As LeBron James looks to lead the Lakers back into the West's playoff picture, there is very little margin for error and every game is important. In response to two close losses, James has been sounding off on the way his team has been officiated this season.
To put it mildly, the four-time MVP is not pleased.
After a controversial no-call ultimately resulted in a Lakers loss to the 76ers on Monday, a Twitter user shared a video of the play along with a series of tweets, the second of which was in response to the NBA ruling it as a "correct non-call" on its Last Two Minute Report.
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James caught wind of the follow-up tweet and spoke his mind, sharing that "all year (officials) keep telling me to my face on the court 'I didn't see it" or 'it wasn't a foul.' It's not making sense to me seriously! Frustrating as hell man!"
And all year they keep telling me to my face on the court, “I didn’t see it” or “It wasn’t a foul”. It’s not making sense to me seriously! Frustrating as hell man! Anyways keep going Squad! 💜💛👑 https://t.co/tsrlXtJjuO
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 16, 2023
As for the play in question, Russell Westbrook attempted to score on Joel Embiid in isolation but the play resulted in an errant shot attempt. After the game, Westbrook told reporters that Embiid grabbed his right arm before showing them a photo of the grab.
A video of the play that was shared on Twitter supported Westbrook's claims and set off a series of tweets that ultimately got a response from James.
— blandpancakes (@blandpancakes) January 16, 2023
LA's one-point loss to Philadelphia was the second consecutive game in which a controversial no-call had an impact on the outcome.
In a double-overtime loss to the Mavericks on Thursday, Troy Brown Jr. felt contact from Tim Hardaway Jr. on the potential game-winning shot in regulation.
Tim Hardaway Jr block pic.twitter.com/tWOr16ivgU
— That's a highlight (@ClipIt_NBA) January 13, 2023
Following the game, James could be heard in the background of Brown's locker room interview saying "yo, it's a f— foul — it's a foul," as his teammate was asked about the play.
While the contact was evident, the league ruled it a "correct non-call" on the next day's Last Two Minute Report, saying "any 'high-five' contact is considered incidental."
After defeating the Rockets on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Lakers moved to 20-24 on the season and are just two-and-a-half games out of the West's sixth seed. Considering the fact that LA could be closer to the playoff picture with a .500 record had it not been for the two controversial non-calls, James' frustrations make sense.
