the air

A while ago, I wrote about the two issues plaguing NBA players. Perhaps the longest running issue is the fact that the NBA introduced and forced all of its players to use the new synthetic basketball without consulting the Players’ Association or the players themselves. NBA commissioner, David Stern, felt that the ball was a significant improvement for the game and for some strange reason, he felt it necessary to simply force his players to use it.

Luckily for many players, the new synthetic ball will not be used for the remainder of the 2006 - 2007 season starting January 1. Many of the veteran ball players are rejoicing and some of the newer players are indifferent. However, this does mark the significance of the Players’ Association since without their approval, the NBA had gone ahead and, in my opinion, illegally forced them to use new equipment without their feedback. On the other hand, the new synthetic ball did not contribute to poor performance statistically:

The stats show the ball had no real negative impact in the NBA. Scoring is up about 2½ points per game from a similar point last season, and field goal and free throw percentages also have risen.

As much as the players enjoy the news, they will have to learn to realize that leather balls will take time to break in and they will not be used to the different ball for some time. Stern has not set a deadline for, even if, the new ball will make a comeback. However, for next season, the ball could make its debut and spell the end of leather basketballs in the NBA.

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