![The new NBA ball is seen on the court during the opening NBA game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat in Miami, Florida, October 31, 2006. The traditional eight-panel leather The new NBA ball is seen on the court during the opening NBA game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat in Miami, Florida, October 31, 2006. The traditional eight-panel leather](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2E88GN0/the-new-nba-ball-is-seen-on-the-court-during-the-opening-nba-game-between-the-chicago-bulls-and-the-miami-heat-in-miami-florida-october-31-2006-the-traditional-eight-panel-leather-ball-has-been-replaced-by-a-proprietary-microfiber-material-thats-supposed-to-give-players-a-better-grip-and-allow-sweat-to-evaporate-more-quickly-according-to-russell-corps-spalding-which-makes-the-ball-reutersmarc-serota-united-states-2E88GN0.jpg)
The new NBA ball is seen on the court during the opening NBA game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat in Miami, Florida, October 31, 2006. The traditional eight-panel leather
![New NBA basketballs sit in a rack prior to the game between the Orlando Magic and the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Oregon December 1, 2006. The players' association filed an unfair New NBA basketballs sit in a rack prior to the game between the Orlando Magic and the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Oregon December 1, 2006. The players' association filed an unfair](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2E84M97/new-nba-basketballs-sit-in-a-rack-prior-to-the-game-between-the-orlando-magic-and-the-portland-trail-blazers-in-portland-oregon-december-1-2006-the-players-association-filed-an-unfair-labor-practice-charge-against-the-nba-on-friday-concerning-the-new-ball-which-is-made-from-a-microfiber-composite-this-season-instead-of-leather-reutersrichard-clement-united-states-2E84M97.jpg)
New NBA basketballs sit in a rack prior to the game between the Orlando Magic and the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Oregon December 1, 2006. The players' association filed an unfair
![This Date in NBA History (June 29): NBA announces Spalding's new synthetic basketball | Sporting News Canada This Date in NBA History (June 29): NBA announces Spalding's new synthetic basketball | Sporting News Canada](https://library.sportingnews.com/2022-01/sternpierce_wasvds2pvaak1luwwgredokdk.jpeg)
This Date in NBA History (June 29): NBA announces Spalding's new synthetic basketball | Sporting News Canada
![2006-2007 NBA Official Game Ball Composite vs. Genuine Leather Game Ball Spalding Cross Traxxion - YouTube 2006-2007 NBA Official Game Ball Composite vs. Genuine Leather Game Ball Spalding Cross Traxxion - YouTube](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RFDR8GOZ8xI/maxresdefault.jpg)
2006-2007 NBA Official Game Ball Composite vs. Genuine Leather Game Ball Spalding Cross Traxxion - YouTube
![This Date in NBA History (June 29): NBA announces Spalding's new synthetic basketball | Sporting News Canada This Date in NBA History (June 29): NBA announces Spalding's new synthetic basketball | Sporting News Canada](https://library.sportingnews.com/styles/twitter_card_120x120/s3/2022-01/spalding_5finnjeodn1r14zbgig0ru6t6.jpeg?itok=EjuDvWJV)
This Date in NBA History (June 29): NBA announces Spalding's new synthetic basketball | Sporting News Canada
![spalding official old rejected 2006 nba game ball (synthetic material & 2 panel design) basketball - YouTube spalding official old rejected 2006 nba game ball (synthetic material & 2 panel design) basketball - YouTube](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jnO_9Ns4PyI/maxresdefault.jpg)
spalding official old rejected 2006 nba game ball (synthetic material & 2 panel design) basketball - YouTube
![Kicks on Twitter: "The NBA once tried to implement a new synthetic basketball, and it went about as bad as you can imagine. Every player hated it, and within 3 months the Kicks on Twitter: "The NBA once tried to implement a new synthetic basketball, and it went about as bad as you can imagine. Every player hated it, and within 3 months the](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FblrVQNXwAAn1l1.jpg)