2008 Woodie Awards
2006-07 NBA Preview
Chris Benini
Issue date: 11/10/06 Section: Sports
Originally published: 11/9/06 at 6:17 PM EST
Last update: 11/9/06 at 6:17 PM EST
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The NBA season is off and running once again and the main topic of discussion has been the new ball. The NBA has switched from a leather ball to a micro fiber composite.
The new ball is supposed to have a better handle, grip and feel than the old leather ball.
Many players have already spoken out against the new ball saying that the old ball was better, including Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns and Shaquille O' Neal of the Miami Heat.
Players have also spoken in favor of the ball, including Kyle Korver of the 76ers and Kobe Bryant of the Lakers.
David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA, has said repeatedly that the league is committed to the ball long-term and insists that it is better than the old ball and isn't about the money.
There were several notable moves in the off-season. The largest was Ben Wallace's departure from the Detroit Pistons to join division rival Chicago Bulls.
Wallace signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Bulls.
By taking Wallace away from the Pistons it was like getting two players in one.
They took a star away from the Pistons, while at the same time adding one to their own roster.
Wallace adds an inside defensive presence that Chicago has lacked in previous years.
With Wallace, Chicago becomes an Eastern Conference powerhouse and is one of the top contenders to win the Eastern Conference Championship, and maybe even an NBA Championship.
Some other new faces in new places are Peja Stojakovic, moving from the Indiana Pacers to the New Orleans Hornets, and T.J. Ford is now a Toronto Raptor after he was traded there in the off-season for Charlie Villanueva.
There were a few changes on the sideline as well. After the firing of Larry Brown, General Manager Isaiah Thomas is the Head Coach of the New York Knicks.
Thomas has been given one year to drastically improve the team or he could be out of a job as both head coach and general manager.
In Golden State, offensive mastermind Don Nelson is the new coach of the Golden State Warriors.
Nelson was the coach of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the '90s when Dallas was one of the top offenses in the NBA.
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