I’m really picky with everything I do so when it comes to basketball shopping it drives me nuts when I have to dig through tons of balls without these defects or quality issues. It used to never be this way when the big two,Wilson and Spalding , were smaller and less branded. Nowadays it seems like they are just making products while conceding quality but in a discreet way where the majority of consumers wouldn’t notice .
Here are my pet peeves:
Unevenly glued channels/ seams
The top ball is a Spalding tf1000 classic while the bottom ball is a wilson evolution . This is a newer run of the ball which has a glossier “wilson” on the ball.
Here is my old Tf1000 and older Evo
Back then the companies didn’t piece the channels together or they did so meticulously. The evo actually is pieced together but it is matched almost seamlessly. The tf channels are one piece which makes putting the cover on much more difficult . I wonder if the new tf1000 that they made are created this way ? Obviously it is cheaper and easier to just glue each channel and section separately.
Uneven seams on the cover
This drives me crazy as well. When the cover isn’t perfectly flush you can feel that excess cover . These balls aren’t even that bad compared to what else I saw. For some reason Eastbay gets the worst balls so I’ve had to send every single one back bc there even my beloved Wilson NCAA GAME BALL. I think I tried three times to get a decent ball hit every time they came back with excess glue and slopping channels and seams. I’m guessing Eastbay gets the shitty balls from Wilson and Spalding since they know most ppl won’t know the difference or send them back.
Here is are some well made balls
The top is the tf and the bottom is the evo. Aside from being annoying to the touch, having excess hangover runs the risk of tearing or ripping cover off in its entirety. Btw my evo is the older version with the matte name not glossy
Here is a glossy one
Also take the ball out othe packaging spin it in the air to see if it’s balance. You can see an unbalanced ball will wobble .
I hope this helps and happy ball hunting!
Btw the Baden Perfection Elite ball Lexum is a very high quality ball with well made seams and covers. I was impressed by the ball and hope to buy one in the future . No seam or excess cover problems . Feels like an Evo but with a better cover and similar cushioning. Can be found at dicks sporting authority etc and not excluded from coupons which makes it about 40 to 50 dollar range usually .
schwollo.com 
How does the Baden Perfection Elite compare to The Rock? I can’t decide which of the two to buy. Which do you think is made of higher quality and how does each ball feel compared to the Evolution?
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The rock feels like the Wilson NCAA game ball with a slightly more leathery feel . The NCAA ball doesn’t have as much cushion like an evo if you haven’t tried one. the baden perfection feels like an evo but with a better more leather like cover. It doesn’t feel as slick as an evo . I like the ball but not as much as a tf. Hope that helps!
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Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I’ve played with the Solution and Wave Solutions and I prefer those over the Evolution for 3 reasons, they’re firmer and not as “spongy”, they absorb moisture better, and they seem more durable To me, the Evolutions aren’t made as well now like they were before. They feel cheaper. Right now, I have a Nike Elite Championship Airlock (great ball, but pretty worn now) and an official NBA gme ball. I play with Solutions and Evos all the time at the local gym so I’m just looking for something “different”. Based on what you said about the Baden and The Rock, it sounds like The Rock is firmer (like the Solution) than the Baden, and if I prefer the feel of the Solution over the Evo, then I would probably like The Rock more than the Baden…does that sound about right?
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Yep ! not sure you read my review but here. Logo overruns are cheap on anacondas website . I think there is 10% off coupon but only on retail price only
https://schwollo.com/tag/the-rock-basketball/
https://schwollo.com/2015/01/22/got-balls-a-rundown-of-some-of-the-most-popular-indoor-basketballs/
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Awesome! Thanks a lot! I saw the other day that they had the McDonald’s ball marked down to $24.95 I think? Not bad if you ask me, but I did see that the shipping and tax would be about $11 to mail it to my house. Still would be cheaper than buying a Solution or Evolution.
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Yea I bought the mcd ball so at least ppl think I played in it 🙂 I think there are ebates or befrugal links to save on tax
http://www.befrugal.com/coupons/store/anacondasports
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Hey Schwollo, just got a Molten GG7X recently and if I spin it on my finger it wobbles. Is this normal? When I throw it up in the air or just shooting the ball up in the air it doesn’t wobble.
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Maybe you’re not spinning it fast enough on your finger? Lol
I think you’re ok, but never sit on your ball that’s what warps them more than anything else .
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I’m spinning it fast enough. 2 of my evos are totally fine when I spin it, only this one. I haven’t actually do some actual shooting (not just air shooting) hopefully it’ll be alright. Otherwise the ball’s great. I like more than the Evo. A bit less cushion, attracts less dust, a bit more grip and like the bounce better.
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