What's in the Black Box?...

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#31
Look, I know this is just nitpicking, but that basketball is just WAY unconventional. Why change the basketball which has remained the same for years and years.

It could just be Stern pushing the LeBron and Wade era down our throats.

Or it could just be a big picture of him on the ball. Who needs Jerry West?
Okay, I'll bite. What's so blasted unconventional about it?

It's round. It appears to be the same size. It's the same color. It holds air. If they've changed it, there was a good reason. Things change. It happens.

You do know that pigskin isn't actually used to make footballs any more right?

In fact, pigSKIN was never used. It was actually pig's bladders but they didn't want to say that because it sounded too yucky.
 
#32
I can just see David Stern in a dingy New York warehouse with a large crew of illegal aliens. Small, improvised, paint booths with people spraying thousands those soft, 12-inch, red rubber balls with orange paint. Another crew of recent arrivals, off to the side, painting NBA logos and faux stitches on each of the balls. Derek Martin over at the far end of the warehouse throwing up three-point test shots ad infinitum. Out-of-round, blemished, balls are set aside for the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#33
Ogg. The same thing happened at the World Cup this year with a new ball that supposedly flew different. Have a new ball if you must, but changing the actual physics of the game is nothing that should happen just for appearances.
 
#35
Okay, I'll bite. What's so blasted unconventional about it?

It's round. It appears to be the same size. It's the same color. It holds air. If they've changed it, there was a good reason. Things change. It happens.

You do know that pigskin isn't actually used to make footballs any more right?

In fact, pigSKIN was never used. It was actually pig's bladders but they didn't want to say that because it sounded too yucky.
Yes, you're right. I guess it's just a personal thing.

Just the appearance..and how every ball has the little grooves meeting at the sides of the ball..and..the uniformity of it all.

Call me crazy, yeah, but there's still no point in this.
 

pdxKingsFan

So Ordinary That It's Truly Quite Extraordinary
Staff member
#37
Ogg. The same thing happened at the World Cup this year with a new ball that supposedly flew different. Have a new ball if you must, but changing the actual physics of the game is nothing that should happen just for appearances.
That was supposedly intentional and by design. Just about everyone but the goalies love 'em. They are also supposed to play more uniformly when they get wet because of the new design keeps water from seeping in the ball and the weight is supposed to stay the same. But for all the talk about how players would be blasting away long ball goals it hasn't really happened.
 
#39
Here are the two changes:

#1. Instead of the Jerry West logo, it'll have David Stern's face with a big schmoozey smile on it. It'll give Mark Cuban and Dirk a bull's eye for when they want to kick the ball again.

#2. For you conspiracy theorists, there will be a computer chip/magnet that will allow David Stern to control the ability of the ball to either go in the hoop or repel away from the hoop. This way he can plan years ahead of who he wants to match up in the Conference Finals and NBA Finals and ultimately who he wants to win.
LOL. that was gold.

guess we won't be seing a Ron Artest led Kings team advancing in the playoffs anytime soon.
 
Last edited:
#41
Actually it doesn't look the same color to me. It looks more orange. Honestly though I could care LESS about the lines not connecting or the slightly different tone. What do care about is if the ball reacts different. It will be a synthetic composite and not actual leather. I don't care how good the science is behind this composite, but it will NOT react the same with a different skin.

We all know how big a bounce can be *vs Spurs game 2 I believe with Brent Barrys' winning shot*. Now that could have ended different for us if that shot DIDN'T bounce in, but maybe Kevin Martin's game winning lay up DOESN"T go in* vs Spurs*. I don't want how the ball reacts to be different.
 

Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
Staff member
#42
I actually like the LOOK of the ball. If they changed the performance at all for the negative (and I don't see why they would do that), that's just stupid.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#45
Actually it doesn't look the same color to me. It looks more orange. Honestly though I could care LESS about the lines not connecting or the slightly different tone. What do care about is if the ball reacts different. It will be a synthetic composite and not actual leather. I don't care how good the science is behind this composite, but it will NOT react the same with a different skin.

We all know how big a bounce can be *vs Spurs game 2 I believe with Brent Barrys' winning shot*. Now that could have ended different for us if that shot DIDN'T bounce in, but maybe Kevin Martin's game winning lay up DOESN"T go in* vs Spurs*. I don't want how the ball reacts to be different.
Okay, here's the deal...

Unless I'm mistaken, most games (excluding the pros) play with a composite ball anyway. So, if anything, the "new" ball will actually be more familiar to the next generation of players. And I strongly suspect the veterans will be able to quickly figure out any differences.
 
#47
The box is obviously the ball...

Second point who cares, is this what they do to get excitement going in the offseason?

They are not going to approve/put in a ball that affects performace, hell the superstars can still palm it and take 5 steps before being called. Nothing will change except for the thread design.
 
#48
Okay, here's the deal...

Unless I'm mistaken, most games (excluding the pros) play with a composite ball anyway. So, if anything, the "new" ball will actually be more familiar to the next generation of players. And I strongly suspect the veterans will be able to quickly figure out any differences.
The current Official NBA Game Ball that you can buy for 80 dollars is a genuine, full grain, leather ball. Not a composite.

http://www.sportchalet.com/product/...6&cp=711651.1801468.1073529&parentPage=family
 
Last edited:
#50
Does one make more shots with this genuine ball?
All I'm saying is if you change the skin of the ball, it could very well react differently. Whether it's for the better or worse. Of course I'm sure the inflation level will still be the same, but the covering could effect bounces are rolls. I just don't like idea that, the reaction of the ball could be changed.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#51
Talk about a tempest in a teapot. Why is it that every single little change has to be met with suspicion, allegatons of some kind of vast conspiracy, etc?

The LAST thing the NBA would want to do is bring in a piece of equipment that would hamper the game.

If you notice, the only negative comment has been in the little tidbit from the rumor mill section of hoopsoworld. The ball was used during the pre-draft game camp and you didn't hear cries of outrage.

...

And people wonder why I hate TDOS so much.
 
Last edited:
#52
Lol. I never said it was a conspiracy. I just said that if you change the skin of the ball it could change the way the ball reacts for positive or for worse. I don't see why you would change it at all. If you want the new design, ok fine. But, you can make the new design on the same skin.

The only benefit to a composite would be it would cost less. For example the step down from the official NBA Game ball that you can get from spalding is a Composite leathermade to withstand indoor and outdoor and that ball is 25 dollars vs the 80 dollar leather game ball.

http://www.sportchalet.com/product/...0&cp=711651.1801468.1073529&parentPage=family

So, again I never made a conspiracy. Just expressing my opinion that I don't think they should change the skin of the ball. If you want to change the design fine, use the same skin. My opinion would be the same if this was brought up during the season or not.
 
#54
The current Official NBA Game Ball that you can buy for 80 dollars is a genuine, full grain, leather ball. Not a composite.

http://www.sportchalet.com/product/...6&cp=711651.1801468.1073529&parentPage=family
Shooting these balls out of the box are tough. Reallly SLick. After they get broken in though they are sweet.

I'll guarantee this. Brad Miller will not be able to block this new ball. :)
LOL. I don't think he would be able to block a WNBA ball.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
#56
This new ball was used in the All-Star game so at least some of the players have had a feel for it. I'm pretty sure that the league has all ready given teams some of the new balls so that the players could use them on their own during the summer.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#57
Lol. I never said it was a conspiracy. I just said that if you change the skin of the ball it could change the way the ball reacts for positive or for worse. I don't see why you would change it at all. If you want the new design, ok fine. But, you can make the new design on the same skin.
And... I never said you said it was a conspiracy. My comments were more general in nature. :)

You don't see why they're changing it. I don't see why there's any kind of fuss about it. It's been used already and no one is screaming about even noticing the difference. As I said, it's a typical "tempest in a teapot" TDOS topic for discussion.
 
#59
Both teams play with the same ball, so physics are irrelavent.

If the players have anything more than a passing issue with this, they should just learn to adjust.

I like playing with composits/rubber more than leather. You have a better grip on the ball.

IMHO: Better Grip = Good

It is very 'traditionalist' or perhaps 'sentimentalist' to resist this change. Unless there is a HUGE difference, and I am talking one of biblical proportion, I don't see how this effects anything.


PeTA must be holding one of Stern's kids hostage...