Customer Reviews

NBA Microfiber Composite Ball

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The new-but-soon-to-be-old NBA Game Ball was a real disappointment. It has a good grip (as long as it's not wet), but the grip feels fake and unlike a "real" ball. In fact, like Wilson's Solution Game Ball, the grip on this one is too sticky; if you're an accomplished player who's used to a bit of slide -- in your hands and on the backboard -- you'll have to adjust how you dribble and shoot. (In this respect, the ball really does, as others have noted, behave more like a cheap rubber ball than a good game ball.) We've also had complaints in our leagues about the bounce: the ball feels soft, as if it's under-inflated, but bounces as if it's over-inflated, making it difficult to handle, even for good ball-handlers. The only people in our leagues who seem to like it are the pure shooters -- the guys who shoot long-range jumpers and rarely dribble or use the backboard.

One quick comment in response to another reviewer: "To suggest that leather is superior to synthetic is just plain neanderthal." I agree; a good composite ball is better than any leather basketball I've played with. The problem is that this isn't a good composite basketball. Check out Spalding's TF-1000 ZK Microfiber models, which sell for half as much on Amazon as this one but are much better.

I have always been a nut for buying new products when it comes to basketball.

I have tried several basketballs when it comes to the higher level end balls. NCAA Solution, NAIA Rawlings Leather, NBA Leather Game, and now the NBA Composite Game ball.

I will say that when it comes to grip, the NCAA Solution ball is still the tackiest of the basketballs, but the new NBA game ball has a much better initial grip than the old Leather ball. This has some advantages and disadvantages

Grip

Advantage - Players with smaller hands will be able to grip this ball better. The ball seems to almost stick to your hands whereas the old leather game ball did not.

Disadvantage - The ball seems to also stick to the backboard whereas the other ball would glide off of it.

I did find that I was having problems bouncing the ball, it did not bounce properly, but this problem was fixed after a game of playing. The old leather balls took months before they lost their plastic like feel.

I do not feel that the ball gets slick when wet as was the complaint of NBA players who played with the ball. Obviously I am not at the caliber that they are at, but I feel that the ball always had a constant grip whereas the old leather game balls would get slick when wet.

The downside to this all is the price. I feel that the 100 price tag that most retailers are charging for this ball is a bit high. Hopefully this ball will go down in price. I am hoping that Spalding will take their cross traction technology to their other composite balls that way other players will be able to take advantage of the new panels.

Panels

I really did like the new panels that this ball has. I do feel that the bounce is more consistent with this new design.

Overall

I still think i would prefer the NCAA Solution ball, but this ball has a very short life span. The NBA composite game ball is a high quality ball, but if you enjoy the classic feel of leather, you should buy the old game balls before they entirely zone them out.

Ok, i REALLY thought this ball would be GREAT considering the overinflated price and since it is endorsed by the NBA. NOT SO! This ball feels very similar to the cheap $20 balls you can get at your local department stores! Feels similar to the Wilson NCAA solution game ball, but slightly less tacky, but since it has to be pumped up so much inorder for it to actually bounce it feels almost like rubber. I personally do not like that. This ball is supposed to be able to be played out of the box, without a break in period. Well, i hope it gets to feeling better over time, but since it supposedly has not break in period, i am very skeptical. I honestly do not feel the "crosstraxxion" design does anything to improve the the feel or grip of the ball. If you like the feel of leather, this is NOT for you. I am NOT impressed! Search for reviews for this ball before purchasing! The only thing you can do with this ball that you can't do with others, is say "Well at least this is the Official Game Ball the pros use!"

The ball is good overall. One big issue, however, is that it picks up dirt quickly and becomes slippery to the hands then. You'll notice this well as your hands become dirty after using the ball for sometime. Yeah, I used it on a indoor wooden court :-)

The grip is very similar to the Nike4005 but I prefer this one.

Like many other Spalding balls, its gravings are very shallow which give extra-grip to your hands.

Color is very bright compared to other Spalding or Wilson balls, looks almost like an orange when in well-lit indoor court.

Personally I had a feeling that it is somehow more durable than Nike or Wilson balls.

I don't own the ball but my friend brought it to practice and it rocks. I can't palm a regular ball but with that one I was able to with the composite. It feels really soft and helps my release because I can hold it longer and get a better shot. Just don't use it outside or else it becomes black and is a regular outdoor ball. Try to get it on sale though don't spend $100.

The new ball, soon to be the old ball, is a marvel of technology. NBA players complained long enough and loud enough to the league to have it replaced. Yet, the statistics do not support the complaints. Shooting percentage is up slightly this year with the new ball, and does anyone believe that skills are up this year? This ball will now become a collectors item. Recreational players have a lot of options, including a new ball reputed to need less frequent filling. Ball preference for most of us is just that, a preference. Some prefer a tackier ball, some less. Some balls are great when dry, less so when wet. Like different shoes, I like to keep a variety of balls around and choose depending on mood and conditions. This should be, as advertised, an indoor ball only.

I bought this for my brother as a Christmas gift. He is an avid ballplayer, and he loves it. He says the surface feels a little different than other synthetic balls but it plays really well.

I just got this ball and, despite what a handful of whiny NBA divas have said, I can say that it is well made, with an even bounce and better grip than the typical ball. It's easier to palm this ball and, as an added benefit, I have a better hold on my conscience knowing that an animal did not have to be slaughtered to manufacture the ball. It's 100% synthetic/microfiber, just like they've used in NCAA hoops, rec leagues, and most other major sports leagues for years. To suggest that leather is superior to synthetic is just plain neanderthal. Leather is being increasingly replaced by synthetic in everything from sports shoes to racket and club grips, for reasons of quality, performance, and consistency (does anyone remember those old tennis rackets with the slippery leather grips?), and this high-quality synth NBA ball is long overdue, as is some NBA players' maturity.

I just read an article at the Fox sports website saying it is almost certain that NBA will go back to using leather ball.

There will not even be a bragging right once this officially happens, so in my opinion, don't buy it.