Stern Gives In! NBA To Return To Old Ball

I though NBA Commissioner David Stern was going to stick with his new microfiber composite basketball to the very bitter end. Apparently the very bitter end has arrived, as ESPN is reporting the NBA will return to using the old school leather balls beginning January 1st.

While Stern had spoken numerous times and adamantly against reverting to the old ball (despite repeated player requests), injuries are apparently triggering the switch. He deserves credit for reversing course, but the question I leave you with is why did Stern or the NBA ever feel the need to switch, anyway?