The Los Angeles Lakers remain without victory even after three games. LeBron James, who left important free throws in overtime, was disappointed by himself, but still does not want to lose his patience. Coach Luke Walton scolded the referees.
“but I’ve given two free throws in a row. That’s unacceptable,” James summed up the last minutes of extra time and also practiced a good deal of self-criticism.
LeBron had the chance to counter the jumper of Patty Mills, who turned out to be the game winner for the Spurs. However, his jumper from the middle distance only clapped on the ring. “I was in rhythm and trusted my litter,” James explained. “Unfortunately, he didn’t go in.”
The Lakers remain without a win for the third game in a row. Only in his rookie season did James start off as badly as he personally reminded the media of it. Nevertheless, the King repeated that he would not lose patience because of this. “I knew what I was getting myself into here. It’s a process, it just takes time. We’ll improve, but we knew we wouldn’t overrun every opponent here.”
Coach Luke Walton was also not worried about his team’s performance, but was extremely dissatisfied with the referees. “[The Spurs] were acting nine metres from the basket all the time and then got the foul, even though it never had anything to do with the plays,” Walton said at the press conference.
“This cannot be rewarded. Josh Hart played 40 minutes today and constantly attacked the basket and did not get a single free throw. It can’t be that you play hard and then you don’t get rewarded.” The Lakers were awarded 26 free throws in the entire game, while the Spurs marched 38 times to the line.
LeBron contradicted his coach a little, even though he admitted that this season has been a very petty whistle. “With the new rules, it’s really hard. You’re not supposed to touch anyone. I mean, you can, but then it’s an instant foul.”
The Lakers now want to break the spell in the next game in Phoenix and finally win their first victory in the new season. With the Suns around Top-Pick Deandre Ayton and Shooting Guard Devin Booker, the LakeShow awaits a task that can be done on paper.