Getting a grip on change Rockets endorse league's return to leather basketballs http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4438334.html By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Of all the duties that fall to Rockets equipment manager Jay Namoc and assistant Tony Nila, this would seem relatively enjoyable and preferable to anything involving other people's sweaty clothes. So Namoc and Nila did something the Rockets rarely have needed them to do. They spent much of the past few weeks working the new off the new supply of "old" basketballs. With a new shipment of leather basketballs in immediate need of breaking in before today's first practice and Wednesday's game against the SuperSonics — the Rockets' first since the move from microfiber to leather — the Rockets, like other teams, have rushed to get the balls in game shape. "I told them to get out there, invite six of their friends and have some pickup games with those new balls," Rockets forward Shane Battier said. "There will be a period we have to break them in; you will hear a couple gripes from players. Once they get broken in, it will be just like the old days." This was what NBA players had wanted, though some have expressed concern about making another adjustment. McGrady on board Even the Rockets' most vehement opponent of the new ball, Tracy McGrady, had a moment of ambivalence after scoring 31 and 38 points in the last two games with microfiber. "Ummmmm, yeah, yeah, but kind of, sort of, because I've been rolling with the composite ball the last couple of games," McGrady said when asked if he was happy with the change. "But there's going to be a (different) ball coming in, and I'm excited about it. "I could do more things with the (leather) ball. With the (microfiber) ball we're playing with now, I can't palm it at all. I can't really get a great grip on it. With the (leather) ball, I can do all sorts of things. I'm excited about having it back." Teams began receiving a shipment of 10 new leather balls Dec. 14, three days after the league announced its planned return to leather. Another shipment of 10 new leather balls and four used balls was received Dec. 20, and 26 more balls were due. Players had been critical of the microfiber ball since training camp, arguing it was sticky when new and unusually slippery when wet with sweat the balls were designed not to absorb. The National Basketball Players Association filed a charge of unfair labor practices, contending the ball was cutting players' fingertips. "I'm very excited about going back to the old ball, because that's something I'm used to, I grew up with since the day I stepped foot in this league," forward Juwan Howard said. "I was one of those guys that was totally against the new ball, because I thought that was a very important part of the game, one important piece of equipment we all really cared about that was taken away without input as players." But scoring is up The numbers have not indicated problems with the microfiber balls. Scoring, shooting percentages and free-throw percentages are up from the first two months of last season. But now they face an adjustment. "It will come back pretty quickly," Battier said. "The rookies will find it a much more difficult transition than the veterans. "It's a basketball. At the end of the day, if you go back to childhood, we all have some story of a lumpy, lopsided rubber ball you had to shoot perfectly to make it. We've all played with worse. We got used to our baby." That there are worse balls out there than the microfiber models did not cut it as a Spalding advertising pitch. But Spalding will get another chance, with the company working more closely with players to come up with something synthetic or from leather that players can endorse. But the 2006-07 microfiber has been retired. MORE ON THE LEATHER BALL Teammates believe the NBA's change of heart ended a slump for Kevin Garnett. Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett, one of the loudest critics of the synthetic ball, had a big night with the return of the leather ball. Garnett was 12-of-18 from the field, scored 32 points and had 14 rebounds in Minnesota's 102-96 victory over Charlotte on Monday night. ``Hallelujah for the new ball. ... There is a God,'' Garnett said. Jan. 1, 2007, 11:18PM ROCKETS NOTES Head's cool on any kind of shot http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl//4438337.html By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle As much as Rockets guard Luther Head reliably has made late-game, even last-second, shots last season and this season, he said his approach to making key shots is not complicated. He is just happy to get to shoot. "It's a shot for me," Head said. "I don't care how much time is left on the clock. I just think about making it. It has nothing to do with me or the time; I just like shooting the ball." Head has made 48.7 percent of his 3-pointers this season, fourth best in the NBA. His 75 3-pointers, in an average of just 28.4 minutes per game, are tied for third most. In the fourth quarter this season, he is making 51.7 percent of his 3s. But after making two 3-pointers in the final two minutes Sunday, he missed a free throw, but making his second attempt to give the Rockets a three-point lead. ``I don't know man, what happened with that free throw,'' Head said. ``I won't say it's harder (to make a late free throw than a 3-pointer). I had so much confidence that it would go in, that's why I shot it short. When I shot the second one, I knew it was going in, but I was still thinking about the second one. '' Veteran help In Sunday's win, Rockets forward Juwan Howard went to the line 13 times (making 12 free throws, including one technical), almost all by tricking the young Grizzlies out of position. "I just try to be a smart basketball player," Howard said. "I saw Stromile ( Swift) digging his hand in there, trying to dig the ball out. "As a veteran ballplayer, I've got to do what's best to help the team and help myself to get an advantage." Howard had a season-high 22 points against a particularly athletic frontcourt. "He got to the line 13 times, and he's not a guy that gets there a lot," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "To get there, he's not going to blow by them and make them foul him. So he's got to trick them. "He pulled one out where the guy's arm was extended and he pulled the ball up through him. Those are great tricks you learn through the years."
So the new microfiber ball is responsible for T-Mac's turnovers. (At least that's what I infer from his comments). Hopefully old leather really brings back vintage T-Mac like it did for Garnett.
Interesting that he couldn't palm the new ball. I have noticed that he seemed to be losing a lot more balls when he drove to the basket. Maybe the switch will help him change that.
The one thing I've been waiting for TMac to do is the backdoor alleyoop that we seemed to get at least once every game in 04-05. There were a couple times he almost got it the last couple games (first time this season I even saw him try and elevate for it) but he lost the handle in the air. Maybe this is why. The ball is a welcome change given how awful we've shot free throws the last two games. I don't think it's the ball's fault, but it might make a difference mentally for the team as a whole on the line. McGrady seems like a kid out there with his "fixed" back and now a new ball to play with. We can only hope it lasts.
"backing it in, backing it in"? "backs to the wall at America West Arena for the Rockets" ?? Why? On topic, is the design of the ball going to stay? I like the cabbage-patch look from the side.
Unfortunately, Luther Head and Rafer Alston are not Jon Barry. McGrady doesn't cut quite as sharply as he used to, and he isn't as confident in the air, but we also had much better passers two years ago than we do now.
Good point, but I don't remember it being just a JB-TMac thing...but certainly JB found a few more of those than anyone else could. He seems to be increasing in confidence in the air. Like I said, he's seemed to try for that alley a couple times the last 2 games but bailed out. The confidence is probably a large part of it, but I'm hoping the grip on the ball is a big part, too. Another thing I just realized thinking about TMac not being to palm this ball...he used to be on top of his "Macness" (thanks JVG) when he would go to the high post and palm the ball way away from his body. He also would do that out on the perimeter. Man, how soon have I forgotten "old TMac"? Just another way for TMac to turn back the clock. whoisray - Many have said it's a random thing. Assuming he doesn't get clobbered in the air, it doesn't increase his injury risk.
Can't wait to see what he's gonna do for us tomorrow night against the Sonics! Their defense sucks anyway, so we better get some highlight reel material.
it's not really missing jon barry as it having no one on this team who can throw an alley-oop. i've never seen rafer throw a decent one and t-mac more than a few times has given rafer a little eye when he's missed an easy opportunity. t-mac's best bet is to throw one to himself.
I saw Old ball's back in the title and thought it was regarding Dikembe being back to play more minutes cause of Yao's injury.
I hope TMac can play better with the old ball back (not that he hasnt been doing it for the past 2 games)
damn, if he plays better than he's been playing the last few games, it'll be sweeeeet. maybe a 40 pt game? been awhile since we've seen that from him
In 04/05 I remember Yao and Juwan throwing alley oops to Tmac from the high post just as often as JB throwing them on the fast break. If those backdoor "cuts" are back in the arsenal again then I'm happy as a clam.
Hope the switch back to the leather ball doesn't effect Head much. The microfiber ball's similar to the one he used in college. I think it's a positive they're switching though, that ball's a piece of crap.
As excited as Mac is -- as well as I am guessing most guys in the league who have to do a lot of ball-handling duties -- I have a feeling that most 'catch-and-shoot' players won't be as thankful when the leather ball returns. I wouldn't be surprised if the shooters struggle somewhat early on trying to adjust their shooting because they know the leather ball isn't nearly as forgiving as the microfiber one.
