David Stern - JackAss of the week December 5th, 2006 - December 13th, 2006

Mike · December 5th, 2006, 10:19 PM

For being an idiot and introducing the new basketball into the game that is made of mesh and it is really pissing off the players in the NBA

The NBA believes it has a better game ball, but commissioner David Stern has acknowledged he should have talked to the players before introducing it.

"Whether or not we did enough prior to it, we're actually, well, we think this ball has many of the attributes that Spalding says it has," Stern told the New York Times in a story posted on its Web site on Tuesday. "It's an improvement in many ways. But if our players are unhappy with it, we have to analyze to the nth degree the cause of their unhappiness."

Stern said he will address the players' criticisms with Spalding, the ball manufacturer.

"Everything is on the table," he told the paper. "I'm not pleased, but I'm realistic. We've got to do the right thing here. And, of course, the right thing is to listen to our players. Whether it's a day late or not, we're dealing with this."

dieselwk · December 5th, 2006, 10:27 PM

the ball was a total marketing gimmick. the new ball is an indoor/outdoor ball which makes it cheaper and more marketable compared the traditional leather ball. the old ball didnt sell well because most kids play outside, and obviously the leather ball does not hold up if it gets wet. just the NBA trying to earn cash anyway possible.

Mike · December 6th, 2006, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselwk

the ball was a total marketing gimmick. the new ball is an indoor/outdoor ball which makes it cheaper and more marketable compared the traditional leather ball. the old ball didnt sell well because most kids play outside, and obviously the leather ball does not hold up if it gets wet. just the NBA trying to earn cash anyway possible.

Yeah but when you do something like this, you should at least take it up with the players, the ones making all the money for the league!

BtownJay · December 6th, 2006, 08:47 AM

To play devils advocate for a minute... why should he have to check with the players before making changes like this? When your boss makes a change, does he have to go to employees to see if they are going to be okay with it? No... if you don't like it, find a new job or deal with it. That doesn't mean Sterns change was a good one of course, but he doesn't need permission from the employees.

Rusty27 · December 6th, 2006, 09:06 AM

That's a little extreme.I think you have to have a good working enviroment to get the best productivity,but still be able to impliment your agenda.So, there should have been some prior player input to work out any kinks.But,you can't have the inmates run the asylum either.

BtownJay · December 6th, 2006, 09:12 AM

Yeah, and i don't totally believe what i wrote either... just wanted to throw out the other extreme arguement. Its just the problem with the NBA is the inmates (and that is a fitting name for them huh) pretty much do run the league.

Rusty27 · December 6th, 2006, 09:43 AM

Yep.A sport with no passion.I blame money and commercialism.A bunch of multi-millionaires running around that just don't care about anything but themselves and how much bling they have.Baseball is about the same way now. At least we still have football and hockey although with constant tinkering of the rules,for how long is uncertain.

BaldBil · December 6th, 2006, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BtownJay

To play devils advocate for a minute... why should he have to check with the players before making changes like this? When your boss makes a change, does he have to go to employees to see if they are going to be okay with it? No... if you don't like it, find a new job or deal with it. That doesn't mean Sterns change was a good one of course, but he doesn't need permission from the employees.

Okay you devil. In reality Stern is not truly the boss. The players for all intents and purposes are independent contracters who sign with specific teams under stipulations negotiated by the teams(thru the league) and their players association(union). If an equipments change is to be introduced it should either part of that collective bargaining agreement at it's inception or negotiated seperately as a new part of that agreement prior to it being implemented.

Oof! I am not sure if that makes sense but I now need to rest for a few moments.

ssigman · December 6th, 2006, 10:46 AM

ok lets put this in hockey terms...what if they changed the puck to a 12 pound bowling ball...the players should just go along with this cause the bosses made the decision???

BaldBil · December 6th, 2006, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssigman

ok lets put this in hockey terms...what if they changed the puck to a 12 pound bowling ball...the players should just go along with this cause the bosses made the decision???

Where would they put the gutters?

ssigman · December 6th, 2006, 10:54 AM

on the sides of the rink...the owner's made the change...player's deal with it

December 5th, 2006, 10:19 PM	#1
Mike MFIC ™ Join Date: 07-08-2002 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 10,862 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	David Stern - JackAss of the week December 5th, 2006 - December 13th, 2006 For being an idiot and introducing the new basketball into the game that is made of mesh and it is really pissing off the players in the NBA The NBA believes it has a better game ball, but commissioner David Stern has acknowledged he should have talked to the players before introducing it. "Whether or not we did enough prior to it, we're actually, well, we think this ball has many of the attributes that Spalding says it has," Stern told the New York Times in a story posted on its Web site on Tuesday. "It's an improvement in many ways. But if our players are unhappy with it, we have to analyze to the nth degree the cause of their unhappiness." Stern said he will address the players' criticisms with Spalding, the ball manufacturer. "Everything is on the table," he told the paper. "I'm not pleased, but I'm realistic. We've got to do the right thing here. And, of course, the right thing is to listen to our players. Whether it's a day late or not, we're dealing with this."

December 6th, 2006, 09:06 AM	#5
Rusty27 Good ol' Rocky Top;Rocky Top,Tennessee Join Date: 07-15-2004 Location: Knoxville,Tenn. Posts: 31,472 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	That's a little extreme.I think you have to have a good working enviroment to get the best productivity,but still be able to impliment your agenda.So, there should have been some prior player input to work out any kinks.But,you can't have the inmates run the asylum either. __________________

December 6th, 2006, 09:43 AM	#7
Rusty27 Good ol' Rocky Top;Rocky Top,Tennessee Join Date: 07-15-2004 Location: Knoxville,Tenn. Posts: 31,472 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Yep.A sport with no passion.I blame money and commercialism.A bunch of multi-millionaires running around that just don't care about anything but themselves and how much bling they have.Baseball is about the same way now. At least we still have football and hockey although with constant tinkering of the rules,for how long is uncertain. __________________

December 5th, 2006, 10:27 PM	#2
dieselwk pedros daddy Join Date: 03-17-2006 Posts: 753 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	the ball was a total marketing gimmick. the new ball is an indoor/outdoor ball which makes it cheaper and more marketable compared the traditional leather ball. the old ball didnt sell well because most kids play outside, and obviously the leather ball does not hold up if it gets wet. just the NBA trying to earn cash anyway possible.