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Are we even going to talk about balls?

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Spalding-vs-Wilson-Basketball.png


The NBA got some big new balls this year. Turns out most of the players were more comfortable with the old balls.

Did the NBA need new balls? Is it sometimes better to play with new balls vs whatever old balls you've been playing with?

Will the players ever get their stroke down with these new balls? I think we all want to see these new balls drop like the old balls did, right?

So anyway... What's up with these new balls the NBA wants to shove into our face?
 
Guys didn't like their balls the last time they were switched but got used to the feel and touch of the new ones. They'll eventually adjust to their new balls and start hitting the hole once again.
 
Gameface said:
Spalding-vs-Wilson-Basketball.png


The NBA got some big new balls this year. Turns out most of the players were more comfortable with the old balls.

Did the NBA need new balls? Is it sometimes better to play with new balls vs whatever old balls you've been playing with?

Will the players ever get their stroke down with these new balls? I think we all want to see these new balls drop like the old balls did, right?

So anyway... What's up with these new balls the NBA wants to shove into our face?
Click to expand...

From what im told the new balls feel very much the same as the old ones. Some old baller veterans actually prefer the feel of the synthetic to leather. Very predictable in an around the rim. I think this whole ball issue has been beaten up out of all proportions.
 
SteakNEggs said:
Guys didn't like their balls the last time they were switched but got used to the feel and touch of the new ones. They'll eventually adjust to their new balls and start hitting the hole once again.
Click to expand...
When was it switched last?
 
It's just a new brand. They are still using leather balls. The last change years ago was to a synthetic material

For anyone who doesn't know: leather balls are firmer and take break in time. They also retain better grip through moisture (sweat)

Synthetic balls are soft and have little break in time. They have better grip when dry but can become very slick if they get sweaty and have to be wiped off
 
SteakNEggs said:
Guys didn't like their balls the last time they were switched but got used to the feel and touch of the new ones. They'll eventually adjust to their new balls and start hitting the hole once again.
Click to expand...
Not exactly, they changed the cover texture of the ball a while back and the players went ape ****. The NBA switched back to the old cover material the next season. Also thanks for reminding me I’ve got 1/2 a NY Strip leftover that will work well for breakfast.
 
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Saint Cy of JFC said:
It's just a new brand. They are still using leather balls. The last change years ago was to a synthetic material

For anyone who doesn't know: leather balls are firmer and take break in time. They also retain better grip through moisture (sweat)

Synthetic balls are soft and have little break in time. They have better grip when dry but can become very slick if they get sweaty and have to be wiped off
Click to expand...
This is correct. If we were playing pickup and everyone felt the official ball versus the synthetic we’d all choose synthetic. They get more slick and they are softer so can get lopsided a bit easier. The official ones are surprisingly hard.

The ball they switched to years ago was a more extreme change and that one felt like an outside rubber ball. It was terrible.
 
Gameface said:
Spalding-vs-Wilson-Basketball.png


The NBA got some big new balls this year. Turns out most of the players were more comfortable with the old balls.

Did the NBA need new balls? Is it sometimes better to play with new balls vs whatever old balls you've been playing with?

Will the players ever get their stroke down with these new balls? I think we all want to see these new balls drop like the old balls did, right?

So anyway... What's up with these new balls the NBA wants to shove into our face?
Click to expand...
Look whether your balls are old or new I have found that there is no substitute for spending time alone with them … the more time you spend with your hands on the balls the better.
 
The Jazz should hire Tom Hanks as a shooting coach. He has years of isolated experience with the Wilson ball.

The old Tf-1000 was awesome. Current versions are not. The Nike ball is ok. The Evolution is a very good ball, but I prefer the Baden Elite Perfection, but have a bunch of each.
 
I switched to Wilson Evolution about 10 years ago because l play in a couple community leagues and that's all they use.

It was a bit of an adjustment but for my money it's the best ball out there.
 
The best basketball I ever had was a Wilson jet. It was always the ball everyone wanted to play with at pickup games.
 
I forget what they are called, but like 10 years ago this ball when a ton of ridges became really popular in gyms I played and I actually really liked it. Feels like no one uses those anymore. I actually love the FIBA ball. A few Europeans play where I'm at and they have those. Most people hate it though, but I think just cuz it looks funny.
 
I started this thread because the Ball changed this year.

I feel like I'm taking crazy pillz right now.

Shooting percentage is DOWN in the NBA. Shooting percentage is DOWN!

But hey, how about **** that happened in 1996? Let's talk about that. Let's talk about what goes on at your local YMCA.

This thread isn't about the NBA, this thread is about you... I guess.

For ****s sake.
 
I'm getting the feeling that we are NOT going to talk about the new NBA ball this season. People would rather reminisce about **** they bought at Target and took to their local gym for a pick-up game in the 90s.

**** me sideways
 
- It sounds like players like the ball, and it doesn't feel different
- Shooting is down across the league
- Maybe even if it feels the same, there are some aerodynamic differences. Potentially there is slightly more or less friction with the air causing the ball to not fall in the same precise spot the shooter is used to (after shooting millions of shots based on feel). Maybe the differences are so slight that it even makes a difference in the air currents from an empty arena to a full arena?
 
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