<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Not quite sure why this has not gotten more press, but the NBA will be using a new basketball design next season. The new ball is no longer going to be leather, rather a composite surface, and has a strikingly different look. One of the side effects of this new non-leather ball will likely be the decrease in shooting percentages, as the ball tends to ?bobble? out a touch more than the normal NBA ball. The new ball was used exclusively at the NBA pre-draft camp. The new ball is also featured in print on the cover of the NBA?s 2006 draft guide. Ironically, neither the NBA nor Spalding has put out a release on the new ball yet. There had been rumors of the new ball design for the past few months, it was surprising to see it in use in Orlando, especially without any press on the new ball or its features ? but it?s coming.</div> Source Here is a picture of the new basketball:
If lower FG% is a known side effect, it doesn't make any sense that the NBA would use it. They've been trying to increase FG% for the last decade.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">i like the old design better, but i guess i could get used to that</div> dont worry, you'll be used to it in no time. back to hitting j's in atrtest's and kerlinko's eyes. lol
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">If lower FG% is a known side effect, it doesn't make any sense that the NBA would use it. They've been trying to increase FG% for the last decade.</div> Yeah I don't understand the point of this change either. It seems pretty stupid.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah I don't understand the point of this change either. It seems pretty stupid.</div> Maybe they want to lower everyones fg%, and then switch back to the other ball so everyone will shoot better.
Why? Playing with a leather basketball indoors shouldn't change. I'm going to take a wild guess and say this "composite" material is A LOT cheaper than leather balls.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Why? Playing with a leather basketball indoors shouldn't change. I'm going to take a wild guess and say this "composite" material is A LOT cheaper than leather balls.</div> I dunno, I doubt the leather balls are that much of a dip into NBA coffers anyway, especially if they get them extra cheap to promote the brand name. So minus that reason, this move makes absolutely no sense at all. Maybe they're just trying to slowly change the game away from the classic NBA feel? A few rule changes each year, a new ball, tweaking dress codes, etc?
Totally pointless way of making 80 dollars on everyone who buys the "authentic" basketballs to play with indoors when the composite material probably costs 4 dollars to make. It will definitely take some getting used to. Also, if it lowers FG%, im sure the shooters of the league will complain while the power players will love it.
The ball was used at the all-star game but it didn't get much publicity. Here's some pics: (here's the rest of the pictures)
Bosh had a decent all-star game, 8 and 8, maybe he likes the ball... I hate it. I doubt cost has anything to do with it, unless the NBA can't afford basketballs(thats would be a problem). You can't take away the leather balls, its always been leather...
Whoa, I didn't even realize they used them during the all star game. That'll suck if it affects the play, but we'll see how they do.
why change it? what was wrong with the old one? think how many teams are gonna have to change their logos logos now to accomidate the stupid new ball
