The NBA’s balls are fancy.
June 28, 2006
The NBA is introducing a new ball:
The color has been brightened slightly and the channels — the black grooves that segment a basketball — have been minimized. The ball is also crafted from a composite of different materials, not the traditional leather casing that the NBA has used for years, and is softer and provides a better grip. The new ball also has a sleeker Spalding logo and two extra NBA logos stamped on it.Although the most reported news, as far as I can tell, is the change from leather to a composite, I think the more significant change is the replacement of the old eight-panel design—the new balls are formed from just two panels that interlock:
Click on the image for a closer look.
It seems to me like the change in the seams on the ball, were I an elite player, might actually make a big difference. I don’t know whether it would improve or reduce accuracy, but it sure does seem like a noticeable change. I wonder what the players will have to say about it.
The story I linked to is as much about marketing as it is about the ball itself—if you want the pure sports story, try this ESPN link.
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