls differed from arena to arena.

Every one of the balls should now feel, grip and bounce the same.

"Maybe I can cut down on my turnovers next year," Pierce said.

Pics?

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44822http://www.hoopsworld.com/news/uploads/newball.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...V64024996_.jpg
:bling :bling :bling :bling :bling

I just hope it has better grip than the old balls.

maybe less turnovers for ....

Now even small-handed slashers can palm the ball all the way from the arc to the rim!

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Originally Posted by sa_butta

I just hope it has better grip than the old balls.

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Maybe they could start playing with the Pizza Hut final four basketballs. Those things have great grip. :)

Seriously, I think the smartest thing for a league randomly changing the rules every year in a desperate attempt to increase offense would be for them to suddenly change the ball. Way to go, kids.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obstructed_View

Maybe they could start playing with the Pizza Hut final four basketballs. Those things have great grip. :)

Seriously, I think the smartest thing for a league randomly changing the rules every year in a desperate attempt to increase offense would be for them to suddenly change the ball. Way to go, kids.

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Personally I think Wilson produces better balls than Spalding, ie-Jet balls are awesome.

My balls have plenty of grip...I can't get my hands off of them.

If they are going to change the ball they should change the color scheme too.

http://www.athlonsports.com/store/images/drjababkb.gif

C'mon, they took the three point line, why not the colors too?

Will this be expensive?


Heh nevermind.....


It's 99 bucks preorder.

Nazr, I'm sure, is all for the better grip!!!

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Originally Posted by Trifecta

Nazr, I'm sure, is all for the better grip!!!

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I'll bet RC will spin it that way when he's working the phones to deal him in a sign and trade.

"With this new ball he'll be a 20/15 guy in a heartbeat!"

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Originally Posted by sa_butta

Personally I think Wilson produces better balls than Spalding, ie-Jet balls are awesome.

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I am with ya there...I love Jets.

It looks sort of round like the old one....
http://www.delafont.com/specialty_ac...xmincey-95.jpg

I thought the NBA was gonna bring in a ball that looked all tacky.
Maybe all black. :lol

I agree Butta. Jet balls are the shit.

David Fuckin Stern's name will now be on the ball twice. What an egomaniacal loser this little hobbit is. I hope the lighting fixture falls on his mellon head tonight at the draft.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmoxFZyX...g&name=360x360

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images...4Pl_normal.jpg Marc Stein @TheSteinLine



Sneak peak at what the Wilson ball will look like starting in 2021-22 ... courtesy of notre envoye special Evan Fournier from the @OrlandoMagic Spalding -- which replaced Wilson as the league's official ball manufacturer in 1983 -- remains the NBA supplier for the coming season
This Tweet is unavailable

9:47am · 12 Nov 2020 · TweetDeck

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images...4Pl_normal.jpg Marc Stein @TheSteinLine



Wilson, I'm told, is in the process of sending samples like these to various teams to collect feedback as they work toward the finished product that will be introduced for the NBA's 2021-22 season
10:07am · 12 Nov 2020 · TweetDeck

I vaguely remember a ball change a long time ago (material change) that ended up hurting the players hands and they had to go back to the original ball. Maybe I'm mis-remembering it though

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Originally Posted by stnick2261

I vaguely remember a ball change a long time ago (material change) that ended up hurting the players hands and they had to go back to the original ball. Maybe I'm mis-remembering it though

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Yep

It would also have those weird bounces off the rim and something just lay flat there :lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stnick2261

I vaguely remember a ball change a long time ago (material change) that ended up hurting the players hands and they had to go back to the original ball. Maybe I'm mis-remembering it though

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Yep, that one was a new synthetic material with a different panel layout. A strong set of stars rallied against it (including Nash, who said practicing and playing with it made his fingers bleed). I don't think it even made it a whole season.

This new ball is compared to Wilson's EVO line which, by and large, casual basketball players seem to love. But we'll see what the stars think about it.

It's also not so easy to just switch back to the old ball now that you have a new sponsor.

Well when I read the headline, I fully expected it to be pink. So that's a relief. It isn't the first change in 35 years, though. (I'm sure there's some technicality behind that statement.) The synthetic ball was in for a while, but players bitched and they changed back.

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Originally Posted by ZeusWillJudge

Well when I read the headline, I fully expected it to be pink. So that's a relief. It isn't the first change in 35 years, though. (I'm sure there's some technicality behind that statement.) The synthetic ball was in for a while, but players bitched and they changed back.

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Wel, if you look at the date when this was bumped, it WAS the first ball charge in 35 years.