Buying a basketball?

[Reggie's Ghost]

After many years of faithful service, my current basketball has sprung a leak and it's time to reinvest 

Any thoughts guys?  I want as close to the official game ball as possible without spending more than $60 or so.

[Brickowski]

Where do you play?  Is it asphalt or a gym with wooden floors, or both?

[MattG12]

http://www.amazon.com/Spalding-TF-1000-Official-Size-Basketball/dp/B000LI1QY0/ref=pd_sim_sg_6

Can't go wrong with the Spalding TF 1000, cheap, good grip, good bounce.

About 45 dollars... I have this and use it for indoor and outdoor and haven't had any problems.

[EJPLAYA]

http://www.amazon.com/Spalding-TF-1000-Official-Size-Basketball/dp/B000LI1QY0/ref=pd_sim_sg_6

Can't go wrong with the Spalding TF 1000, cheap, good grip, good bounce.

About 45 dollars... I have this and use it for indoor and outdoor and haven't had any problems.

I played with this ball for years and it is a solid ball, however I switched to the Wilson Evolution after playing with it one time. Unbelievable grip. A tiny bit softer feel than the Spalding. Most importantly there was almost no break in period. The T1000 took a couple months of playing with it IMO before it was a very good ball where this one is great right out of the box or at worst a few times playing. About the same price or slightly less.

I don't think you can go wrong with this one, but since guys started bringing the Evolutions to the gym the T1000's never get played with anymore.

http://www.hitrunscore.com/b0516-wilson-evolution-basketball.html

edit: I would also add that it lasts forever. Mine is 1 1/2 years old and is still the ball of choice there, and there are some of them there that are 3 years old + and still playable. Not bad for $40.

[BASS_THUMPER]

love this..

people i play/played ball wit at the rec be sayin.."i need a leather ball"....thats garbage...i can play ball with a rolled up sock and a wire coat hanger hoop...

a ball is a ball if u truly love to ball..

[Chief]

http://www.amazon.com/Spalding-TF-1000-Official-Size-Basketball/dp/B000LI1QY0/ref=pd_sim_sg_6

Can't go wrong with the Spalding TF 1000, cheap, good grip, good bounce.

About 45 dollars... I have this and use it for indoor and outdoor and haven't had any problems.

I played with this ball for years and it is a solid ball, however I switched to the Wilson Evolution after playing with it one time. Unbelievable grip. A tiny bit softer feel than the Spalding. Most importantly there was almost no break in period. The T1000 took a couple months of playing with it IMO before it was a very good ball where this one is great right out of the box or at worst a few times playing. About the same price or slightly less.

I don't think you can go wrong with this one, but since guys started bringing the Evolutions to the gym the T1000's never get played with anymore.

http://www.hitrunscore.com/b0516-wilson-evolution-basketball.html

edit: I would also add that it lasts forever. Mine is 1 1/2 years old and is still the ball of choice there, and there are some of them there that are 3 years old + and still playable. Not bad for $40.

I've always been an Evolution guy.

[Redz]

love this..

people i play/played ball wit at the rec be sayin.."i need a leather ball"....thats garbage...i can play ball with a rolled up sock and a wire coat hanger hoop...

a ball is a ball if u truly love to ball..

I was unstoppable with a sock ball.

[Overrated]

I was just on Nike's website the other day shopping and they have an assortment of nice balls. Yuck, I don't like saying "nice balls."

My recommendation is to get an indoor/outdoor ball so you don't have to worry about where you use it.

[scoop]

The Molten GM7 is a very solid, durable and extremely affordable basketball.

[Steve Weinman]

Spalding's Indoor/Outdoor model has been my go-to for a few years now.  Haven't bought a ball in a while, but I'm presuming it's in the $30-$40 range now.

Durable, works on all surfaces, regulation size.

-sw

[mgent]

I use the Never Flat.  I think it has one of the best grips.

[droopdog7]

I used to always buy the Spalding NBA ball (twenty years ago) but sometime down the line, they changed the composition of the ball.  What I remember about that ball was that as it was used, it would turn from orange to brown.  And it got better and better as you broke it in.  Now all the Spalding feel like plastic to me. 

More recently, I have been buying Wilson balls as they feel softer.  The first one I bought was called the Jet and I can't remember the last one.  But anyway, I am guessing they have a similar model today.

[ToppersBsktball10]

http://www.amazon.com/Spalding-TF-1000-Official-Size-Basketball/dp/B000LI1QY0/ref=pd_sim_sg_6

Can't go wrong with the Spalding TF 1000, cheap, good grip, good bounce.

About 45 dollars... I have this and use it for indoor and outdoor and haven't had any problems.

My high school uses this for game balls and they're great, especially in a game. Wilson's can be nice too.

[Reggie's Ghost]

Thanks everyone for your insights, this thread has been very helpful.  I will return to let you all know what I choose.

TP to all who responded here...

[guava_wrench]

http://www.amazon.com/Spalding-TF-1000-Official-Size-Basketball/dp/B000LI1QY0/ref=pd_sim_sg_6

Can't go wrong with the Spalding TF 1000, cheap, good grip, good bounce.

About 45 dollars... I have this and use it for indoor and outdoor and haven't had any problems.

I use the same ball, as do most everyone I play with. We use in indoors and out.