[imported_shookem]

League will drop new ball after New Year's Eve

Dec. 11, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports

NEW YORK -- The NBA's much-maligned new basketball is being bounced.

After months of complaints from players about the way it gripped, performed and even hurt their skin, commissioner David Stern decided Monday to put the microfiber composite ball back on the rack.

The old leather ball returns Jan. 1, and players who are still upset they weren't consulted can't wait for the change.

"They should have done a little more testing the first time so we wouldn't have had to go through this," Spurs All-Star Tim Duncan said. "Hopefully, they have corrected their mistake, and everything will be good."

The league sent a memo to its teams Monday, telling them that the change would be made for the remainder of the 2006-07 season. In the memo, NBA president Joel Litvin said that Spalding had 450 new leather balls on hand for use.
Stern admits his mistake

Wow. I can't believe the league is doing this in the middle of the season. The NBDL will still use the new ball so Spalding can continue to improve it but come Jan. 1, it's back to the old ball.

Since the NBA and in particular, David Stern have been able to admit their mistake does it make you wonder about Bettman's ability to do the same?

Will the NHL correct some of the mistakes they may have made re-inventing the game over the past few seasons? Does having the NBA make a move like this make it easier for the NHL to change some thing back to where they were before?

 

[panoo]

Will the NHL correct some of the mistakes they may have made re-inventing the game over the past few seasons? Does having the NBA make a move like this make it easier for the NHL to change some thing back to where they were before?

"The Weasel" Bettman, would NEVER admit he made any mistakes!!! That's why we aren't hearing how some of the expansion teams are really struggling, it's beneath him!!! :thumbsdow Plus the fact, that the media is watching to see how this years rules are panning out, they forget to follow-up on last years rules, and the year before that etc., since he took over as commissioner.