PHOENIX — All LeBron James might do was chortle Sunday when requested in regards to 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 staff since James joined the franchise in 2018, in accordance 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 isn’t being blown.”
L.A. entered the sport averaging 24.7 free throws per recreation as a staff, the sixth most within the league.
“That is one thing we concentrate on, making an attempt 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 making an attempt to like and reside within the paint. And you are not getting calls. I see guys with their fingers in our guys’ ribs or swinging, swiping at their heads, making an attempt to dam the shot however not getting the ball, however getting a chunk of the physique. And it is not being known as, so simple as that.
“So, we now have to determine methods to not let that be an issue, but it surely’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, numerous coaches, numerous 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, we now have attackers. That is what we do. We have now attackers. Yeah, we shoot the ball from the perimeter, however we’re not capturing 40 to 50 3s a recreation. We’re not that staff. We do not have the posh of being that staff. So, working it into the paint, that is what we’re actually good at.
“To have eight free throw makes an attempt is unquestionably not us. I do know, positively, I obtained hit a pair instances after I obtained to the paint tonight that wasn’t known 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 large 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 reside on attending to the road. We assault the basket,” Davis mentioned. “Particularly how a lot we battle from the three, we’re sort of up and down, so we attempt to reside 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 obtained fouled a few instances. However that is a part of our identification, 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 & Information 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 only 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 expect we obtained fouled or not, we obtained to get again [on defense] as a result of the staff goes to push,” Davis mentioned. “We do not need to be at an obstacle. It occurred a few instances tonight. I believe I had one in entrance of their bench. However we obtained to have a next-play mentality and getting again understanding groups are going to push and, most instances, they are going to make us pay.”
