Leather Ball to Return on Jan. 1

NBA commissioner David Stern, in a stunning reversal, has decided to shelve the new microfiber composite basketball after just a few months of use and switch back to the old leather model for all games starting Jan. 1, according to sources close to the situation. The decision will be formally announced by the league Tuesday, sources told ESPN.com.

Pierce’s Buzzer Beater Beats the Nets 92-90

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Paul Pierce was confident as the seconds ticked down and ball was in his hands for the final shot. Pierce hit the buzzer-beater Saturday night and the Boston Celtics rallied from an early 20-point deficit to beat the New Jersey Nets 92-90 and snap a five-game losing streak. "I knew I was going to be able to get it off," Pierce said. "I had a smaller guy in Jason Kidd on me. I just got to my sweet spot, elevated and knocked down the shot."

Gerald Green a viable fantasy option?

NBA.com Gerald Green - Boston Celtics YouTube the 2005 high school dunk contest (yes, YouTube is a verb). ...

Happy 50th, Larry Legend

From NBA.COM Most every basketball fan has a favorite Larry Bird memory. For some, it's the play in the 1981 Finals where Bird, knowing his shot was short and to the right, followed the shot, caught it with his right hand, switched it to his left as he went flying out of bounds and floated in a finger roll.