"The NBA unveiled its new game ball Wednesday, and it 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..."

The league also announced that it will be changing official bench chairs to new collapsable folding chairs, which are stored under the court and will make it much easier for opposing players to dash on to the court and stealthily smash their targets over the head and dash back to the bench before the victim can recognize who the culprit was.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060629/SPORTS0102/606290355/1127

"
The league also announced that it will be changing official bench chairs to new collapsable folding chairs, which are stored under the court and will make it much easier for opposing players to dash on to the court and stealthily smash their targets over the head and dash back to the bench before the victim can recognize who the culprit was.


http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060629/SPORTS0102/606290355/1127

Hey - just like the WWF?

Hey - just like the WWF?

Hey man, what is this WWF that you speak of??? :confused:

The whole world is only now realizing what pro wrestling knew 90 years ago: fake makes more money.

Stern is exactly like Vince McMahon. He's not interested in overseeing a competition won by the best team, but making the most money for the promotion as a whole. So don't expect him to apologize for stacking the rules against the Detroits and San Antonios, any more than you'd expect Vince to apologize for Kurt Angle having to lose to some JUCO basketball dropout like the Undertaker.

Its a Wrestling corporation. WWF stands for World Wrestling Federation. For some reason I think a guy tried to sue them because he already did something like that so they changed it to WWE for World Wrestling Entertainment. Anyways the wrestlers can sneak a chair into the ring while the ref isn't looking and hit the opponent with it.

The whole world is only now realizing what pro wrestling knew 90 years ago: fake makes more money.

Politicians knew it way before them. :P

Strippers too.

Hey man, what is this WWF that you speak of??? :confused:

Its all real man..

The promotional style is WWE-esque.

NO LEATHER? Sacrilege I tell you!!! :P

I wonder what affect it might have on NBA stats...all the way from steals to free throw percentage?

commentators sometimes talk about stats from the 'post-shotclock era'. will they now start talking about stats from the 'post-non-leather-ball era'??

ie. wow, chaunceys FT% is 90.6 in the post-non-leather-ball era. i remember when players would shoot in the high 90's before this revolutionary change.

I'll tell you one thing: Every time a player goes into a shooting slump, we're going to hear complaints about "the new ball."

NO LEATHER? Sacrilege I tell you!!! :P

I wonder what affect it might have on NBA stats...all the way from steals to free throw percentage?

Conspiracy therory!!! Perhaps there will be a projectile contained inside the ball controled by remote so that the league can increase the shooting accuracy. They can shot off a hot team that is winning by a blow outto make a game more competitive or give a cold team some help so people won't turn away. Thus we will see hirer shooting percentages and more points scored. Stern is a mad scientist at work!!! LOL!!!:nod:

Shaq hates (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2610976) the new ball.

The NBA probably made this high tech ball that contains technology so they can guide the ball of Dwayne Wade and Lebron to go in, when the refs fail to call the foul cause somebody got within three feet of their space. The NBA is broken. They need to spend their energy on fixing their problems. They need to major on the major instead of the minor.

Oops Winless. I guess I should have read your post first. Then I wouldn't have posted my thought. You must have somehow known what I was going to post and beat me to it. You dirty dog you.

I'll tell you one thing: Every time a player goes into a shooting slump, we're going to hear complaints about "the new ball."
Yeah, they're already complaining... especially the Heat players... slippery with sweat... bad grip etc.
Shooting % could go down this year 'til they get a handle on it... or as we used to say "put a string on it"

I don't see how a ball can possibly affect Shaq's game. They could be playing with a bowling ball and he would still get his 5 dunks/game and brick all his free throws.

I don't see how a ball can possibly affect Shaq's game. They could be playing with a bowling ball and he would still get his 5 dunks/game and brick all his free throws.
:rofl: :rofl:

I don't see how a ball can possibly affect Shaq's game. They could be playing with a bowling ball and he would still get his 5 dunks/game and brick all his free throws.

Hahaha, I thought the same thing when I saw that article. Shaq is probably the LAST guy in the league that the ball affects.

I thought the $100 microfiber was supposed to help everyone get a grip on the damn ball. It's not for marketing or cost cutting, but to improve the game, right?

:rolleyes:

Nice one with the Bowling ball comment, TaShawn!:pound:

Cuban strikes gold again. Love the last line....

The New NBA Ball - Blog Maverick (http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/10/05/the-new-nba-ball/)

Hahahaha I love Cuban!

Its too early in the season to get fined :)

Is he slowing down in his old age? Maybe he's trying to move up the Forbes list.

Shaq hates (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2610976) the new ball.


I wonder why?

Is it because when he squeezes the ball with his arms whirling and twirling he doesn`t get the same feel (as the old ball) when a passerby (in the paint) on the opposing team gets elbowed in the chops???:rolleyes:

From ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2617527), Stern is thinking about pulling the plug on the New Ball experiment and sticking with Ball Classic.

From ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2617527), Stern is thinking about pulling the plug on the New Ball experiment and sticking with Ball Classic.

Thanks Lurker. I was completely unaware that MLB baseballs and NFL footballs are no longer leather.

If the new balls are 'sticky'..won't they also pick up any dust/debris from the floor?

Call me old-fashioned, but I'm bummed that leather has gotten the boot...to me, it's an unnecessary change to sports as we've know them for decades. What's next? Velcro baseballs & gloves?

From ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2617527), Stern is thinking about pulling the plug on the New Ball experiment and sticking with Ball Classic.

Maybe Stern heard that D-Wades shooting % might suffer with the change. Can't have that now...can we? :cold:

I used to play a lot of playground, pick-up ball. People wouldn't even want to practice with a rubber ball if there was a leather one handy.

Stern's contention that everyone plays with a synthetic ball rings hollow. The NBA is **supposed** to be the leader. Why it should adopt the ball of other leagues is beyond me. There is something prestigious about the NBA ball, and it should continue to be so.

Besides, who really wants to watch half a season of bricked jumpers and low scoring rebound fests?

Ok, most of you people are stupid. WWF changed to WWE because the World Wildlife Federation already had those letters so they had no choice.

As for the pistons, last saturdays practice was very good. The only players that didnt looks that good were Mohammed and Amir. Yes it was just practice and yes Nazr did do good in his first preseason game as a piston but everybody needs to remember that this is preseason. The veterans are playing relaxed and the rookies and new people to the teams are playing hard. I do have faith in NM but I really think we need to wait till after ramadan to judge him when he's at full strength. All summer I watched almost everyone on this site get nervous about the team and even count them out completely. Well I got news for these supposed "fans" , the pistons are not going anywhere any time soon. Until then dont ever lose faith in our pistons. :MusicBigGrin:

Ok, most of you people are stupid.
That's why we like hangin' out together... it's a close nit "stupid" community.
Duuh we likum dem Peestones.
You might want to try a forum where there's real live smart people... we don't know nuttin here.:lol:

Duh...whats a Piston?

Ok, most of you people are stupid.

Could you please be more specific. By "most", I'm not sure if you mean 51 percent of us or 99 percent of us.

Can you let us know how you arrived at your conclusion? Why are you hanging around us anyhow? Are you here to enlighten us?

I'm sorry to bother you with this but your opinion means a great deal to me.

Thanks.

Ok, most of you people are stupid.

I know you are but what am I? :loser:

Sticks and stones may break my bones...

first off I want to appologize for calling everybody stupid. Its just a couple of you, he he he. It just agravates me when people dont know what they are talking about when the news came out months ago, or even years.

Again I am sorry for my comment.:rolleyes:

first off I want to appologize for calling everybody stupid. Its just a couple of you, he he he. It just agravates me when people dont know what they are talking about when the news came out months ago, or even years.

Again I am sorry for my comment.:rolleyes:

Hey don't sweat it, LilWeez. Some of us just engage in more sophisticated ways of saying "you're stupid" and are shocked to see the sentiment expressed in its raw form. I noticed you've only posted 10 times, hope we didn't scare you away with our sensitivity. :rolleyes:

In the future just insert a smilie face and it'll be all good. Like this:

Gee, you guys sure are stupid:) to overreact to LilWeez 10th only post.Way to be welcoming.:nod: Especially stupid :) considering he went to Pistons Open Practice and appears to be a serious fan.

As for the pistons, last saturdays practice was very good... All summer I watched almost everyone on this site get nervous about the team and even count them out completely. Well I got news for these supposed "fans" , the pistons are not going anywhere any time soon. Until then dont ever lose faith in our pistons. :MusicBigGrin:

Keep On Keeping On LilWeez.:thumb:

In the future just insert a smilie face and it'll be all good. Like this:

Gee, you guys sure are stupid:) to overreact to LilWeez 10th only post.Way to be welcoming.:nod: Especially stupid :) considering he went to Pistons Open Practice and appears to be a serious fan.



Aurora, I do believe you are insinuating most of us are neanderthals.:mmph:

Darth Flintstone

Aurora, I do believe you are insinuating most of us are neanderthals.:mmph:

Darth Flintstone

:laugh: No no no not at all. LOL. Just that some of us were a little heavyhanded with the Weez. If anything, I'd say that our collective forum brain trust is top heavy in the smarts department and a little light on common sense sometimes. But Neanderthals? Never!

Aurora "Can't We All Just Get Along?"

:laugh: No no no not at all. LOL. Just that some of us were a little heavyhanded with the Weez. If anything, I'd say that our collective forum brain trust is top heavy in the smarts department and a little light on common sense sometimes. But Neanderthals? Never!

Aurora "Can't We All Just Get Along?"

Aurora plays fantasy football like a girl!:football:

Aurora plays fantasy football like a girl!:football:
Aurora :winner_first_h4h: in Fantasy Football
Darth :noidea:

Aurora :winner_first_h4h: in Fantasy Football
Darth :noidea:


:kleenex::hurt:

:kleenex::hurt:

DarthTater Reigning and Defending Champion Novice League Fantasy Basketball

Aurora Chicken to Lose, May Scratch Novice League

DarthTater Reigning and Defending Champion Novice League Fantasy Basketball

Aurora Chicken to Lose, May Scratch Novice League

OK, I realize this thread has been hijacked, but I think it pretty much ran its course anyhow.

Don't quit Aurora. Just learn and have fun. Honestly, nobody cares as long as you try. We will help you if you need it.

As an aside, rookies often dominate their leagues. Maybe it's because they aren't as biased in drafting. I'm not sure, but it happens quite frequently.

:focus:

From the original story about the new NBA ball:

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

:rolleyes: Oh brother.

:focus:

From the original story about the new NBA ball:

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

:rolleyes: Oh brother.

Since he lost his own long ago, I guess he figured he'd better put his name on these ones just to be safe.

Stern is done waffling, the switch to the new ball is permanent (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2636270).

Stern is done waffling, the switch to the new ball is permanent (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2636270).

I read this today. I must say I am dissapointed, but what can you do? I threw out my old obsolete leather balls and bought a new MicroFiber one today. I would have purchased two, but at $100 a pop, I'm going to have to wait a little while to get the other one.

:rolleyes:

Linwood, how does the new ball feel? Better or worse?

I've heard the pros complain about it, but it's mostly been Shaq, so you know.

Linwood, how does the new ball feel? Better or worse?

I've heard the pros complain about it, but it's mostly been Shaq, so you know.

I feel like it is really affecting my free throw %.

Actually, I was just joking about buying it. 100 bucks is just too much $$ for someone of my skills to spend on a basketball! I did go check it out though. Too me, it feels alot like a rubber one that you use at the outdoor court.

IMO, I think it's just a marketing scam to get 100 bucks outta kids.

Those rubber balls really suck. I can't believe they would go to a ball that was anything like that.

It seems like it should result in less "shooter's touch" type hoops.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Who was complaining about the leather ball? That is what I want to know.

Shouldn't this stuff have to go through a competition committee?

And I read somewhere that David Stern himself spent time handling the new ball (no lie) and pronounced it good. Yep, legendary point guard David Stern. Sheesh.

Stern's in kahoots with Spaulding to sell $100 basketballs to kids wanting 'to play like the pros'. And how much you wanna bet the new ball is cheaper to produce than the leather one?

There is no doubt in my mind that the new ball is inferior to leather when played on the hardwood...no scientific proof...just a gut feeling. The composite ball probably holds up better on outdoor courts...but again...that's just a guess. The one thing I DO know...is that I won't be shelling out that kinda money for a basketball for my kids.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Shouldn't this stuff have to go through a competition committee?


Agreed.

Those rubber balls really suck. I can't believe they would go to a ball that was anything like that.

It seems like it should result in less "shooter's touch" type hoops.

Agreed.

IMO, I think it's just a marketing scam to get 100 bucks outta kids.
Totally Agree.

Stern's in kahoots with Spaulding to sell $100 basketballs to kids wanting 'to play like the pros'. And how much you wanna bet the new ball is cheaper to produce than the leather one?

There is no doubt in my mind that the new ball is inferior to leather when played on the hardwood...no scientific proof...just a gut feeling. The composite ball probably holds up better on outdoor courts...but again...that's just a guess.

I agree on all points.

Thanks Lurker. I was completely unaware that MLB baseballs and NFL footballs are no longer leather.

Thankfully, MLB baseballs ARE still leather, as confirmed by this article about Tony La Russa's response to synthetic basketballs. I would have never figured him for a vegetarian.

At least he's not PETA fanatical :)

Animal activist La Russa takes note of NBA's new synthetic balls (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-worldseries-larussa-baseballs&prov=ap&type=lgns)


Does anyone know for sure that NFL footballs are no longer leather?

Great report on the new balls from Mark Cuban.

NBA Balls.... - Blog Maverick (http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/10/27/nba-balls/)

NO LEATHER? Sacrilege I tell you!!! :P



I say balls should remain leather the way The Good Lord made them. :amen:

As luck would have it, I played with one of the new balls at the gym today. I don't pretend to have the same silky touch as Shaq, but the ball seemed fine to me. It doesn't feel anything like a rubber ball.

It is a little stickier and easier to palm, and I think that it banks a little more off the board... i.e. it is harder to glance it off the board at a shallow angle. I don't know about the $100, but I'd buy one for $50.

As luck would have it, I played with one of the new balls at the gym today. I don't pretend to have the same silky touch as Shaq, but the ball seemed fine to me. It doesn't feel anything like a rubber ball.

It is a little stickier and easier to palm, and I think that it banks a little more off the board... i.e. it is harder to glance it off the board at a shallow angle. I don't know about the $100, but I'd buy one for $50.

I didn't get to actually use it. The teenage salesman at the local sporting goods store said they weren't allowed to put them out until the season starts, but we were talking about it and the place was empty, so he let me check it out. It didn't feel like leather to me. I thought it was very simmilar in feel to the indoor/outdoor spalding they had there.

Great report on the new balls from Mark Cuban.

NBA Balls.... - Blog Maverick (http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/10/27/nba-balls/)Mark Cuban's an ass in many ways, but I share his skepticism about the change...good thing he has the resources to get the real 'dirt' scientifically on the new ball.

What I found of note in that report:

1) "However, with a few drops of added moisture on the surface of each type of ball, the new synthetic balls have a coefficient of friction which is at least 30% smaller than similarly moistened leather balls. We have also measured the moisture absorption rate, which confirms that the synthetic ball absorbs moisture at a much slower rate, leaving more of the moisture on the surface. Therefore, when wet, the synthethic balls are much harder to grip and handle (slippery). By contrast, our measurements indicate that the grip of the leather ball improves after similar moistening."

30% is a HUGE difference. That leaves two options for game officials:

a) either force them to play one slippery ball for the entire game and force
players to adapt to the slippery ball--and it makes me wonder if the game
should begin with a pre-moistened ball to give it more of a consistent feel
from the beginning of the game until the end.

b) or cause them to change balls after every couple whistles.
If they do this, seems to me that going back & forth from a wet ball to a
dry one would be cause for inconsistencies in play...ESPECIALLY for a hot
shooter (I wonder if Kobe could have gotten 81 with the new ball)

I haven't paid attention to the pre-season games much--have officials been using one ball for the entire game or have they swapped them out for dry ones?


2) "Preliminary measurements suggest about 30% greater deviation in the position of the synthetic ball after a bounce."

That difference is huge also...maybe not so much so for up-down dribbling, but for 'english' type passes (recalling Ginobli's spinner to Horry in game 5). Does the new ball have more of a 'superball' type reaction (erratic) after contacting the floor when passed with heavy rotation?

IMO, Cuban is the way owners should be. Slightly distrustful of the machine that he operates within. I hate yes men. And maybe I like him a little too much because he replied to one of my emails.

I played again today with the new ball and tried wetting it. It gets slippery. I don't ever recall that much moisture being put on a ball through actual indoor play though. Maybe it happens in the NBA with some of those big sweaty dudes.

But when it is dry, I think that it is less slippery. I don't really notice the variance in the way it bounces.

I'm sure Stern wishes he could ban Cubans just like the government has with cigars.

Stern has synthetic balls.

Great report on the new balls from Mark Cuban.

NBA Balls.... - Blog Maverick (http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/10/27/nba-balls/)

Thanks Roscoe for posting Cuban's blog. Wow! I hope he sent the report to Stern. Apparently all the testing NBA did was on a dry ball. I agree with Detteam that using the Visine that simulates (as close as possible) human sweat was a real difference. Well, I have to hand it to Cuban: he knew how to get action and how to use his resources. I doubt that NBA had any physicist do the in-depth research Cuban did.

Another thing, about what role stadium arena floors really might make. It seems like floors would make some difference with either ball. Even though there are probably standards for floors, there would have to be a difference between geographic areas, etc.

Hmmm, wonder what the new ball smells like. I like the smell of leather.

A bit more on the subject. Looks like Cuban's test results are getting around. I'm sure Stern is overjoyed.

ESPN.com - NBA - Cuban corollary: NBA rule will regulate owner behavior (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2644040)

A bit more on the subject. Looks like Cuban's test results are getting around. I'm sure Stern is overjoyed.

ESPN.com - NBA - Cuban corollary: NBA rule will regulate owner behavior (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2644040)

Dang, it get's crazier and crazier. Sheed will find a way to get around the "Sheed rule", I am sure. Can Cuban make himself an assistant coach? Is there a law against that? That way he could legally be on the floor, say what he wants to, and generally be himself.

Mark Cuban has stated on his blog that he will no longer be promoting the league in some part due to the fact he has been red flagged by the commisioner as a malcontent.

More to follow at HVC next week.

Hmmm, wonder what the new ball smells like. I like the smell of leather.

It actually smells sort of leathery. But there is a hint of rubber.

It actually smells sort of leathery. But there is a hint of rubber.

Yeah, but it still tastes like chicken. :P

An interesting perspective on the new game ball that hasn't really been discussed.

ESPN.com: Page 2 : A new look for the NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=lukas/061031&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos2)


How does the change affect the 21 Team logos that include a basketball in their logos? But the REAL question is, HOW WILL THIS AFFECT PISTONSFORUM.COM?

http://www.pistonsforum.com/../images/pfv2/misc/pistonsforumcom_logo.gif (http://www.pistonsforum.com/../forum.php)

The NBA League office's take on matters:

Uni Watch » Ball State (http://www.uniwatchblog.com/2006/10/18/ball-state/)This was discussed, as it relates to all balls in team and event logos for the NBA, WNBA, and D-League. Some of our new franchises — the Los Angeles D-Fenders in the D-League, for example — will be using the new ball design in their logos (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/07/LAD-Fenders.PNG). But we have not had any existing teams approach us about changing their logos, and we are not proactively pursuing them to change.
If you look closely at the Celtics logo (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/Boston_Celtics_logo.png), you’ll see that the ball is the pre-1970 four-panel ball. They never changed the logo when the ball became eight-panel. The eight-panel basketball is still a basketball, and represents a point in time when the franchise was created, or at least when the logo was created. We anticipate that eight-panel balls will continue to represent the game of basketball for some time — we just happen to have a new ball for game play. I would anticipate many of our event logos (draft, etc.) eventually converting to the new ball when applicable.

Perhaps Stern will start to listen now that his golden boy is complaining about the ball.

FOX Sports - NBA - James latest NBA star to bash new ball (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6148538?FSO1&ATT=HMA)

Mr. Cuban talks about his observations on the new ball.

The New NBA Ball P2 - Blog Maverick (http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/11/10/the-new-nba-ball-p2/)

Comment #2 is very interesting reading as well.

Wow, that Baden ball looks pretty impressive. I'll be curious to see if Mark takes the bait.

Mr. Cuban talks about his observations on the new ball.

The New NBA Ball P2 - Blog Maverick (http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/11/10/the-new-nba-ball-p2/)

Comment #2 is very interesting reading as well.Comment #2 is interesting...it made me realize that Spalding has monopolized the basketball market thanks to Stern. I'm sure Spalding has applied for patents and can now charge the NBA anything it wants for it's 'superball' for the next 17 years. Maybe Spalding was the only producer of leather balls, but anyone could make them if they wanted. Stern must be getting a TON of kickbacks for this little marketing gem.

Spalding ::Basketball (http://www.spalding.com/basketball/index.php) click top shelf, second from left

Mr. Cuban talks about his observations on the new ball.

The New NBA Ball P2 - Blog Maverick (http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/11/10/the-new-nba-ball-p2/)

Comment #2 is very interesting reading as well.

"The players who seem to benefit the most are guys who make their living with jumpers in the 10 to 15 foot range. The ball doesnt come off the rim as hard as the old ball, which has led to shots that I think would have bounced out in the past, staying in now. Players with soft touches on short jumpers are loving the new ball."

Did anyone notice during the Piston game how many shots from long distance bounced near the front of the rim and went in? PeteM would have loved this ball.

I played a good 2 hours with the new ball again today at the gym. I'm convinced that it is better. To me, it is easier to grip on dribbling, catches, and shots.

Just try it before you buy in to all the %%%%%ing from dudes like Shaq.

Interesting developments...

TSN : NBA - Canada's Sports Leader (http://tsn.ca/nba/news_story/?ID=186704&hubname=)

ESPN.com - NBA - Union gets on ball, files unfair labor practice charges (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2682848)

The players' association filed two unfair labour practice charges Friday against the NBA over issues with the new ball and the league's crackdown on player complaints.

Interesting developments...

TSN : NBA - Canada's Sports Leader (http://tsn.ca/nba/news_story/?ID=186704&hubname=)

ESPN.com - NBA - Union gets on ball, files unfair labor practice charges (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2682848)Good to see the union stepping up...I think they represent the fans also.

But I hafta laugh at Stackhouse's comment, "...A thousand dollars is a thousand dollars, no matter whether you are making $9 million or $30,000." :pound:

Stackhouse is completely out of touch with reality...as is the case with most overpaid players and league commissioners.

Good to see the union stepping up...I think they represent the fans also.

But I hafta laugh at Stackhouse's comment, "...A thousand dollars is a thousand dollars, no matter whether you are making $9 million or $30,000." :pound:

Stackhouse is completely out of touch with reality...as is the case with most overpaid players and league commissioners.

Someone should introduce Mr. House to the concept of percentage.

Cuban...

"I think that's right within the NBA's wheelhouse," Dallas owner Mark Cuban said. "They say the NBA stands for `Nothing But Attorneys,' so we're going to be great at dealing with those issues."

Good to see the union stepping up...I think they represent the fans also.

But I hafta laugh at Stackhouse's comment, "...A thousand dollars is a thousand dollars, no matter whether you are making $9 million or $30,000." :pound:

Stackhouse is completely out of touch with reality...as is the case with most overpaid players and league commissioners.

I don't think Stack meant that like it came out. I think he was trying to say was that no matter how much you make no one wants to be fined at a 1000 bucks a clip especially when a lot of these T's are coming body languge or facial expressions. I rather Stack make a comment like this as opposed to other players in the league that make comments like I don't care about the fine 10 big faces is chump change to me. :stirthepot:

$1000 buys the same amount of stuff for me as it does for Stack. He just has more thousands, and thus, more nice stuff.

Bottom line, this sets a dangerous precedent if the NBA can fine with what is basically, reckless abandon. The fines are a big sticking point for the players union. It's one thing to screw the players around. It's another thing to start clawing back their earnings.

More on Stack, and a take from Jason Terry as well. Bill Ingram has access to all of the Texas teams and does a great job getting their takes.

Ingram: Mavs React to Players Union Grievance (http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_19718.shtml)

First, wouldn't it be nice if there was coverage of the Pistons like this?

Second, as to the ball. Seems to me that when announcing the change the league said that the ball had been evaluated and o.k.-ed by a group of players. Maybe I made that up, but I think I read it (but don't know where). And that it has been used in some contexts for some time, etc.

But, if true, then why isn't / hasn't the league specifically saying / said so over and over again? And if not true, then what in the world are they doing? Surely it must have been predictable that the players would react to any change in the game, and just as surely it must have been predictable that having a controversy just gives everyone a black eye and hurts the game.

I just don't get it.

Rockets Owners Wife to Blame for New NBA Ball | NBA Blog - The FanHouse (http://nba.aolsportsblog.com/2006/12/04/rockets-owners-wife-to-blame-for-new-nba-ball/)

The ball reportedly has effected guys like Chauncey, Nash, and Kidd who are some of the best passers in the league. I have not heard anything from Chris Paul, but those 3 guys are proof that the ball is bad for playmakers.

Rockets Owners Wife to Blame for New NBA Ball | NBA Blog - The FanHouse (http://nba.aolsportsblog.com/2006/12/04/rockets-owners-wife-to-blame-for-new-nba-ball/)

It's important not to miss the comment someone posted below the article claiming that the Rocket's owner and his wife had been divorced for years before the new ball and didn't seem to have had any contact in that time.

Sounds like rumor-mongering

A Whole New Game Ball? - New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/06/sports/basketball/06ball.html?ex=1323061200&en=930a8d3b517beaf3&ei=5088partner=rssnyt&emc=rss)

Sounds like their done goofing with materials...now they wanna screw with the number of panels on the leather one :nerd2:

The NBA will use leather basketballs in the NBDL next season, temporarily ending its attempts to re-introduce a composite ball at the NBA level, according to ESPN.com.

"We are committed to leather for the foreseeable future," said league spokesman Tim Frank. "We just realized leather is what our guys wanted."

The league introduced a composite ball at the start of the 2006-07 season, but after complaints that the balls became slick from perspiration and left tiny cuts on players' fingertips the league returned to leather in January 2007.

The plan now is to develop a two-paneled ball rather than the current eight-panel model. RealGM: Basketball Wiretap Archives: NBA Halts Development Toward Composite Ball (http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/54326/20080908/nba_halts_development_toward_composite_ball/hu/)

full story at ESPN.com

I don't think that means there will be only two seams, just two panels underneath the skin. Someone smarter then me please correct me.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080910/ap_on_sc/big_bang

Testing has already commenced on the new rock.

I don't think that means there will be only two seams, just two panels underneath the skin. Someone smarter then me please correct me.

I think panels and seams mean the same thing. I know Rawlings introduced a 10-panel ball a couple of years ago. The rationale is that more panels will give the player more seams to grip the ball when shooting, passing, or catching. I don't see how reducing the panels from 8 to 2 could actually improve the ball.

Maybe they should just switch to a soccer ball. Plenty of panels and the ball wouldn't have to be aligned before shooting it. Also, the international players would be totally comfortable with it.

Maybe they should just switch to a soccer ball. Plenty of panels and the ball wouldn't have to be aligned before shooting it. Also, the international players would be totally comfortable with it.

They did discuss this, but David Stern felt that the soccer ball would give Darko an unfair advantage.

Before a switch is make, the NBA needs to look at the PF logo to see what ball we use...:)

Nice one Nemo.

Maybe they should just switch to a soccer ball. Plenty of panels and the ball wouldn't have to be aligned before shooting it. Also, the international players would be totally comfortable with it.

omg! that would hilarious and the international players would so happy wouldn't they?? lol they probably play better than the american players:hoops:.....see more baskets

omg! that would hilarious and the international players would so happy wouldn't they?? lol they probably play better than the american players:hoops:.....see more baskets

Also, take out the kicked ball rule. If they can use their feet, let them. Think of the highlights on fastbreaks with kicked alley oops.

Also, take out the kicked ball rule. If they can use their feet, let them.Bowen might achieve 'superstar' status overnight cuz no one's kicked as many balls as he has

I'm not sure if I'd want to hear Mason yelling, "Field Gooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"