In the December 18th issue of Business Week the Spalding NBA basketball was noted as one of the "Worst Products" of 2006. That same week, NBA 'Commish' David Stern announced that as of January 1, 2007 the league would return to the old leather ball previously used for the last 60 years. Despite the microfiber-composite ball having a more consistent bounce and scoring percentages being significantly higher than previously years, the players' union filed a formal grievance because the ball caused skin abrasions and slipped in contact with sweaty hands.
Whoa is me, oh chilrn of basketball
Now far be it from me to think that in a perfect world millionaires would have blisters from hard-work, but after watching last Saturday's game between the Nuggets and Knicks, it would seem that perhaps players should worry more about unprofessionalism on the court than a slippery ball that makes these guys' hands look like they put in a hard-days work. Carmello Anthony was sanctioned with a 15-game suspension for throwing a windmill punch and other fines and punishments will come down the pipe-line, but it seems that the infraction of the foul (See the YouTube clip) wasn't life-threatening to warrant a fight between the players.
This is a message for all of you NBA players out there
Whoa is me, oh chilrn of basketball
Now far be it from me to think that in a perfect world millionaires would have blisters from hard-work, but after watching last Saturday's game between the Nuggets and Knicks, it would seem that perhaps players should worry more about unprofessionalism on the court than a slippery ball that makes these guys' hands look like they put in a hard-days work. Carmello Anthony was sanctioned with a 15-game suspension for throwing a windmill punch and other fines and punishments will come down the pipe-line, but it seems that the infraction of the foul (See the YouTube clip) wasn't life-threatening to warrant a fight between the players.
This is a message for all of you NBA players out there
No one really wants to watch a bunch of 5-step traveling, over-paid showboaters brawl on the court. Basketball is a physical court, but it should be played by those who are true competitors. In the press conference held by the Knicks, head-coach Isiah Thomas blamed the Nuggets for inciting the incident because they kept their good players in the game when the Nugs were up by 15-points. Hey coach, FYI, a basketball games outcome can have a 15-point shift within 2-minutes. Quit making excuses and accept that you were beat by a better team. Did the Knicks have their best players on the court at the same time? YES!
Finally, when it gets to the point were (as a fan) you would feel safer at a dynamite convention or a open-pit cock-fight than at a NBA game, the league needs to make changes. Just because a fan taunts you or calls you names, or another player fouls you from behind doesn't mean that you should fight. Be a man, be a true admirable athlete and let your game do you talking instead of your fists.
Finally, when it gets to the point were (as a fan) you would feel safer at a dynamite convention or a open-pit cock-fight than at a NBA game, the league needs to make changes. Just because a fan taunts you or calls you names, or another player fouls you from behind doesn't mean that you should fight. Be a man, be a true admirable athlete and let your game do you talking instead of your fists.
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