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Do you know anything about game or practice used NBA Finals basketballs? I have one from 2008 (Lakers v. Celtics), 2004 (Lakers v. Pistons) and 2001 (Lakers v. 76ers) and a few questions about them.
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
Hi ER,
Can't help you on 2004 and 2001, but might be able to help on 2008, since our NBA & MeiGray Authentication Program was already established.
What is your question?
Barry -
Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
I have a question for you also. I bought the two game used jerseys from the hornets. It was the Bucs throwbacks and on their it has Meigray tag and has a authentication number. Where do you type that number in on the website, if one would want to check it?Comment
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
Thanks Barry, that' s why I'm asking. I tried to go after the 2009 balls, but was out-bid, but did pick-up the Josh Powell Finals jersey for my collection.
First, is there a way to determine whether a ball is game used or practice used, other than from the provenanace?
Second, I'm comfortable with the 2008 ball becasue I got it from Dan C.. It's all leather (Not I/O) Spaudling with a circled "S" states "Official Game Ball" J.West NBA logo, signed by Stern and has " Los Angeles Lakers" stamped on bottom near the inflation hole. It has "The Finals, 2008" with the NBA Trophy printed in gold, shows great use. "Made inChina."
I've photo-style matched it with Gettyimages and the balls you were auctioning and they seem identical.
With regard to the 2001 ball, it's a Spaulding ball (no circle "S") and states it is an "Official Game Ball" under "NBA" with Stern's signature. No J. West logo. It says its "Seleceted Grain Geniune Letter" near the inflation hole with a "C" on the left side and a "EX" on the other side. "Moisten Needle and Inflate to 7 to 9 lbs. Made in China."
There's a gold "The Finals 2004" with a NBA Trophy and a gold "Los Angeles Lakers" stamped in gold on the side. Again, good game wear.
Photo-style match with Gettyimages.
With regard to the 2004 ball, it is a Spaudling ball (no circle "S") but has a J. West NBA logo and large block "NBA" on the front. Near the inflation hole it states "Selected Grain Genuine Leather" and there's a "C" and a "JK" on opposite sides of the hole. There is also a serial number which is difficult to read but appears to be"029321311184." There is a Lakers logo v. 76ers logo and a "NBA Finals 2001" logo. It is also says "Official Game Ball" but no reference to a team. Stern signature. Game wear. No team stamp on the ball
I've photo-styled matched it with Gettyimages.
I got this one from 310 Management on ebay which sells alot of gu balls from various teams and other stuff.
Any thoughts?Comment
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
basketballs used in games should have a marking done by the referee on it, usually one or several X's", in black ink.
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
My Nigerian friend: Pictures not shown. Do all ref's do this and, if so, how long have they been doing this? Didn't see the "x's" when Meigray was selling their game balls (they went for about $3,000, if I'm not mistaken).Comment
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
Sorry, home with the flu (who isn't?)
I'll respond as soon as I get back into the office.
BarryComment
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
I vaguely remember this, but if it helps any with photomatching a game used basketball from this year's NBA Finals.
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
Barry, feel better. You should move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles it's 80 degrees today.
You can see the 2008 ball on Getty Image #81594003. The ball with the x x x appears to be from 2005. Getty Image #50944351 (and others) for the 2004 ball and Gettyimage #71222755 for the 2001 ball.
The Final logo varies from year to year as to the various other imprinted logos, but I was told only real NBA balls are made from "Selected Grain Genuine Leather."Comment
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
Originally posted by encinorick
it looks like the 2008 basketball also had markings on the bottom panel:
2004
the photos from 2001 weren't that clear enough on GettyImages but one could probably see if there were any markings on the basketball from watching the game.Comment
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
Great pick-up. I don't remember seeing that on the game used balls that Meigray sold after the 2009 series. I know they sold "game-used" and "practice" balls, and he prices varied substantially. I think a "game-used" b-ball went for $3,000 and the pracitice ball went for about 1/3 of that price. Currently, Meigray has a gu ball from the Hornets v. Wizards game in China, but the picture doesn't show the "x's."Comment
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
Hi everybody,
The key is in the provenance, as we take possession of the balls we authenticate directly after the events.
Yes, the refs do mark these balls for the Finals games.
As far as the earlier balls, Encino, photo-matching is the best bet.
Let me know if you would like to enlist our services with that, as our deal with Getty Images enables us to offer these photo-matching services.
Hope this helps,
BarryComment
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
Barry - Hope you're feeling much better now. I contacted you through private message some time ago, but haven't gotten a respond regarding your photo-matching services. Can you please provide additional information on how to get started as I'd like to get my Kobe Bryant game worn uniform photo-matched. Thanks!Comment
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Re: Question for Barry Meisel: NBA Finals Balls
Thanks, Barry, glad you're feeling better. I have a couple items from your auctions and I'm always confident of their authenticity. Great service, great company. Looking forward to the X-mas day auction.
I think what I have are practice balls since they don't have the X's. If I'm not mistaken, MBenga2 says not only are Finals balls marked with the X's but all game-used basketballs that are used in a regulation game are marked this way. Am I wrong on that Mbenga?
Also, do all game-used balls have the name of the team imprinted on the ball? If a ball doesn't have a team name on it, whether it's a Finals ball or not, it probably means that it's retail, correct?Comment
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