How much does an nba basketball cost

How Much Does an Authentic NBA Game Ball Cost?

Today’s NBA is one of the most entertaining athletic spectacles there is. World-class superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry fly up and down the court with incredible precision, grace, and athleticism. But as you’re watching these players play, how often do you consider the tools they are using? 

Have you ever considered what an NBA game ball is made out of, who produces it, and how much money it’s worth? It’s probably more than you think. Let’s take a closer look at the ridiculous amount that one NBA game ball costs. 

The history of the NBA basketball

While a lot of equipment goes into the NBA game, there’s no single piece of equipment more important than the ball. And that piece of equipment has a history nearly as old as the game itself.

The first basketball ever used wasn’t a basketball at all. When Dr. James Naismith developed the game in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, he had the first players use a soccer ball to play the game.

Naismith then went to A.G. Spalding and asked him to design a ball specifically for this game. The game’s official rules Naismith wrote mandated that Spalding make all official balls used for the sport. 

How the basketball has evolved throughout the years

Spalding designed the first synthetic leather basketball in 1972. In 1983, Spalding’s basketball became the official basketball of the NBA. In 1992, Spalding introduced the composite leather basketball, which had a lighter touch but also added durability.

Finally in 1997, Spalding became the official ball of the WNBA — this ball resembled the NBA’s ball, only it was orange and white instead of solid orange.

Spalding’s name is essentially synonymous with the NBA and WNBA now. It’s also synonymous with the idea of playing basketball for many young hoopers who play in elementary, middle, and high school as well as in college.

But while many people probably think the basketballs used professionally are the same standard-issue balls used in gyms all around the country, that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

How much does an authentic NBA game ball cost? 

The cost of an authentic, game-ready NBA basketball is probably way more than you think. It’s also way more than what you’d drop walking into a sporting goods store to buy most kinds of basketball. 

A Spalding replica ball retails at $59.99. At most sporting goods stores, you can get an indoor basketball for probably around $30. If you guessed either of those prices for how much an actual NBA game ball costs, you’d be way off. According to the Spalding website, an official NBA game ball costs $169.99. 

The Spalding website advertises the following features of their NBA game basketballs: 

• Official NBA size and weight: Size 7, 29. 5″
• Full-grain Horween leather cover
• Ships inflated
• Designed for indoor play only

What does this mean? It means Spalding puts a lot of resources into the NBA’s actual balls – more than the resources that go into the basketballs that hit the shelves of most sporting goods retailers. You can obviously buy one of these, but they’re a lot less readily available than those other modestly-priced basketballs.

One important distinction? The ball is marked for indoor play only. Many Spalding balls double as indoor/outdoor balls that can be used in either setting. These are custom-made to be used on NBA hardwood floors. Using them anywhere else could do significant damage to the ball. 

While it’s true the NBA basketball is a bit pricier than the average ball, for the cost mentioned above you can have one of your own. Just be sure to take good care of it and not use it outdoors as it could be damaged — and you’ll be $169.99 lighter. 

Which NBA Teams Offer the Most Affordable Home Games?

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For many families, attending sports games has become a luxury due to the increasing costs associated with the live game experience. With the 2013-14 NBA season having just begun, it’s important for basketball fans to know how they can cut the escalating costs of attending a game. To address this, we asked the following questions as we analyzed the costs of attending a home game for each of the 30 NBA teams:

1. How much do various items commonly purchased at sporting events – tickets, beer, soda, hot dogs and parking – cost at every NBA arena?

We looked at median 2013-14 ticket prices on the resale market for each team, along with average prices of 16 oz. of beer, 16 oz. of soda, a hot dog, and parking.

2. How much does the average home game experience cost for a family of four for each of the 30 teams?

We calculated a “Total Family Cost” (TFC) for each team to assess the cost for a family of four to attend a home game for each team: the total price of four tickets purchased on the secondary market, two 16 oz. beers, two 16 oz. sodas, four hot dogs and one parking space.

3. How can a family of four effectively and reasonably cut costs when going to an NBA game?

We reviewed the relative costs for each of the 30 teams to explore where families can take advantage of certain prices and where they should avoid certain costs.

A family of four can expect to pay an average of nearly half a grand to attend an NBA game this season. That includes an average median resale ticket price of $96.57. The resale market offers a more accurate representation of the demand for a team’s tickets, so ticket prices will fluctuate throughout the season based on team performance and the opponent’s strength. Families looking to take in an NBA game in their city will be able to hunt for value tickets on the secondary market throughout the season.

Analysis reveals that the Cleveland Cavaliers are the most affordable NBA team to watch, whereas the New York Knicks are at the other end of the spectrum as the most expensive team to root for. In fact, the Total Family Cost for the Knicks is nearly four times that of the Cavaliers and the median ticket price for games at Madison Square Garden is nearly five times as much. A basketball fan in New York could purchase a $100 Amtrak ticket to Cleveland along with an average-priced ticket to a Cavaliers game and still pay less than he would for most Knicks tickets.

Check out the complete list of all 30 NBA teams in order of lowest Total Family Cost to highest and click on your favorite team to read more about how it stacks up against the rest of the league in terms of affordability.

Rank	Team	Median Resale Ticket Price	16oz. Beer	16oz. Soda	Hot Dog	Parking	Total Family Cost (TFC)
1	Cleveland Cavaliers	$42.00	$9.33	$4.50	$5.50	$5.00	$222.67
2	Indiana Pacers	$55.00	$6. 00	$3.25	$4.00	$8.00	$262.50
3	Dallas Mavericks	$52.00	$5.33	$4.00	$4.00	$20.00	$262.67
4	Memphis Grizzlies	$55.00	$7.50	$3.20	$5.00	$15.00	$276.40
5	San Antonio Spurs	$59.00	$5.00	$2.50	$4.75	$8.00	$278.00
6	Denver Nuggets	$60.00	$4.17	$4.25	$4.50	$16.00	$290.83
7	New Orleans Pelicans	$60.00	$5.60	$5.33	$4.00	$15.00	$292.87
8	Milwaukee Bucks	$60.00	$6.50	$5.50	$4.00	$18.00	$298.00
9	Washington Wizards	$64.00	$5.33	$5.00	$5. 50	$20.00	$318.67
10	Minnesota Timberwolves	$65.00	$9.33	$4.33	$5.50	$15.00	$324.33
11	Detroit Pistons	$74.00	$4.67	$2.80	$3.00	$10.00	$332.93
12	Utah Jazz	$76.00	$6.00	$2.55	$3.50	$10.00	$345.09
13	Sacramento Kings	$75.00	$5.60	$4.75	$4.00	$10.00	$346.70
14	Philadelphia 76ers	$81.00	$10.33	$3.00	$4.50	$12.00	$380.67
15	Charlotte Bobcats	$89.00	$6.50	$3.27	$4.50	$5.00	$398.55
16	Boston Celtics	$85.00	$8.00	$4.57	$4.75	$34. 00	$418.14
17	Phoenix Suns	$95.00	$6.00	$2.73	$3.00	$13.00	$422.45
18	Orlando Magic	$95.00	$5.25	$3.50	$4.00	$10.00	$423.50
19	Portland Trail Blazers	$92.00	$7.00	$5.00	$6.00	$13.00	$429.00
20	Golden State Warriors	$95.00	$6.00	$4.00	$5.75	$18.00	$441.00
21	Atlanta Hawks	$111.00	$7.00	$2.86	$4.75	$10.00	$492.71
22	Toronto Raptors	$110.00	$7.29	$4.99	$5.44	$19.44	$505.77
23	Houston Rockets	$120.00	$7.25	$3.09	$6.00	$15.00	$539. 68
24	Brooklyn Nets	$127.00	$7.75	$4.00	$5.75	$17.00	$571.50
25	Los Angeles Clippers	$130.00	$10.00	$3.60	$5.75	$15.00	$585.20
26	Miami Heat	$155.00	$5.33	$3.33	$6.00	$35.00	$696.33
27	Oklahoma City Thunder	$170.00	$5.00	$3.75	$4.00	$5.00	$718.50
28	Chicago Bulls	$165.00	$7.50	$4.20	$5.75	$20.00	$726.40
29	Los Angeles Lakers	$180.00	$12.00	$3.60	$5.75	$15.00	$789.20
30	New York Knicks	$200.00	$9.00	$3.60	$5.75	$30.00	$878.20
	NBA average	$96. 57	$6.92	$3.84	$4.82	$15.21	$442.28

1.    Cleveland Cavaliers

Finally beginning to recover from the void left by Lebron James’ departure in 2010, the Cavaliers offer the cheapest live game experience for families with a TFC of $223. Cavs ticket prices on the resale market are the lowest in the entire league. Fans can also take advantage of the $5 parking costs, among the cheapest of all teams. For a squad expected to be greatly improved and contend for a playoff spot this season with young superstar Kyrie Irving leading the way, families can definitely find great value with Cavs games.

2.    Indiana Pacers  

After pushing the reigning champions Miami Heat to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Pacers have gotten off to the best start in the NBA thus far into the young 2013-14 season, aided by the emergence of star forward Paul George. Even so, the Pacers have the second lowest TFC in the entire league at less than $263, making them perhaps the best value in the NBA from a cost-quality standpoint. Tickets on the resale market are third lowest of all teams, and beer, soda, hot dog and parking prices are all lower than average. Families should definitely take advantage of the undervalued resale tickets before the team’s success causes a dramatic increase in prices.

3.    Dallas Mavericks  

After enjoying a run as one of the most successful NBA teams of the past decade, the Mavericks failed to qualify the playoffs last season for the first time in 12 years. That, along with the decline of aging Dirk Nowitzki, has caused a dip in ticket prices, resulting in the third lowest TFC of all teams at $263. Resale ticket prices are second lowest in the league and beer and hot dog prices are among the ten lowest. However, given the affordability of every other amenity at American Airlines Center, fans may be surprised by the sky-high cost of parking, which is tied for third most expensive at $20.

4.    Memphis Grizzlies  

With the fourth lowest TFC ($276), the Grizzlies present a great value for their fans. The franchise is coming off of its first appearance in the Western Conference Finals last season and should be a lock for another postseason berth this year. Therefore, the team’s median ticket price of $55, about $40 less than the league average, should come as a bit of a pleasant surprise to fans. Families hoping to attend games at the FedExForum this year will enjoy below-average prices on soda and parking in addition to the relatively cheap tickets on the resale market.

5.    San Antonio Spurs  

Over the last 15 years, the Spurs have been one of the most successful franchises in all of sports, winning four NBA championships in that period and barely losing to the Miami Heat in the 2013 NBA Finals. Luckily for Spurs fans, the team continues to somehow be underrated in favor of larger-market teams, resulting in the fifth lowest TFC in the league at $278. Median ticket prices are just $59 and other costs are significantly lower than league averages – the Spurs offer the cheapest soda in the NBA at $2.50 for 16 oz. These low prices, along with the Spurs’ history of excellence on the court, make the team one of the best values in the NBA for families.

6.    Denver Nuggets  

Coming off a long stretch of regular season success, the Nuggets are entering a new era. Ticket prices have decreased dramatically from last year, resulting in a TFC of $291. Fans in Colorado (home to several major breweries) can especially take advantage of the lowest beer prices in the NBA – 16 oz. of beer at a Nuggets home game cost about a third of the price one would pay at a Lakers game.

7.    New Orleans Pelicans  

Formerly known as the Hornets, the Pelicans are looking to build their franchise through a new team name, new ownership and a young roster. The team may not have enough experience to make the playoffs in the competitive Western Conference this year, but families in New Orleans can take in a live home game with this talented team for a relatively low price – the Pelicans’ TFC of $293 is seventh lowest in the league. Although soda is more expensive at New Orleans Arena than almost any other NBA arena, beer and hot dogs cost less than average.

8.    Milwaukee Bucks  

The Bucks haven’t tasted playoff success in many years and are in the midst of a transition period as they hope to build a team that can compete.  Families in Milwaukee can enjoy the eighth lowest costs in the NBA – the Bucks’ TFC of $298 is $144 below the league average. Parking costs are among the ten most expensive, but beer prices are at the league-wide average and hot dog prices are tied for third cheapest. However, soda at BMO Harris Bradley Center is the most expensive of all 30 teams.

9.     Washington Wizards  

The Wizards are one of many teams in the Eastern Conference hoping to make the leap to earning a playoff spot this year. The team’s TFC of $319 is only the ninth lowest in the league, making them a very reasonable value. Although ticket prices should increase if Washington legitimately threatens to make the postseason as the year progresses, fans should be able to find good deals on tickets on the resale market depending on the matchup. Beer prices at Verizon Center are lower than average, but families should avoid most other costs, including parking, for which the Wizards charge the fourth highest figure in the NBA.

10.   Minnesota Timberwolves  

The Timberwolves are expected to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004 and have gotten off to a strong start this season behind the efforts of their star player, Kevin Love. Still, ticket prices on the resale market for Wolves’ home games are much lower than average and the team’s TFC of $324 is tenth lowest. Families should take advantage of undervalued tickets on the resale market before the team’s success drives prices up, but they may want to do their best to avoid spending on food and drinks at games – beer, soda, and hot dog prices at Target Center are all higher than average.

11.   Detroit Pistons  

The Pistons rank 11^th in the league with a TFC of $333. Median ticket prices for the team, which is expected to compete for a playoff spot this season, are near the middle of the pack. However, beer, soda, hot dog and parking prices are all among the six lowest of the 30 teams in their respective categories, meaning families can get great value for the entire package if they can find good deals on resale tickets.

12.   Utah Jazz  

The Jazz let go of a couple veteran players this offseason and are hoping to rebuild through the development of several young and talented players on the roster. However, a rebuilding year typically means a team will lose many games and the Jazz has gone winless through two weeks of the 2013-14 season. The team’s TFC of $345 is 12^th lowest among all the teams. However, families who want to attend games at EnergySolutions Arena can expect resale ticket prices to decrease throughout the season, at which point they can take advantage of cheap games, as well as the NBA’s second lowest and third lowest prices for soda and hot dogs, respectively.

13.   Sacramento Kings  

Sacramento almost lost its NBA team this past year when a possible relocation to Seattle was ultimately rejected. With new ownership (who paid an NBA record $535 million to acquire the team) and renewed spirits, the franchise looks to rebuild towards success. The Kings’ TFC of $347 is 13^th lowest in the league and is about $100 less than the NBA average. Moreover, beer, hot dog and parking costs are all lower than average so Sacramento families can definitely optimize their live game experience by hunting for value tickets on the resale market throughout the season.

14.   Philadelphia 76ers  

The 76ers entered the 2013-14 season with a roster thought to be largely devoid of any major talent, leading to many projections that the team would be the worst in the NBA. However, Philadelphia has started the season in strong fashion and has surprised many fans. The team’s TFC of $381 is below the league average, but isn’t low enough to reflect the “worst-in-the-league” level expected of their performance this year. As the season develops, expect ticket prices to continue dropping, meaning families can likely find very cheap tickets on the resale market if the team begins to lose a few games in a row. However, beer should probably be avoided at Wells Fargo Center, where the 76ers charge the second highest price in the NBA.

15.   Charlotte Bobcats

The Bobcats have only made the postseason once in the team’s nine year existence and are perennially among the league’s worst teams. Therefore, it’s a bit surprising to see the team in the middle of the pack with a TFC of $399. Charlotte has upgraded their roster this season and could surprise some teams, so families can take advantage by finding some discount home tickets on the resale market and enjoying $5 parking costs, tied for the lowest of all 30 teams.

16.   Boston Celtics  

The good news for Celtics fans is that the franchise, historically one of the best in the entire league in terms of championship success, has seen a decrease in ticket prices for the 2013-14 season. The bad news, however, is the reason for this decrease – the team is projected to be one of the worst in the NBA this year as it looks to rebuild after the end of the “Big 3” era. Boston’s TFC of $85 is right in the middle of the league. TD Garden’s beer and soda prices are among the most expensive, and parking is especially pricey at $34. Families would be wise to hunt for discount tickets on the secondary market and commute to Celtics games this season.

17.   Phoenix Suns  

The Suns, another team projected by most to be among the worst in the NBA this season, have also been a surprise by starting the 2013-14 season on a tear. With a new General Manager, a rookie Head Coach and a roster filled with young, inexperienced talent, Phoenix is clearly rebuilding for the future but has somehow exceeded almost everyone’s expectations thus far. The Suns’ TFC of $422 is just below the league average with the 13^th highest median ticket prices of 30 teams. Although those ticket prices may change based on the team’s performance throughout the season, families can definitely take advantage of below-average prices on beer, soda and parking, as well as the cheapest hot dog in the NBA.

18.   Orlando Magic  

The Magic is currently in the midst of a rebuilding period with a roster full of young, talented, but mostly unproven players. However, their ticket prices don’t really reflect this, as the median price on the secondary market of $95 is tied for 10^th highest of all teams. The Magic’s TFC of $424 is only just below the league average. The Magic is Orlando’s only major sports team, so a demand exists even for a subpar team. Families can find cheaper tickets throughout the course of the season on the resale market and take advantage of the below-average food, drink and parking costs.

19.   Portland Trail Blazers  

The Portland Trail Blazers are hoping to use the talents of reigning Rookie of the Year, Damian Lillard, to fight for a playoff spot this season.  Expectations are higher this year than last and they are reflected in increased ticket prices for the 2013-14 season. The Blazers’ $429 TFC is 12^th highest in the NBA. Ticket, beer and parking prices are all at about the NBA average but hot dogs at home games are tied for most expensive in the league.

20.   Golden State Warriors  

After a surprisingly successful 2012-13 season, the Warriors are expected to be one of the best teams in the Western Conference this year with one of the league’s most electrifying young stars in Stephen Curry. Reflecting this, ticket prices on the secondary market increased greatly, leaving Golden State with the eleventh highest TFC in the league at $441. All the categorical prices for Golden State are near or above the league averages, including parking costs, which fans can avoid by taking BART to Oracle Arena.

21.   Atlanta Hawks  

The Hawks’ TFC of $493 has them as the tenth most expensive team for families. The team has made the playoffs for six straight years and even with a new Coach and General Manager at the helm this year, Atlanta’s median ticket prices are among the ten most expensive. Families hoping to catch a few games at Philips Arena do have an advantage in parking prices, where they can find a spot for $10, among the ten lowest parking costs of all 30 teams.

22.   Toronto Raptors  

As the only NBA team located outside of the U.S., the Raptors have a unique local fan base. Even though the team has never quite achieved much success since its inception in 1995 and is now a borderline contender for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the team has the ninth highest TFC in the NBA at $506. The team charges higher than average prices in every category included in the methodology. Canadian families who want to attend an NBA game don’t really have many choices so accepting these costs to watch an average team this season is a choice they have to make.

23.   Houston Rockets  

After the emergence of James Harden last year and the offseason signing of Dwight Howard, the Rockets have entered the 2013-14 season with very high expectations. Their TFC of $540 is 8^th in the NBA and nearly $100 higher than the league-wide average. Beer and parking costs are near the league average and soda prices are relatively low, but families hoping to enjoy hot dogs during games will have to pay more than fans of 27 other teams.

24.   Brooklyn Nets  

Barclays Center is the newest and most expensive NBA arena ever built, so it’s not a surprise to see the Nets rank among the ten most expensive teams for beer, hot dogs and parking. The team is also projected to be a contender in the Eastern Conference this season and boasts a roster full of recognizable faces, which has definitely been reflected in Brooklyn’s TFC of $572, the seventh highest of all teams. Families hoping to catch a Nets game this year will definitely have to reach deep into their wallets.

25.   Los Angeles Clippers  

Long considered to be an afterthought in the LA basketball scene, the Clippers have finally become a consistent playoff contender. Expectations are high this season, as are ticket prices. The team has the sixth most expensive tickets on the resale market, resulting in the sixth highest TFC of all teams at $585. Playing in the same arena as the rival Lakers, the Clippers will prove to be the better value between the two teams this season from a fan cost perspective.

26.   Miami Heat  

The Miami Heat are coming off of two straight NBA championships and are the favorites to win it all again in the 2013-14 season. It should come as no surprise that Heat home games are among the most expensive in the league. The team’s TFC of $696 is the fourth highest in the league and its median ticket price of $155 is fifth most expensive. For the best team in the league two straight years and the best player in Lebron James, that’s not necessarily bad value. However, families hoping to enjoy a game at American Airlines Arena should try to avoid certain costs, such as the most expensive hot dog ($6) and parking ($35) in the NBA.

27.   Oklahoma City Thunder  

Behind young superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder is now one of the best teams in the NBA year in and year out. Although the team is in a relatively small market, it is the only major professional sports team in the state and its TFC of $719 is the fourth highest in the league. Ticket prices on the resale marker are the third highest of all teams, only costing less than Knicks and Lakers games. The good news? Parking costs are the lowest in the NBA and beer prices are tied for third lowest.

28.   Chicago Bulls  

Bulls tickets for the 2013-14 season have seen a solid increase in price on the resale market due to the return of superstar Derrick Rose, who missed all of last season to recover from a knee injury. Now, the Bulls, who have consistently enjoyed a large fan base since the Michael Jordan years, are the third-most expensive team to watch live, with a TFC of $726. Tickets prices are fourth highest and beer, soda, hot dog and parking costs are all on the more expensive side.

29.   Los Angeles Lakers  

The Lakers are one of the most successful teams in NBA history and are a brand unto themselves. However, the team is projected by most to have a disappointing season as star Kobe Bryant recovers from an Achilles injury. Even in a down year with lower ticket prices, the Lakers’ TFC of $789 is the second highest in the NBA. Soda price is the only category where the Lakers fans can enjoy a below-average cost. If families want to attend a Lakers game at Staples Center regardless of team quality, this is most likely the season to do so due to relatively lower prices, but they will still be paying a premium for the Laker brand.

30.   New York Knicks  

Knicks games are by far the most expensive to attend of all 30 teams in the NBA. The team’s 2013-14 TFC of $878 is the highest in the league, nearly $100 more than the second most expensive team, the Lakers, and almost twice as much as the league-wide average of $442. Knicks tickets are the most expensive on the retail market with a median price of $200 and the team ranks among the six most expensive in the NBA for beer, hot dogs and parking. Madison Square Garden is one of the most famous and recognizable stadiums in the world and the Knicks franchise is regularly listed as one of the most valuable in sports, so the fact that the team is a playoff contender will only make it more difficult for families to fit attending games into their budgets.

Median resale ticket prices were obtained from Vivid Seats. Beer, soda, hot dog and parking prices were obtained from Team Marketing Report.

NBA parting ways with the legendary Spalding. Why did the basketball turn orange? - Bank shot - Blogs

Editor's Note: This text was released on Sports.ru on September 10, 2019. We lift it up because today is the end of an era: the NBA has stopped working with Spalding, whose balls have accompanied the league since '83.

Today the ball is the most recognizable part of basketball. But initially it was not so.

When, on the morning of December 21, 1891, James Naismith, a physical instructor at Springfield College, fired up with a new idea, came to work, he did not particularly think about what qualities the projectile should have. All he understood was that for the new game he invented, he needed a large ball. So he tried on two football versions - for rugby and for soccer. The rugby ball is elongated so that it can be carried in the hands, but the rules of the new game just prohibited it, so he took the round one.

The third rule in Namesit's legendary manifesto was: A player may not run with the ball. He must throw it from the place where he caught it; some movement is allowed if the ball was caught at high speed.

At first, the students played only in this way - they could either pass or roll the ball on the ground. Dribbling was first used by students at Yale University in 1897, and from there it spread throughout the world. At first, only one hit to the floor could be made, from 1909 the restrictions were lifted. In 1903, players who dribbled were banned from throwing until 1915.

And throughout the first third of the 20th century, basketball purists did not stop trying to fight this heretical change in Naismith's 13 commandments.

This was partly logical - and due to the fact that the game balls themselves were completely unsuitable for crossovers, shamgods and other Enduan things.

Basketball was first played with soccer balls .

The first basketball was made in the mid-90s by the bicycle factory Overman Wheel Co. from Massachusetts. It was lighter and larger than the soccer ball that had been played before.

And in the late 1890s, Naismith asked AJ Spaulding to develop an improved version of the basketball. True, even this was not very even, not very round and had lacing, which made dribbling difficult. In addition, such balls were 7-8 centimeters larger in diameter than modern ones, and much heavier than .

Well, they traditionally had an unpleasant dark brown color.

Naturally, basketball players were most infuriated by lacing, so Chuck Taylor could not ignore this problem. The founding father of Chuck Taylor All-Stars has always claimed to have played for professional and semi-pro teams for 11 years. And although this fact from his biography is poorly documented, it is obvious that he was rather tired of the crooked ball. In 1935, his company began to produce not only basketball shoes, but also released the first ball without lacing. Both the Converse All Star sneakers and the changed shell - for greater stability it now consisted of eight parts, and not four - at the official level akin to basketball in the next thirty years.

An unobvious moment: many people were convinced that a basketball has a natural color, skin color. In fact, this is not so: it was artificially dyed and given the traditional brown color.

Many players didn't like her, especially those with vision problems. But to make a radical change, it took the intervention of television.

In the mid-1950s, the TV crew insisted that the ball was hard to see from the stands and not very good on the television picture, and insisted on changing the color scheme . By 1957, it was decided that the balls would become light brown or even yellow.

And here another Indiana basketball representative had to intervene. Butler varsity head coach Tony Hinkle decided to develop an original color scheme and worked with Spalding to come up with the more radical orange colorway .

The new projectile debuted in the 1958 NCAA Final Four and won everyone over. The NCAA then switched to orange, and all other leagues gradually followed.

However, there has never been any stable variant - for half a century, about 50 gradations of orange / brown / dark brown have been used.

No one pissed off a dark brown ball more than center George Mikan, the first "greatest player in basketball history." To modern fans, he is known mainly for playing with thick glasses, and more like a militant nerd than a basketball player.

“I didn't see this crap at all,” Maikan said. - Then the arenas were even much worse lit, and the ball blended into the background. If you watched basketball on TV, then this shit-colored thing was not particularly visible.

Maikan was helpless to change anything as a player. But in 1967, the NBA had an aggressive competitor - the ABA - and the former bespectacled center was appointed its commission agent. So the first thing he decided to do was throw a brown ball out of the modern ship. The league was called American, and therefore they decided that the new ball would have the color of the American flag .

The owners of the ABA clubs disagreed for a long time: for them, a ball of this color symbolized almost the desecration of the national flag. But then Maikan balked and threatened to resign, and this is how the most legendary ball in the history of basketball appeared. In subsequent years, about 30 million shells of this color were sold in America - however, the ABA forgot to acquire a patent and practically did not earn anything from it.

In the 1980s, this color came back into fashion thanks to the efforts of the Beastie Boys. And it is still not clear why NBA commissioner David Stern, who knows how to make money on everything, tested many of the ABA's marketing moves, but never adopted the red-blue-white ball.

Maybe that's why.

“I came up with a trick that I used exclusively in the ABA,” said Roger Brown, one of the stars of that league. - The feint was associated with the color of the ball. When he spun in the air, he produced a kind of hypnotic effect. So I took the ball and started to twist it, as it were. Some defenders watched this as if spellbound, and one second was enough for me to break away from them.

The George Mikan Revolution not only destroyed the reverence for the traditional color of the ball, but also introduced various questions into the public plane about what qualities a projectile should have in general.

Players and coaches in the ABA constantly complained that the balls were supposedly made of a different material, and therefore slipped too much (this is how they explained the monstrous number of losses in the league).

It took a lot of time and almost specially organized trips to the factories to convince everyone that the only difference is the colors.

No one protested openly in the NBA. But various ancillary measures were taken covertly: for example, Phil Jackson said that his teams - Chicago and the Lakers - dropped balls so that he would not bounce far from the shield and so that Jordan or Shaq could grab him with one hand . He was taught this trick by his Knicks coach Red Holtzman, who himself had been performing since the era of the lace-up ball. And some said that they treated the balls with sandpaper so that they were not so slippery.

With the development of technology, designers have already become the players.

In the 90's there was a pitted version of the golf ball. But they still preferred pimples.

New components and structures have been introduced to wick away moisture so that the ball does not slip in sweaty hands.

With the use of synthetic materials, the color scheme has also become completely chaotic: on the streets you can find balls of a wide variety, from black and orange to the colors of any club.

Only professional leagues stick to the orange/brown tradition and dare to make minimal assumptions.