leather ball returns

[PacMan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2694335

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.

The decision will be formally announced by the league later this week, according to sources close to the situation.

Despite an avalanche of player complaints about the new synthetic model from the first day of training camp in October, skepticism was high among players that Stern would consent to a change during the season. But with a number of prominent players complaining of cuts on their hands caused by the new ball's high-friction cover -- Phoenix's Steve Nash and New Jersey's Jason Kidd among them -- Stern was forced to concede that an in-season swap was unavoidable with the new ball inflicting injuries.

 

[goggles99]

WOW....
Talk about embarrasment... Will that rule reversal come with an apology, and mini band-aids for all the (alleged) small "paper-cuts" this ball caused?

Bet the players were just starting to get used to it too. Now what??? will FG% be down, and turnovers up the entire year now???

I have played many a game with the "old", and "new" official balls. To tell you the truth, I have gotten used to the new one, and actually like it better.

 

[VF21]

Why is everything immediately assumed to be an embarrassment?

The league tried something, and it didn't work out. Yes, they should have probably done more tests but they at least listened to the players...

What I predict now is comments from players who actually liked the new ball. It will rival the Classic Coke - New Coke controversy in relative importance to the rest of the universe.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'm glad they just dropped this. That was a stupid move by the league from the start, and I think the league office finally realized it was causing them a lot of pain for no real gain. Just go back, say you're sorry, if for some reason you are really insistent on changng the ball, work with the players on it next time. But this was just...duh. Why go there?

 

[KingsChick]

Maybe the new ball is the reason why we didn't have such a great start in the season

 

[kennadog]

What embarrassment? The only true embarrassment is not admit a mistake when you make one. The league can be criticized for not consulting the players more in this proposal, but at least give them credit for listening and reversing their decision.

 

[Gargamel]

The embarrassment comes via the Players Assoc and their lawyers being the thrust behind this reversal -and- the stricter T reversal (and the Jermaine O'Neal sentence reversal a couple years ago too). Stern has just been delivered another slap on the wrist for arbitrary changes.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

You know what's embarassing? Coming off looking like the unreasonable party when PETA pulls a publicity stunt:

PETA would like to offer a lifetime supply of cruelty-free hand cream to any NBA siss … excuse me, superstar who’d be willing to give the composite ball another shot. Recreational players and NCAA athletes have been using composite balls for years without experiencing scratches or scrapes—but we understand that the delicate hands of pampered NBA superstars are far more sensitive than those of your average Joe who actually has to work for a living. The hand cream comes in a variety of scents, including “Filthy Rich Organic” (perfect for any overpaid millionaire) and “Peaceful Patchouli”—Nash, we have a whole case of that set aside for you. Maybe by taking care of your own skin a bit better, you can allow cows who would otherwise meet their end in the slaughterhouse to keep theirs.

Shaq, as one of the players who has been most critical of the composite ball, perhaps you’ll volunteer to be our test case—since you’ve only played four games all season, surely you have time to work a moisturizing routine into your schedule. Or LeBron, maybe you’re interested. The NCAA has used the composite ball for years—so it’s not only an education that you missed out on. Maybe you just need some more time to adjust.

http://blog.peta.org/archives/Letter to NBA.pdf