Remember when the NBA previously decided to change balls beck in 2006? Unlike today, that ball was still made by Spalding but made of a synthetic microfiber composite instead of being made from the traditional leather.
It was almost universally disliked by players from the beginning.
“Right off the rim when I first started gripping it, I didn’t like it,” said 14-year NBA vet Steven Jackson, back in 2006. According to Ray Allen, “Overall, you see the league, shots aren’t like they used to be. Every player I’ve talked to, to a man is in disagreement with the ball.