NBA action got under way this week, complete with the new WNBA ball. The world has not come to an end.

Mark Cuban sent the new ball to some physicists for comparative testing. Results here. Bottom line: the new ball bounces lower and more erratically, it's stickier when dry, and more slippery when wet.

Dwayne Wade believes that it's easier to make bank shots with the new ball, because where leather occasionally slipped and skidded, the composite grips more consistently. On opening night, Wade took a shot from the wing just inside the three-point line. And banked it. On purpose.

(I've always wondered: Why don't players, especially players with poor shooting touch, shoot more banks? Watch Timmy and learn.)

Also on the mens' side, the NBA has redesigned its website.

Will the WNBA follow suit? I hope so. NBA.com is less cluttered and easier to get around. It has 3 consistent columns rather than 2-then-3-then-4-or-5. The tabbed yesterday-today scorecard is exactly what I've always wanted (I just didn't know it till now).