Lakers detractors believe that Los Angeles is the team that always gets the best call. The free throw difference is frequently cited by opponents’ fans as an instance of unjust officiating. The argument has some merit if you just consider the Lakers’ free throw statistics from this season. With 16.3 personal fouls per game this season, the Lakers are committing the fewest personal fouls of any team and are attempting 24.3 free throws in those games.
That idea, however, proved to be false against the Phoenix Suns, as the Lakers attempted just eight shots from the charity stripe, while the Suns made 18-19 attempts.
LeBron James said why refereeing in their game against the Suns was annoying and why the Lakers frequently have a positive free throw discrepancy in his postgame news conference.
“A lot of individuals, coaches, and teams think that the Lakers only do anything when they get to the free throw line. Said James. There’s a misconception that our only goal in life is to cross the free throw line. We have attackers, after all. That’s what we carry out. There are assailants here. Yes, we make perimeter shots, but we don’t shoot 40 or 50 threes in a game. That’s not our team. Being that squad is not something we can afford. We truly shine when it comes to getting to the paint. We are obviously not the team that had eight free throw attempts. I went to the paint tonight and was hit a number of times that I know for sure, but that’s life.”
LeBron was spot on when he said that the Lakers are averaging 55.4 points in the paint, which is the second-highest in the NBA. There will be more fouls when you attack more since teams are more inclined to try to stop you physically.
The Lakers’ weak defensive performance has also allowed opponents to score points off of them with little difficulty. Stated differently, when the Lakers aren’t defending much to begin with, they are unable to commit fouls.
Head coach Darvin Ham also voiced his displeasure with the lack of calls for his squad after the away loss to the Suns.
“It seems that the whistle for us is quick,” Ham stated. “We are playing defense, or good defense, and as we are grabbing the rebound, someone trips and misses the shot, and the whistle sounds. Although I don’t like to use referees as an excuse, the inconsistency is making things harder. Our troops are apparently committing the same crimes, and I’m witnessing this without anyone raising the alarm. And winning the free throw line every game is what we concentrate on. That is difficult.
We’re trying to enjoy and live in the paint, and you’re not getting calls, so I’m asking my people to drive downward. I witness guys putting their hands in our guys’ ribs or swiping at their heads in an attempt to block a shot, but instead of getting the ball, they are grabbing a portion of the player’s body and it isn’t being called. As easy as that. Finding solutions to prevent that from being an issue is necessary, but it can be challenging given the amount of variance.”
When it comes to officiating, stability is what all clubs desire. Say it the same both ways so that we can distinguish between fouls and non-fouls. Although their terrible first-quarter performance was the primary cause of their loss, the Lakers didn’t think the whistle was blown correctly on Sunday. Additionally, the refereeing didn’t help either.
It looks like LeBron, in particular, doesn’t receive a star whistle.
He enjoys driving to the paint, and it appears that the officials interact with him frequently. He seems to be penalized for his size and ability to finish through so much contact that he receives less calls. It makes me think of the struggles Shaquille O’Neal faced while playing for the Lakers.
In the end, whining about officiating won’t get you very far. If Los Angeles wants to turn this season around, they need to start playing better and overcome whatever obstacles the officiating, injuries, or schedule present.