Stern decides that NBA will switch back to leather ball »

Posted by: angry-ken 1 year, 9 months ago

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NBA commissioner David Stern, in a stunning reversal, has decided to shelve the new microfiber composite basketball after just a few months of use and switch back to the old leather model for all games starting Jan. 1, ESPN.com has learned.

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Comments: 9

Avg rating: (+3/-0 3)
TomBiro
Dec. 11, 2006, 4:47 p.m.
I'm *so* happy the league decided to take action on this.

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  coreyspring
  Dec. 11, 2006, 6:49 p.m.
  Absolutely - I really am kinda surprised they did an about face on it, though.
  
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    TomBiro
    Dec. 11, 2006, 6:53 p.m.
    Agreed, considering how Stern was dragging everyone kicking and screaming into the new ball.
    
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      coreyspring
      Dec. 11, 2006, 6:55 p.m.
      Yeah no kidding... it only took 49 days for him to do the 180
      http://sports.netscape.com/story/2006/10/23/stern-
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
angry-ken
Dec. 11, 2006, 5:11 p.m.
I really didn't think they would go back on this, but I'm glad they did. I have no idea why Sterm wanted to change the ball in the first place. It was obvious the new ball was significantly different, just by watching a game and seeing shots that used to have no chance of going in end up taking an odd bounce and dropping in the basket. If it isn't broke, why fix it? Going back to the classic style ball is definitely a good move and will at least make the players a little happier.
Why wait 'til January though? I say swap them out this week.
Avg rating: (+2/-0 2)
JasonCalacanis
Dec. 11, 2006, 7:26 p.m.
Selena Roberts did a good story in the NYT yesterday about Stern blowing it with the players with the ball.
how do you force the players to use a new ball AND NEVER EVEN CONSULT THEM ON IT!??!?!?
come on...
Avg rating: (+3/-0 3)
inaroundabout
Dec. 12, 2006, 3:11 a.m.
I never got a chance to feel one of the new balls so I could see what everyone was complaining about. Apparently it was frictional enough when dry to cause small cuts and abrasions on players' fingers. In general I have no problem with composites but I would have liked to see exactly what the problem was with this one.
A lesson to all managers though:
If you're going to change the tool your employees most rely on to do their job for no earth-shatteringly important reason, you'd better damn well get their opinion on it first.

2 Replies
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  stephen-johnson
  Dec. 12, 2006, 9:06 a.m.
  Good point - I wonder how much the NBA brass consulted their players or field tested the ball before authorizing its use.
  
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    toph1973
    Dec. 12, 2006, 10:28 a.m.
    From what some of the players were saying, they weren't consulted much at all. When you have your marquee names criticizing the ball, there has to be a problem. I'm glad that Stern listened to the players on this one.