After shootaround Wednesday, Timberwolves guard D'Angelo Russell was asked if the NBA's emphasis on calling fewer fouls when shooters take an unnatural shooting motion into a defenders has affected the way he has to play.
Russell didn't want to go down that path, fearing if he did, he would be criticizing officiating and would then get fined. Instead, Russell brought up another change the NBA made this season — the actual basketballs.
The league switched from a Spalding ball to a Wilson-made ball this season and some shooters like Russell are still adjusting to the different feel of the Wilson ball.