Lakers’ LeBron James, Darvin Ham Upset at Free Throw Disparity in Loss to Suns

How the Los Angeles Lakers are officiated is a hot topic in NBA circles—especially after Sunday’s loss at the Phoenix Suns.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and coach Darvin Ham were upset with the officiating in their road loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The Lakers’ number of free throw attempts and how they’re officiated has been a hot topic in NBA circles all season. 

The Lakers attempted just eight shots from the charity stripe in the 123–113 loss to compared to the Suns’ 19. Los Angeles averages 24.3 free throws per game as a team, the sixth most in the NBA. Phoenix ranks fourth in the league with 25.2 free throws per game.

“A lot of people, a lot of coaches, a lot of teams are like, ‘That’s all the Lakers do is get to the free throw line,’” James told reporters after Sunday’s game, per ESPN. “It’s like this narrative out there that that’s all we do is get to the free throw line. I mean, we have attackers. That’s what we do. We have attackers. Yeah, we shoot the ball from the perimeter, but we’re not shooting 40 to 50 threes a game. We’re not that team. We don’t have the luxury of being that team. So, working it into the paint, that’s what we’re really good at.

“To have eight free throw attempts is definitely not us,” James continued. “I know, definitely, I got hit a couple times when I got to the paint tonight that wasn’t called. But it is what it is.”

Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham and forward LeBron James took exception to the officiating in Sunday’s loss at the Phoenix Suns :: Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports

Ham was even more blunt than James when discussing the officiating after Sunday’s loss. 

“I’m not one to use referees as an excuse,” Ham said. “But it’s becoming increasingly tough because of the inconsistency. I’m seeing our guys get the same contact on them as we’re supposedly committing. And the whistle is not being blown.”

The Lakers (31–28) are currently sitting at the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference. They take the court next as the road team against the Los Angeles Clippers at 10 p.m. ET Wednesday.