Funny feeling
NBA to use new composite ball starting in 2006-07
Posted: Wednesday June 28, 2006 2:35PM; Updated: Wednesday June 28, 2006 2:35PM
Sports Illustrated
NEW YORK (AP) — Sure, the shooting in the NBA might improve. David Stern sees another benefit to the league’s new official game ball, though.
As the commissioner joked Wednesday, now his signature gets to go on the ball twice.
That is just one of the changes on the new game ball, which was unveiled by league and Spalding officials at a news conference at the NBA Store and will be put into use at the start of the 2006-07 season.
The biggest, and most important, difference is that the ball is no longer leather. Instead, it’s made of a microfiber composite that allows for a much better and more consistent grip.
The ability to grip the leather was a driving reason behind the first change to the ball in more than 35 years.
“That really became a challenge, particularly when the ball was wet,” said executive vice president of operations Stu Jackson.
