Customer Reviews

Spalding Official NBA Game Basketball (Classic)

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

 

 

The ball takes quite a while to break in. After first, the ball is quite slippery. However, after breaking the ball in it provides the most consistent feel for both dribbling and shooting. The ball becomes slick when both the player's hands are dry and the ball is dry. Unlike other synthetic balls that become slippery when wet, this ball actually becomes more tacky after getting a little moisture on the ball as exemplified by Steve Nash's finger licking while coming down the court. Also, the ball is most consistent and has the best feel on clean courts and in warm, humid environments. The ball does not play well when it is very cold. I have played with every ball on the market and I can firmly say this is the best ball out there. However, the trick is to persuade your friends that is the best ball...many players who are used to synthetic balls do not care for the firmness of the old, "classic" NBA ball. BEST BALL! Lasts significantly longer than synthetic balls as well.

This ball was too hard and slippery for lunch time basketball with non professionals. Everyone thought it was a cheap imitation ball. I highly recommend the Wilson NCAA Solution Game Ball Basketball instead. It has much better grip, and everyone wants to play with it.

If this is an official NBA game ball then I'm confused. Years ago, I had a NBA leather ball, and this is not even close to being similar. Okay, granted if it takes time to break-in, I wasn't inclined to be patient because it also had a erratic bounce. Two fellow ex-college hoop friends that I play with also encouraged me to return for refund as there opinion was also negative.

What can you say about a basketball. It's the best that you can buy. It's what the NBA pros use. Of course the only thing is that this ball is strictly INDOORS. Any outdoor use will ruin the high quality leather.

The picture does not show the detail to discern the type of Spalding basketball for sale. The ball was returned for a refund. I do appreciate the refund but the same picture is still being used. The picture should be changed to show the (Classic) symbol on the ball.

i've always wanted to have an nba game ball, so after seeing the price they had for one here i had to get one. but i seem to feel disappointed. If you see this ball at the store it feels hard slick like great leather. but to my surprise this ball didn't feel like that at all. I guess it is because it the limited edition classic ball, and Spalding used the rest of the leather that was left good, or bad to produce these. the ball feels like the pebbles are big, the patina feels cheap.It seems like the breaking in process would still not help it that much. If you get the balls that they used now that have the new design but still made of leather you can totally tell how different they are. Well I wont play with it, but i guess ill keep it for aesthetic value since its a limited edition classic ball, but i wish it was good enough to play with, guess i have to shell out $99 for something worth playing with.

I really do like this ball but initially you will be surprised by it's feel. This ball doesn't come really soft like many other balls do. When the people around the NBA talk about it needing some break-in time they are right. If you have ever had the experience of breaking in a brand new full grain competition Leather football, I would say it would be very similar to that. This ball isn't as "grippy" as a Spalding TF-1000, which has always been my favorite basketball. I think with some time though and use, I think this ball will be better than the TF-1000 but I am not to that point yet.

I'm sure it's a great ball but it takes ages to actually break in one of these. Spalding told me it takes 9 months to break one in and I'm starting to believe them. There are other balls that are a much better value than this ball.