Only four free throws were awarded to LeBron James in the defeat against San Antonio Spurs. The King was not satisfied at all with this and questioned the referees after the match. They protect the shooters more than the players who attack the basket.
“We’re now at a point where the shooter is better protected than the driver,”James explained after the game,”It’s impossible for me to take only four free throws when moving 100 times into the zone. I am beaten, I am held, I am clamped, but we protect the shooter. The threesome is sexy.”
According to Second Spectrum’s data collection, James went to the basket twelve times against the Spurs, never getting a whistle. This season LeBron has 6.0 free throws per game, the lowest since his rookie season (5.8). To the 22nd. For the third time this season, James received four or less free throws this season.
Coach Ty Lue blamed James’ physical presence and historical comparisons:”He is the Shaq of the guards and forwards,”said Lue,”he is so strong and so physical that his opponents bounce off him when he pulls to the basket. They’re still fouls, but he doesn’t get the whistle because he’s so big and strong.”