The Los Angeles Lakers contacted the NBA league office on Tuesday to complain about what they claim were missed fouls on LeBron James in Monday’s loss to the Miami Heat.
LA’s main point of contention was regarding to the way LeBron was officiated specifically during their 108-107 defeat in Miami, according to ESPN.
The organization shared various clips showing what they believed were examples of illegal contact committed against their star man by multiple defenders that went uncalled by referees.
The LA Lakers filed a complaint with the league office over missed foul calls on LeBron James
James also brought up his dissatisfaction with the officiating of the game following Monday’s loss and referenced a specific play when Heat center Thomas Bryant made contact with his face forcing a missed dunk attempt.
‘What they’re telling me is not consistent with what’s actually happening on the floor,’ James said.
James also complained after the loss to the Heat about missed calls against him in Miami
‘When I went for the dunk attempt against Thomas Bryant, he clearly elbowed — like, arm straight across my face. And I asked him for the explanation — well, one of the refs said that he was straight up, hands straight in the air. Two of the refs said they were blocked and they didn’t see it.’
James attempted only four free throws against Miami and his season averaged dropped to 5.7 attempts per game, which would tie a single-season career low should it persist throughout the campaign.
he 38-year-old forward has drawn fouls on six percent of his drives this season, which would amount to the eight lowest rate among the 34 players to record 70 or more drives in 2023-24, according to Second Spectrum.
‘I mean, I don’t know what to [say],’ James said after the loss dropped Los Angeles to a 3-4 record this season.
‘I’m going over to them respectfully and telling them what’s going on in the plays and I consistently go to the line three or four times a game. Sometimes not even at all, which is weird.’
‘So just got to keep driving, keep putting pressure on the rim and see if it turns,’ James continued.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham picked up his first technical foul in the game arguing a non-call
The Lakers and James made reference to a play where Thomas Bryant elbowed him in the face
‘But we had some tough break calls tonight for sure, and not in our favor tonight.’
Lakers coach Darvin Ham was also given his first technical foul of the season with about 39 seconds remaining in the third quarter for arguing a non-call against James on a play.
‘I see Bron shooting four free throws,’ Ham said after the game.
‘And the amount of times he attacked the rim, the amount of times he was slapped on the arm, which I could see plain as day, for that not to be called, man… he’s not flopping. I’m watching him go to the hole strong.’
