Kevin Durant on NBA switching from Spalding to Wilson: 'Oh hell Nah!!!'
The NBA shocked fans on Wednesday when the league announced it would be switching from Spalding basketballs to Wilson starting in the 2021-22 season, and it looks like at least one player is not very happy with the switch.
Nets forward Kevin Durant voiced his displeasure with the decision on social media, where he simply wrote, "Oh hell Nah" in regards to the league moving on from Spalding.
NBA insider Chris Haynes
posted the announcement on his Instagram and Durant couldn't help but share his feelings in the comments, where his reply received 430 likes.
It's easy to dismiss Durant's complaints since it seems like he always has something to complain about. But given the NBA's longstanding history with Spalding, his response is understandable.
Spalding has been the NBA's official game ball since 1983, around the time the league started getting more popular thanks to players such as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Since then, it has been the only basketball for the careers of so many greats, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and, of course, Durant himself.
Some might note that before 1983, Wilson was the NBA official basketball brand for nearly four decades, but that may not be enough to assuage the concerns of disgruntled players and fans.
The NBA teamed up with Wilson after the league mutually agreed to part ways with Spalding. Along with the NBA, Wilson balls will now be used by the WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League (BAL). Wilson is already the official brand of ball used by the NCAA and is more popular than Spalding in high school basketball.
Perhaps once the switch is made, nobody will even remember what brand of ball is being used but don't surprised if others join Durant in criticizing the switch.
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