Spalding also is using carbon microfibers on its new basketball. The ball, which replaces the leather ball that has been used for the last 35 years in the NBA, is supposed to give players a better grip as moisture on the ball evaporates more quickly, rather than being absorbed by the leather.

Many top players, such as Shaquille O'Neal, have voiced objections to the feel of the new ball. But officials with Spalding insist they'll like the new ball better than the old one once they get used to it.

In the meantime, Spalding is not particularly worried about any effect player criticism will have on sales of the new ball, which goes on sale Oct. 31 at about a 20 percent increase in price over the old official leather game ball.

"Sales of the ball are not going to light the world on fire, and it's not going to disappoint because it's so small -- less than one-half of one percent of our sales," said Dan Touhey, a vice president of Spalding.