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NBA returns to leather ball

The NBA is expected to return to using the old-school, leather ball on January 1. That would terminate the two-month period in which the game ball was a new synthetic, microfiber composite ball from Spalding. It was introduced over the summer and received loads of criticism from the players, until league management admitted the mistake and decided on the

Spalding tried to create a ball that was consistent from ball to ball, and did not have to broken in. Complaints over the new ball included it being too sticky when dry, slippery during the game as it got wet, bounced differently and caused cuts on players` hands. But perhaps more than all other complaints, players were upset over the lack of cooperation on the part of Commissioner David Stern who did not consult them before switching to the new ball.

On December 1, the players union filed two unfair labor practice charges over not consulting them on the new ball switch. Stern, admitting the mistake in handling the situation, said "Our players` response to this particular composite ball has been overwhelmingly negative and we are acting accordingly."