Stern is such an arrogant ass. I trust the players more then some old, arrogant suit who thinks he single-handedly made the NBA. Use the old ball you arrogant prick.
Play with my balls. Man that Stern is a riot and a half. Dude, the NBA will be fine with out Shaq playing. Just like how the NBA still spins after Magic retired, after Larry retired, after Michael retired.
Yeah, the NBA looks like it's really going to be hurting when that ****** retires. There are just no young star players at all...
Most players use that ball all over the country...NO one plays with a leather ball anymore they take FOREVER to break in..... DD
It is pretty obvious why Stern won't go back to the old ball, even if 100% of the players in the NBA were to say it sucks.... The reason is money. I'm sure the NBA has some deal with Spalding to get money off of it. It's said how Stern had that promotion of "opening the black box". In the end it turned out to be a ****ty ball. He should quit being a prick about it and go back to the old ball. The players are the ones that use it. No Stern. The only time I've liked what Cuban has done is him hiring someone to inspect the ball.
i don't really like stern's " i am bigger than basketball" stance that he takes on everything and really i don't understand why they made the change after all this time. that said, all these people b****ing will be completely fine. they are pro ball players and these balls at the minimum can't be worse than what any of them grew up with. there may be some adjustment period but i don't see it being an issue for too long.
It is the same ball everyone else uses...heck, gregory gym (the gym at UT) uses the microfiber composites. It doesn't feel THAT bad. I am sure they will get use to it.
Adding a new ball almost seems like a win-win no matter what for Stern. No matter how it's received it's a good promotion. New basketballs on sale (keeps Spalding happy). Talk in the media, between fans, and online about the ball. Hell the negative publicity about the new ball might even be better than if the players liked it. Maybe they won't sell as many new balls (I don't know who'd buy them even if they are good- they cost like $100), but now there is a commotion about it. Brings some more attention to the upcoming season. Now players are talking about it and the media has picked up on it. They talk about it on ESPN a lot. Anyways, I think Stern is a prick. Another thing I don't get is the "no stockings rule". Who really gives a ****?
its not the problem of money. It is just simply face. I mean if you proposed a ball that is going to be a "ball of years to come", you simply cannot back off your stance as you will be labelled " weakling". This has many more adverse effects such as you will not able to stand strong in other disputes with players.
1. I don't expect Professional Graphic Artist to use the same MS PAINT that I use 2. Stern is my Fav commish because he has done more for his league and has quietly maintained a GrEAT balance between Player and Manager power [Baseball = to player run .. NFL = too Owner Run] Finally, If the players don't like the ball. . . .they don't like the ball They should not be beaten in to submission about it They can speak their minds . . just like anyone else Rocket RIver
Bravo for Stern. All the players complaining about the ball will get used to it in time. Ten years from now, they'll wonder how anyone managed to play with a leather ball. Everything has to be a soap opera with NBA players.
Remember who you're talking about, players that get a brand new pair of sneakers before each game and get a $200 per diem every night of a road trip. Those ATM fees are really outrageous, after all...
