Tips on identifying game used NBA basketballs?

[jmeekins33]

I've seen a few NBA basketballs for sale claiming to be game used. Some of them are marked with what appear to be several letter X's and some are not. I tried to google this and came up empty. Does anyone know what this means? Any tips on identifying a ball that was legitimately game used?

Thanks in advance.

[otismalibu]

I talked to the Bucks equipment guy from the 80s and he said that the refs would mark a ball with Xs and then the next game crew would either search out that ball or find another to use and mark that.
I don't know if every team did it, but often you'll also see the team stamp too. The Bucks ball I have also has the year stamp, along with the Xs. Also, the ball really looks nothing like the inset photo, which was taken with a flash. It's now a dark brown and one can barely see the Xs.

[jmeekins33]

Thanks Otis

Anyone else have anything to add?