Annoyed Lakers consider fouls not being referred to as equally

PHOENIX — All LeBron James may do was giggle Sunday when requested concerning the free throw disparity within the Los Angeles Lakers’ 123-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix shot 19 free throws as in comparison with simply eight for L.A., representing a season low for the Lakers and tying the fewest such makes an attempt in any recreation for the group since James joined the franchise in 2018, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Info analysis.

Whereas James was exasperated, his coach, Darvin Ham, was angered.

“I am not one to make use of referees as an excuse,” Ham mentioned. “However it’s changing into more and more powerful due to the inconsistency. I am seeing our guys get the identical contact on them as we’re supposedly committing. And the whistle is just not being blown.”

L.A. entered the sport averaging 24.7 free throws per recreation as a group, the sixth most within the league.

“That is one thing we give attention to, attempting to win the free throw line each recreation,” Ham mentioned. “And in order that’s powerful. I am telling my guys to drive downhill; we’re attempting to like and stay within the paint. And you are not getting calls. I see guys with their arms in our guys’ ribs or swinging, swiping at their heads, attempting to dam the shot however not getting the ball, however getting a chunk of the physique. And it is not being referred to as, so simple as that.

“So, now we have to determine methods to not let that be an issue, nevertheless it’s powerful. Once more, it is irritating when there’s a lot inconsistency.”

The Lakers had zero free throw makes an attempt in Sunday’s second half, marking the primary time considered one of James’ groups didn’t try a single foul shot in any half since December 2015.

“Lots of people, a variety of coaches, a variety of groups are like, ‘That is all of the Lakers do is get to the free throw line,'” James mentioned. “It is like this narrative on the market that that is all we do is get to the free throw line. I imply, now we have attackers. That is what we do. We’ve attackers. Yeah, we shoot the ball from the perimeter, however we’re not taking pictures 40 to 50 3s a recreation. We’re not that group. We do not have the posh of being that group. So, working it into the paint, that is what we’re actually good at.

“To have eight free throw makes an attempt is certainly not us. I do know, undoubtedly, I received hit a pair instances once I received to the paint tonight that wasn’t referred to as. However it’s what it’s.”

James, who averages 5.4 free throw makes an attempt per recreation, went 1-for-4 from the road. Lakers huge man Anthony Davis, who averages 6.9 free throw makes an attempt per recreation, had zero free throw makes an attempt for the primary time all season.

“We stay on attending to the road. We assault the basket,” Davis mentioned. “Particularly how a lot we wrestle from the three, we’re type of up and down, so we attempt to stay within the paint and get to the road. I am undecided if it was simply the refs lacking it or they weren’t fouling. I felt I received fouled a few instances. However that is a part of our id, our DNA, is attending to the road and guys catching rhythms like that after which enjoying from there.”

It was the primary time in Davis’ profession that he performed 40-plus minutes and didn’t try a free throw, per ESPN Stats & Data information.

As a lot because the free throws may need been an element, the Lakers did not do themselves any favors by permitting the Suns to attain 45 factors within the first quarter en path to a lead that swelled to as many as 20 factors. L.A. reduce the deficit to simply two factors late within the third quarter however was unable to get nearer.

Davis admitted the Lakers allowed the officers’ calls — or non-calls — to have an effect on their focus.

“Whether or not we predict we received fouled or not, we received to get again [on defense] as a result of the group goes to push,” Davis mentioned. “We do not need to be at a drawback. It occurred a few instances tonight. I feel I had one in entrance of their bench. However we received to have a next-play mentality and getting again realizing groups are going to push and, most instances, they are going to make us pay.”