Following on from this thread.
Need Help Deciding between 2 Basketballs - Spalding NBA Double Triple or Molten GN7X
fossilfuel on 12/06/2017 - 11:34
Last edited 12/06/2017 - 11:34
Last edited 12/06/2017 - 11:34
Comments
Thanks mate. It'll most likely used on flatter/smoother surfaces most of the time and on rougher surfaces sometimes. But either way, it will be used outdoor.
If you had a choice, would you prefer a more durable basketball or a basketball that feels nicer but might wear out quicker?
Do you think your mate will ever get into indoor play?
For me, I would choose the Molten because I used to play outdoors, but now play indoors and the feel of composite leather is closer to a real leather game ball. It makes a difference with shooting etc.
But if your mate is pretty much always going to play outdoors, then yep, durability would be best.
At the end of the day, they're going to be really happy with either ball if they love playing basketball.
He might but probably not in the near future. If he will, he'll probably get a better ball.
Thanks for the advice mate, very helpful and much appreciated. Still a bit torn between the two so I'll wait for some more opinions.
We aren't talking about a $300 leather ball here… it's $70 either way.
So in that case I'd definitely go feel.No point in having a ball that lasts 5 years if it feels crap to dribble and shoot with. Not the Molten is crap… it's just that it doesn't have the same feel. It's always going to feel rubbery. A completely different bounce characteristic.
Try it in store. I reckon the Spalding for sure. Even if it only lasts 2-3 years (I doubt it, should be much longer), it's $70 well spent.
Further, spend an extra $10 and get this one instead (game ball series).
https://www.spalding.com.au/basketballs/nba-game-ball-series…
Get the composite version instead of rubber.
Much better feel.
Shop around, Rebel not best place to buy.I've got the rebel vouchers so I'll be using that.
What's the main difference between rubber (Spalding) and composite leather (Molten)? Sorry, I have 0 knowledge on this matter.
I'm not a fan of the Molten. The local comp uses them sometimes and I hate how they bounce. Plus I find the channels a little too deep and the ball sometimes doesn't bounce straight. It's barely there but its noticeable.
That's why I suggested going to a composite from Spalding.
The ball I linked to (Spalding composite game ball series) is also sold at Rebel, but it's $99 (not reduced).
If you can stretch that far go that one.I can stretch that far. With the up&go vouchers, it's not too hard to meet that goal.
I'm wondering if it's worth going that far as the ball will mainly be used outside and will get destroyed quicker than with indoor use.
There's also the issue that he might think it's worth too much to be used outdoors and might not use it at all.
Ok.
A couple of questions. Who's "he"?
I'm assuming a son? (correct me if I'm wrong)
How old?
How long has he been playing?Or is it just for shooting around for someone exploring whether basketball is 'for them'?
As I said earlier, we aren't talking about an expensive leather ball- which is most certainly indoor only.
This thing is designed to play inside AND out.
No matter what you buy, it's going to wear out faster playing on outside surfaces.If it's for someone younger who won't look after it and leave it outside in the rain and hot sun, then go rubber and go cheaper until they are old enough to look after a better ball.
The composite doesn't need babying, but it does need to come into the garage or bedroom when finished.
Like all basketballs, it won't tolerate being kicked and abused either.But if we are talking about a mid to late teens player looking for something decent to develop their game (a couple of assumptions there, please correct if wrong), then this ball is ideal.
Happy to discuss further. Basketball is a passion of mine.
In regards to him being resistant to playing with it outside…. he shouldn't be.
It's going to get marked/chipped even with inside use. Balls hit the sides of the backboard or lights, or otherwise get damaged and wear out.
It's easy to treat them "too good" but you need to remember that they are designed to be used.
If he's playing with it so much that its starting to wear out, that's a good thing!
The price is then worth it.The only time I'd consider not buying it is if its not going to be used for lack of interest (and of course the age thing I already mentioned).
If he's keen on the game, get him something half decent. This isn't Rolls Royce (a $300 ball) that needs proper care.
But its that half way inbetween… where outside play is going to happen frequently and rubber is for the rookies that don't know the difference.
If he's a little more than that, go the composite.@UFO: Thanks for the detailed response mate, I really appreciate it!
It's for a good mate of mine, about early 20s. He has played in the past for many years, is decent at the game and is passionate about it, but lacks a ball at the moment.
I'm not a fan of the Molten. The local comp uses them sometimes and I hate how they bounce. Plus I find the channels a little too deep and the ball sometimes doesn't bounce straight. It's barely there but its noticeable.
Do these issues apply to all Molten balls or just some? What's channelling and how much do these imperfections affect gameplay?
In regards to him being resistant to playing with it outside…. he shouldn't be.
It's going to get marked/chipped even with inside use. Balls hit the sides of the backboard or lights, or otherwise get damaged and wear out.We've only ever played with cheapish $20-30 balls outside. I've asked him before whether he wants me to bring my nicer ball (costs about ~$50) but he says he doesn't want to see it get ruined which is why I think the $99 composite Spalding ball may not be ideal. Anything under $100 I can fork out. I want to a find a middle ground; a good (but not excellent and overly expensive) ball that he'll actually use outside.
I've gone into store before and had a look at the Molten. I like the feel of it and it bounces fine. Haven't had a look at the Spalding yet but will do so when I get time.
Thanks again for the reply!
You're welcome :)
Mate, go with your gut. Like I said there's nothing 'wrong' with Molten, its just personal preference that Spalding feels better to me. Molten feel more "sticky" when dry, but a little sweat on them and they are crap imo. The channeling I refer to are the black lines in the ball. Some of the Moltens have deep lines… enough to deflect the ball when the ball bounces on the edge of one of them. But if you like the feel of them, go nuts. They have decent balls imo when you go higher up in the range, but if you like the feel of their outdoor composites, then get one of them instead. We aren't talking hundreds of dollars here. Try it, and if you like it great… if not, buy another and use the first one as a back up.
Being that your mate sounds like he's had some good experience and is old enough, I really think upping the budget to a nicer ball would be fine.
Listen, he doesn't have to know exactly how much the ball cost. It's an Indoor/Outdoor ball. It's designed to be played outdoors so won't be "ruined" by it at all. Any ball is going to wear outside, but it'll take a few years of regular play to wear it out to the point of not being able to play with it. In the meantime you'll get great use out of it. Basketball shoes, cricket equipment, footy's….. they all wear out. You can't expect a decent ball to not wear out. That's what happens. But being afraid to use it because it'll wear is a silly reason not to use something already designed to be used outdoors!
I really think there's a little overthinking going on :). I'm not rockerfeller, but $100 isn't too much for a ball. I've got a few nice leather ones that I treat carefully and only use inside. But Indoor/Outdoor composites are designed for harsher use, so use them as intended!
An excellent indoor leather ball worth $250-300 would be wrecked outside in short order. A rubber ball will wear the least, and the good middle ground is a composite. Price is also middle ground. I honestly won't play with a rubber ball outside anymore…. there's that much of a difference to me. Middle ground is what you are aiming for, so go middle ground!!
BTW, your $50 ball is screaming to be used outside! What are you saving it for?!? Christmas?! :)
In the last thread you said it would be mainly for outdoor use. What kind of surfaces? Flat concrete or rougher bitumen?
If it's the rougher services, rubber would be better (more durable, so the Spalding). If it's flatter surfaces, then composite leather (better feel/quality, so the Molten).