by Brett Edwards
Really? As if the Heat didn't have enough go their way last season, Shaq and Wade are now being very vocal over their dislike of the NBA's new official basketball. Wade is quoted as saying "Now I've got to make another adjustment with a ball that I haven't shot with at all and it's going to be a challenge. That means it's going to take a lot of late nights for me, I'll tell you that, to get really adjusted to the ball because I have no choice."
Wade also mentioned that "the biggest complaint players have with the new ball is the slippage factor, as in how much grip will be lost when players' hands sweat and that moisture gets on the ball." Shaq also chimed in with some similar sentiments that are supposed to be funny, but like all of his banter it's tired and exaggerated so I won't be repeating it here.
All I have to say about this is, GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK. These guys are the elite of the NBA, and they're complaining about shooting with a different ball?! How many times have you played pickup ball with a different ball every game, some flat, some worn out, some smaller than others, and adjusted within the first few possessions with no problem? Exactly, like every time!
I think this is just laying the groundwork for the slow start the Heat are guaranteed to get off to this season. With Shaq in fat world champion mode, and D Wade exhausted from his Finals run and then playing in the World Championships over the summer, this is nothing more than early excuses for the 14-14 start the Heat get off to this season.
I thought we'd already gotten rid of the "exhausted" excuse here already too. Have we not? Just more excuses.
Posted by: Jack | October 02, 2006 at 09:36 PM
Stern to Wade, "Don't worry, you'll still shoot 40 freethrows a night!"
Posted by: Craig | October 02, 2006 at 09:45 PM
If I was D-Wade, that's all I'd practice: Freethrows and trying to bump into guys and still get a shot off, flailing awkwardly.
Posted by: Jack | October 03, 2006 at 08:54 AM
Any of you donkeys happen to search before you write? 25 different top players are saying the new ball sucks...and the NBA is about to bring back the old leather version. So much for your ignorant comments.
Posted by: mrkleen | December 11, 2006 at 01:34 PM
Check out this 'new ball sucks' pic on http://www.pettproject.com/news_2006_12.html
Clever take on Knicks logo.
Posted by: Chris | December 24, 2006 at 02:03 AM