If you are a hooper, you know the first thing we do at the park after we pick teams is figure out which ball to use. You bounce it around to get a feel and after careful consideration, you select the one you think is best.
Well, the NBA might have basketball players, but it’s not run by true hoopers.
JJ Redick, the hooper, turned podcaster, turned coach, got his hands on Tuesday’s game ball and immediately knew it was not up to hooper standards.
He proceeded to coach the Lakers to a 110-103 victory against the Timberwolves, but after the game, he shared his findings with the media.
“I’m going to send in a request for the league tomorrow that we can play with worn-in basketballs,” Redick said postgame. “I’m not sure why we’re playing in real games. I’m being dead serious. I’m not sure why we’re playing in real games with brand-new basketballs.
“Anybody’s ever touched an NBA ball brand new, it’s a different feel and touch than a worn-in basketball. I didn’t realize it until a timeout; there was a long rebound. I grabbed it. I was like ‘What, why are we playing with a new ball?’ Give the guys the opportunity to pick a good basketball. You think I’m joking? I’m neurotic.”
I don’t think Redick has joked on camera since getting this job, so no, he’s not kidding.
Of all the things that could come up as a problem where Redick has to file a request to the league, it’s hilarious that his first interaction with the higher-ups will be a grievance that the balls are too new.
However, he’s right.
True hoopers want a worn-in ball. For the non-ballers, think of them as new shoes; you want to break them in after a couple of wears to get them where you are happy and comfortable.
If the NBA is always using new balls, then you don’t get the benefits of a worn-in ball, and it always has that new got-to-break-in feel game after game.
Perhaps that’s why the Lakers shot 16% from 3-point range; it’s not the players on the floor or the stadium curse. Nope, it’s the NBA's failure to understand what ballers want.
Even LeBron James, podcaster turned co-worker, went on Instagram to back up Redick’s sentiment.
I can’t wait to hear the league's response to this.
Can Redick change this? Will the NBA have to roll out five or six differently worn balls for him or the players to judge? Or will they just professionally reject him with an email?
Regardless, we are going to stay on top of this story. The ballers need to know if the NBA cares about the needs of the hoopers or if they are just professional casuals.
