AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > October > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USStern force-feeds NBA players
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
When it comes to how an NBA basketball should feel, whose opinion should you value more – David Stern, the sneaker-sized commissioner who never played in the league, or Shaquille O’Neal and the majority of his peers who dribbled their way to stardom?
This is a tough one, but …
I’ll take the players.
In case you haven’t heard, the NBA has decided to switch the material of its game balls for the first time in 35 years and for only the second time in 60 years. Why? Well, each of the old leather balls was different, and Stern likes to say that the new balls will be exactly alike due to their microfiber composition.
To which O’Neal and his peers respond with a collective, “So what?”
Then there is Stern boasting about how the new balls will give players a better grip and feel. The players say the new ball actually is more slippery than the old ball, especially when you begin to sweat.
It doesn’t matter what the players say or think, though. Stern said the NBA will use the new balls this season regardless.
Yeah, that makes sense.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Quick Hit, Terence Moore
Comments
By brewerfaninATL
October 25, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this
Who cares what the ball looks like, or how it feels? They still have to go out there and shoot the darn thing in the bucket, something they should have more than 15 or so years of practice at. When they were growing up, I guarantee you they were using rattier balls than the ones they’re using in the NBA and it wasn’t because of the microfiber on the ball. I think it didn’t make much of a difference because they were STILL McDonald’s All Americans! To me, it’s just more rich millionaire crybabies who don’t like change. Guess what? Deal with it…it’s just a frickin’ basketball for cryin’ out loud!!
By dap
October 25, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this
Has anyone ever complained about the ball? The ball has never been the problem.
Change the ball back and work on other, more important issues.
By keith
October 25, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this
As is evident by the lack of response to this blog… So what! No one cares! It is the NBA for crying out loud!
By Dr. I
October 25, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this
I’ve seen a couple of preseason games, and I can’t tell any difference.
I mean, the players are still carrying the ball for three or four steps, and laying bricks from the foul line, just like they always have.
By Fan
October 25, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
The state of Georgia cares about the NBA?