yeah, synthetic is better than leather what a bs. synthetic lounge looks identical comes out of the production line why people still prefer leather lounge? fans pay to see the basketball in its art form not a scientific experiment.screw david stupid and his new plastic scientific toy. i am sure there is commericial reason for the ball manufacturer to push the new ball as it is cheap to make and with the official NBA endorsement they are going to sell like hot cakes.
I understand the NBA is a business and all, but the NCAA has been using similar composite balls for years. This really isn't that big of a deal.
Not that I'm happy they changed the ball, but I am happy that they're sticking with that decision. I don't think it would be smart to switch back at this point, and hopefully this will blow over within the first month or so.
This is from Mark Cuban's blog where he listed the findings/comparison of the new versus old ball. In summary: the new ball has more erratic bounces, is slippery when wet, doesn't bounce as high. In short: the new ball sucks !!
"It's like some mornings when you wake up, your hand was in the wrong position and you're numb on the fingers," the Rockets' Yao Ming said. I think we all know what it is called.
I have both the wilson synthetic ball they use in the ncaa and an indoor Spalding synthetic ball and they are worlds apart. The NCAA ball is definitely stickier but neither are as nice as a broken in leather ball.
This is the same ball that people have been playing with at the YMCA for years.... Leather balls take FOREVER to break in..... NBA players are wussies. DD
This kind of thing is exactly why I have trouble supporting PETA despite the fact I am steadfast believer in animal rights. Look at that quote! Do you know why it's there? Because Fran Blinebury is building a case against the new ball. How better to turn public opinion against the ball than mention that PETA endorses it? Effectively, he might as well have said "Al Quaeda has endorsed the switch because they enjoy seeing Shaq whine." p.s. It doesn't make any real animal rights activist feel better to hear the hides came from animals that were slaughtered for food because real animal rights activists don't believe animals should be slaughtered at all - for food or anything else. We are, afterall, animal RIGHTS activists and I think most people can agree the right to exist and not be slaughtered for profit is right up there at the top of the list in terms of rights everyone would like to have.
The players should determine the kind of ball they want to play the games with. Stern is coming off as a "jackass" on this one. Those who play the games should make this call.
I don't know the specific un-level playing field that the NBA seeks to eliminate with the new ball. But let me give you an example. When Karl Malone and John Stockton were on the Jazz, they were a pick-and-roll team who scored a disproportionate number of points on layups. They purposely over-inflated the balls and tightened the rim to make it harder on jump-shooting teams. It is definitely possible that a team could try gamesmanship like that. Possibly using a less broken-in ball when their opponent is known to have ball-handling problems.
You must not be a dribbler. These balls are good for shooting and that is about it. Dribbling these are totally different than a broken in leather ball. I have noticed players like Rafer, Tmac, and apparently Nash that can't dribble as good as usual. In order to dribble effectively, players like these need a bouncy ball with a good grip. You are correct that they might be overreacting but there is a difference between the two balls and it will take a while to get used to it since I guarantee you not one of the NBA players played ball at the Y this summer.
Ok . . Well . .there is this NEW Computer language and you now have to code in it exclusively none of the old functions you have created over their years work . . . When someone messes your tools of the trade I think it is unfair for someone OUTSIDE of the trade to call you a wussie for complaining about it Rocket River
Agreed, these guys should be able to score with a rubber kickball. Once everyone gets used to it, the b****in will stop. They're probably extremely nice and 100x better than any ball the common public uses when they play recreationally... Is there not ANYONE in the NBA that actually likes the new ball?!? Let's hear what they have to say...
I think it could take a long time to get used to. Especially if you've been in the league for a while. Why does anyone want to see a sloppier game???
Mike James is the only one I can think of who went on record saying that he liked the new ball and it was going to make his 3 point fg% even higher. Mind you, this is when teams were still in a bidding war for him.
OH COME ON NOW !!! We are talking about the same ball that people have been playing with for YEARS, yes it feels different than leather.... And whomever said I am not a dribbler is wrong, I play PG.....and the ball they are using is GREAT for grip, it can get slippery but not overly so..... Other leagues have been using it, the NBA will be fine too..... Prediction: No one will care in 1 month. DD
