Spalding Official Size NBA Leather Game Basketball

Comments about Spalding Official Size NBA Leather Game Basketball:

This is a great basketball. If you were to ask me, I'd say that every penny is worth being spent on it. I quickly got used to the ball, and before I knew it, I actually loved it. Again, great quality. I purchased it myself. At first I wasn't sure, but, as soon as I actually saw it, I could not get enough. Buy this ball and take good care of it.

Comments about Spalding Official Size NBA Leather Game Basketball:

look it is the ball the pros use so it must be good right? it does take time to break in i'll admit that but you can speed up the process by putting leather conditioner on the ball.When you first get it it will feel like a cheap ball but after a while you'll love it. There is a reason this is the nba's ball of choice.

Comments about Spalding Official Size NBA Leather Game Basketball:

Purchased this ball for a regular pick-up group. The ball came out of the box slightly under-inflated. But after adjusting still was hard to handle; bounce was strange, low, didn't handle. We used the ball for all 8 games. Guys complained about the ball from beginning to end. Guys lost the handle several times, shots didn't fall, the ball is hard and slick. Returning it. We use a WAVE ball and I guess that's our ball of choice for now.

Comments about Spalding Official Size NBA Leather Game Basketball:

I bought this ball a few years ago. I was skeptical about getting it because I had read mixed reviews, but i took a chance on the hope that it would break in like many reviews said. After having had this ball for about three years, it still is terrible. When I first got it I used it for a few weeks, which would be maybe 30ish hours of playing and shooting, but nothing about the quality changed, except for a tear from something in the gym. Later on I bought a different basketball which was a lot better, but I forgot that one at school when I came home for the winter break and am stuck having to use this nba ball. I forgot how bad it was until now, I am going to be buying a new ball in the next couple of days just so I do not have to use this nba ball again.
I am very disappointed that Spalding, and the NBA allowed for this ball to be sold, especially at such a high price.

Comments about Spalding Official Size NBA Leather Game Basketball:

I use this for training and pre and post game shoot arounds

It feels great and is perfectly weighted, grips well and just feels good to shoot with.

It is expensive

Comments about Spalding Official Size NBA Leather Game Basketball:

i use this product as a collection to my already sports memorabilia

Comments about Spalding Official Size NBA Leather Game Basketball:

This is not the official NBA ball. I wish Spalding would put out the real thing that the NBA players use. I have been to an NBA game and have held the "real" ball and this is not even close. The real ball is super soft with alot of grip.

Comments about Spalding Official Size NBA Leather Game Basketball:

Spalding also produces the official Harlem Globetrotters ball. Safe to say they know what they are doing.

Comments about Spalding Official Size NBA Leather Game Basketball:

I completely understand that everybody's views about the ball differ.

However...

This ball is perfect in everyway..

Strengths of this ball;

- Great air
- The feel of the ball is great
- Good handling
- Good feel on release
- Great durability

Weaknesses;

- Needs to be broken in (but still feels great brand new)
- When you buy the leather feels very hard, but this is why it feels better after a good month of use (when it's broken in)

Whilst I was awaiting delivery I decided to contact spalding directly to see about how to break the ball in.

A few people on YouTube say to use a leather conditioner to soften the leather quicker. However Spalding told me that this was a bad idea as it will make the ball slippery and will lose it's grip. They also told me that spalding break the ball in before sending them to the NBA teams to practice with, but they do not for the ones on general sale. They use a machine that bounces the ball over 5000 times.

How to break the ball in;

What breaking the ball in means is to soften the leather on the ball, as when it is brand new it is very compact and tight.

- Use the ball often on a normal court for around 2-3 months.

- Wipe the ball down with a damp towel and dry it after use to get rid of dust.

- if you have wooden flooring in your home and your parents or wife lets you bounce the ball, bounce it around for 10 minutes a day to help break it in.

DO NOT

- Use a leather conditioner
- Use leather wipes
- Use the ball outdoors or on rough surfaces

And that is about it :) I hope my review helped and enjoy your new basketball if you decide to purchase one.

YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!

Comments about Spalding Official Size NBA Leather Game Basketball:

This is a very good basketball. If you are used to composite leather balls, this ball will feel slick, hard, and heavy. However, once you get used to this ball, the composite balls will feel cheap. As with any leather product, it takes time to "break-in". Once broken in, it has excellent feel and action.