Leather Ball Back!

Its taken a while coming, but the NBA has decided to revert to the old leather ball -- the one that has been used in past seasons. For reasons that were not explained, the NBA brought in a new composite ball this season. The new ball has been reviled for having unpredictable bounce and acting weird overall. Sorry, that was the best way to put it. Sometimes it doesn't bounce hard off the rim, flops into the basket, makes paper cuts on players' palms and is either too slippery or too sticky.

Steve Nash, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Kidd are some of the bigger stars who've expresses their displeasure with the ball. The player's union decided to take legal action against the league last week , on two counts -- the new 'zero tolerance' policy and the composite ball.

Stern had to say this, about reverting to the old ball.
“Our players' response to this particular composite ball has been consistently negative and we are acting accordingly. Although testing performed by Spalding and the NBA demonstrated that the new composite basketball was more consistent than leather, and statistically there has been an improvement in shooting, scoring, and ball-related turnovers, the most important statistic is the view of our players.”

Boy, the man flat out can't admit he was wrong !

I really wonder why they've decided to switch to the old ball now, in the middle of the season. After all, the players have now got used to the new one's random behavior. Even the three point shooting has been getting better and from what I recall, the league shooting average is a few percentage points above last year's. Oh well, the players adjusted to the composite ball within a month, so they should be comfortable with the leather ball by Jan end. I hope.

I guess Stern did not want the 2007 Finals to be decided by some weird bounces. What would the refs do then?

Players union talks out on techs rule

The new zero tolerance policy against players' complaining against calls has been the second biggest issue this season(after the new, sticky ball). Personally, I do think the refs have been a tad too whistle-happy when it comes to players who have had a history of complaining. Guys like Rasheed Wallace have been penalized just for standing in disbelief, while the likes of Tim Duncan and continue whining all the way up and down the court. I should say I was pretty relieved to see him get T'd up in the game against the Kinks earlier this week, though he got a free pass against the Suns last night.

In any case, the players union prez, Billy Hunter has requested that refs 'back off' and go easy on technical fouls. This is what Hunter had say, in a recent AP story:

"My staff is talking regularly back and forth with his staff. If we think they're not being sensitive at all, it usually requires a session between myself and David. We haven't had it yet, but the way things are going, I'm sure I'll be calling him in the immediate future."

M

Seven Seconds or Less

I thought I'd distract readers from that shattering loss last night by discussing something that has had me excited for a while now. "Seven Seconds or Less" is a documentation of SI writer Jack McCallum's experiences from one season spent on the Suns bench. Many of you must have read McCallum's teaser which appeared on SI last year. If you missed it, thats a good place to start, if you want to see if this is something you will like.

Jack McCallum was granted an amazing amount of access into the inner workings of the Suns organization and for most of us, reading his book is the closest we will ever get to 'knowing' the Suns. He lets us into the Suns' locker room talk, the jokes, the friendly banter while also talking at length about the team meetings, the issues discussed etc.

This book comes out on Nov 14, 2006 and I can't wait to get my hands on it. The book costs only $24 but I've been broke real bad for a while now, so I might buy the book a little late. I will definitely keep you guys posted about anything I hear about this book though.
Check this link out for more information on the book.
Here are some of the main details you'll need.

Seven Seconds or Less
My Season on the Bench with the Runnin' and Gunnin' Phoenix Suns
By Jack McCallum

This Edition: Hardcover
Publication Date: 11/2006
Our Price: $24.00

Some highlights from last year's SI article (the precursor to this book):

On Rip Hamilton - IMO the best current player at moving without the ball
Typically, Rip Hamilton comes hustling around a double screen set along the lane and can usually catch and get a jump shot inside of 15 feet. "Or Rip comes off and finds Chauncey Billups right here," says Gentry, striding to a position near the 3-point line.

A rib at Suns' assistant coach Phil Webber
"You should listen to Phil," says Gentry. "He has taken many an average shooter and turned him into a below-average shooter."

When Amare's injury was first diagnosed The Suns has just discovered that an Arizona team doctor had examined Amaré Stoudemire's throbbing left knee and determined that he could be out for nine months.

On officiating changes
"You won't be able to hop, then take two steps this year," says Mies. Vince Carter, say a half dozen voices at once.

On Amare's best dunk
"I'm not sure his best dunk wasn't against Adonal Foyle in the Golden State game," says Gentry. "The one against [the Minnesota Timberwolves' Michael] Olowokandi was better," counters Weber. "Olowokandi's 7'1" and his wingspan must be 9'6"." "That doesn't count," says Gentry. "Olowokandi's a pussy."

I'll keep 'em coming in the next couple of days.

M

Sign Diaw already!

OK y'all! Thanks for stopping by.

I've decided to start this blog off by addressing Boris Diaw's contract negotiations. At the moment that remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the Suns, that the management has direct control over. The elephant in the room is clearly Amare, with his sine wave like fitness curve over the past few weeks...but with the amount of uncertainty over his knee, the easiest thing for a Suns fan to do is to look at what IS in our (management's) control.

There was semi-good news this morning on the Boris Diaw situation. Mike Tulumello of the East Valley Tribune reported that the Suns like their chances of re-signing Diaw .

In a nutshell, Diaw has till Oct 31, 2006 to sign a deal with the Suns, otherwise he becomes a restricted free agent next summer. Diaw has been a complete gentleman about this whole negotiation process and considering his demeanor on court, it doesn't come as a surprise. He's a real humble, laid-back dude both on and off the court. Its funny that one can say that 2006's Most Improved Player is laid-back on court, but that's the truth. He never looks flustered on court, never seems to be rushing things but he gets the job done!

The Suns management have been saying the stock phrases they've always used to feed the media during contract negotiations:

David Griffin, the Suns’ vice president of basketball operations

"I would think there’s a good chance to get something done"

"Re-signing Boris is a priority"

Boris, on the other hand didn't sound as optimistic. Asked about his chances of signing in the next two weeks, he said

"It’s 50-50"

Alright now Griffin, will you sign him already? Apparently, the two sides are $10 mil apart on a 5 year contract. The Suns want him for 5/40, and the bargaining goes on..

This off-season has been one of weird/outrageous signings.....I'm sorry, it was just this one signing -- that of Nene by the Denver Nuggets for $60 mil over 6 years that has sent the whole salary scale out of whack. Thanks a lot Denver!

But as Suns fans, we're just holding out hope that someone in the management grows a brain and signs Boris before its too late.

M