Keep Your Eye on the Ball
posted: 10/10/2006 at 9:58 PM
You've probably heard all of the noise about this issue before now, and I've even addressed it several times in the past few weeks. But, before the pre-season gets started, I thought it was fitting to go to the Trail Blazer players to see what they think about the NBA's new basketball. I'm some ways I'm surprised at all the news this change has generated around the league. But, after comparing the balls, I can see why this is being viewed as such a big adjustment.
First, let's get you a few facts. The NBA game ball has been just about exactly the same for the past 35 years. Second, the NBA is the only league, professional or college, that was still using a genuine leather ball. Everyone else had gone to synthetic, or composite, or some kind of hybrid. Third, Spalding came to the league and said it had a technology that will improve the ball. They wanted the league to introduce the ball last season, but the NBA decided to put it off a year.
The change has been met with an amazing amount of criticism, mainly from the league's veterans, who were used to the old way. Is this just a resistance to change, or is there something really faulty with the new rock? Whatever the case, the topic has reached the desk of commissioner David Stern, and he is looking into the matter.
Stern told ESPN recently, "Right now our plans are to stay the course, but we will monitor it and if we find there is something to it, and it is a serious issue, we will take the appropriate steps because the most important thing to us is the game."
Stern went on to say that they have a test crew investigating the complaints. He says in the initial tests, the claim that the new ball gets slippery when wet, doesn't appear to be accurate.
"We have gone out and tested this claim," Stern told ESPN. "We have wet both balls. When the (old) leather ball is wet at the end of a game, it is very slippery." It's strange, because that's just what many players have said is the problem with the new ball. One of the nice features about the new ball is that all of Spalding's microfiber composite balls are exactly the same. It's been said that a new ball could be introduced to the game at any time, if the ball does become wet. This would be a departure from the traditional policy which required the same ball to be used for the entire game.
Could we see this develop into a situation where several balls are rotated throughout a game? Could it be like a tennis match when after a certain amount of time the chair umpire calls out "new balls" and we see a fresh ball tossed into a game? Who knows.
I snapped a photo of the old ball, and new ball, side by side, at Blazers practice on Tuesday. You can see the obvious differences, especially with the seam pattern. You can also probably tell by the picture that the textures are very different. I first felt one of these new basketballs over a year ago at the practice facility. I actually shot with it, and thought to myself, "the players are going to love this thing." A year later, and we're hearing that most are longing for the old ball. At least the majority appear to be at this point.
Here is what I found out in talking to some of the Blazers about the new ball. The pattern around the league has been that the veterans don't like it, and the young guys do. But, Trail Blazers' assistant trainer and equipment manager Geoff Clark says it goes a little deeper than that.
"The reaction has been very mixed," Clark told me. "Our big guys seem to like it, but most of the guards don't." He also acknowledged that the veterans seem to have the biggest problem with it.
When I asked veteran Raef LaFrentz if he liked the new ball he said, "I (bad word) hate it." Then, he softened a bit and explained himself. "It's just a change, and guys at this level hate change. I don't like it now, but I'm sure I'll be fine with it in time. I guess it really just gives guys something to complain about."
I then asked Raef about some claims that the ball will actually lead to sloppy play. "I actually think shooting percentages will go down," he said. "But, I also think turnovers will be down because this ball is easier to handle. Players who like to use the backboard to bank shots in will really have to adjust. This thing, because it's so sticky, just bites the glass."
So, I went to another veteran, Jamaal Magloire. He wasn't nearly as passionate about the subject. "I liked the old ball," he told me. "But, I'm getting used to the new one. It's not that bad."
Rookie Brandon Roy, who used a similar composite ball in college, said, "I like it. The wetter it gets the better it gets." This, again, goes directly against what some players have said about the new ball.
As for Dan Dickau? "I hate the new ball," he said. "But, I'll get used it. I'll be fine with whatever we use." Atta boy Dan.
As for Clark's claim that the big guys like the new ball over the old one? Joel Przybilla told me, "I have small hands, so this ball has been great. I love it. It's much easier to grip and you won't see guys needing to dump rosin all over their hands and arms before they check into the game (good for broadcasters who sit courtside and are normally covered with the stuff by the end of a game). That's the only way I could get a decent grip on the old slick ball." Clearly, all big guys don't agree on this. Shaquille O'Neal said recently that whoever decided to go with the new ball should be fired.
Martell Webster had more of a historical approach to why he's got a problem with the new ball. "I always looked forward to getting to the NBA and playing with that old-school ball," he said. "That leather ball wasn't used at any other level, and I thought that was kind of cool. I guess that's the biggest thing. Honestly, I liked the old one and I don't really have a huge problem with the new one."
The man who has been called a "magician" with the ball, Sergio Rodriguez, of course, loves the new ball. They've used a ball very similar to this in Europe for years. "We used a ball just like this in the FIBA World Championships. It's all I've ever used." And, it seemed to work for him, as Spain won the gold medal, so why would he have a problem with it?
Finally, I thought I would ask the guy who will likely be handling the new ball more than any other Trail Blazer- point guard Jarrett Jack. "I absolutely love the new ball," said Jarrett. "I really don't know why so many guys have come out and complained about it. I love handling it and I love shooting it." Of course, Jack is just in his second year and played with a microfiber ball at Georgia Tech.
There you go. Much more than you wanted to know about this. But, it has become such a hot topic I figured I should address it. It will be like everything else- the guy who shoots 8 for 10 on a given night will talk about how great it is, and the player who goes 1 for 9 and has 6 turnovers now has the ball to blame. Clearly this isn't over, and the players who have complained the loudest apparently have juice. For Stern to be suggesting that reverting to the old leather ball is a possibility, tells me there will be more to come.
The exhibition season for the Trail Blazers begins Wednesday night at the Rose Garden. The Seattle Supersonics are in town. All of the pre-season games will be live on the radio, with Wheels and Antonio calling the action.
And, by the way, happy birthday to Joel Przybilla. He turned 27 on Tuesday.
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what are the dementions of the two balls? Is it just me or is the new ball smaller than the old one?
The veterans have juice, but if the league is going to make a switch, they have to do it some time. If the guys coming from other countries and college are fine with the ball, why not now?
Mike, i hope you don't think we're letting you off without a starting five prediction. Don't even think about it. It won't fly.
I'll get us started with predictions with my own. Nate said Joel, Zach, and JJ will start. So there is only the 2 and 3 spots to predict.
I think Nate will send a message that he isn't looking to dump the team in Roy's lap, right away. He'll also want to try Roy other places. So, i pick Dixon to start at shooting guard.
Since there is more urgency to see if Outlaw is going to put it together this year than Martell, my guess is we'll see Travis start tomorrow at the 3. I could be as far off with this prediction as my seat will be from the court, but i gave it a shot.
hey MB,
maybe the NBA could adopt what tennis and MLB does...change the balls often, and if one goes into the crowd, the crowd gets to keep it.
try to pass that idea onto the league offices, will you?
hellosim,
It may look like there's a difference in size, but they are exactly the same size and weight.
mrblazer,
I would agree with your prediction on the starting five. But, I also think we'll see several different starting units in the pre-season. Nate has said in the final couple of exhibition games you'll get a much better idea of what he's leaning towards for opening night.
hap,
Good idea, as always. But, are you going to start a riot if a ball makes into the third level where you sit? If you get one, at least we'll know we can get it back on EBay later that night.
MB
Mike,
LOL for your reply to Hap! Good stuff!
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