LeBron James tore into NBA officials with an expletive-laced rant following the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the Denver Nuggets Monday night.
At issue was a foul called on Michael Porter Jr. late in the third quarter. Porter clearly hit D’Angelo Russell in the face with his forearm as he drove to the hoop.
But replay officials overturned the call. And LeBron James let them know he wasn’t pleased following the game.
“I don’t understand what’s going on in the replay center, to be honest,” James said. “D-Lo clearly gets hit in the face on the drive. What the f— do we have a replay center … it doesn’t make sense. It makes no sense.”
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LeBron James Delivers Rant Following Lakers Loss
LeBron James wasn’t quite finished with his anti-officiating rant either.
“It bothers me,” he added. “That s— is… What are we doing?… It’s f—ing stupid.”
A clearly exasperated James then sets down the microphone and walks away.
LeBron probably has a point here. How do you watch the replay of Porter’s forearm going across Russell’s grill and find enough evidence to overturn a foul called on the floor?
The call was overturned, according to Crew chief Scott Foster, because Porter’s contact was “marginal.”
As they say in comedy – if you have to explain, you’re losing. Especially if you’re using a term like “marginal.” Most NBA fans probably aren’t aware of the specific parameters of what makes contact meet that definition.
Michael Porter Jr. hit D'Angelo Russell in the face. MPJ was called for a foul which was then challenged.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 23, 2024
Nuggets won the challenge.
Thought? 🤔pic.twitter.com/X01ufZXX4g
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Excuses, Excuses
That said, it’s not a good look to have the face of the league openly berating refs during a crucial game in the playoffs.
The Lakers would end up blowing a 20-point lead to the Nuggets and ultimately lose on a buzzer-beating fadeaway jumper by Jamal Murray.
Additionally, there are so many other things the Laker should be focused on. Start with blowing that massive lead. Add in the fact that the Lakers were still up 10 when Porter’s foul call was overturned.
You’ve got a double-digit lead heading into the 4th quarter. Protect it and the call never becomes a factor.
It’s also pretty rich whenever the Lakers complain about officiating.
Los Angeles led the league in free-throw-attempt differential this year. They also shot 507 more free throws over their opponents compared to the next closest team in the league when you add last season into the mix.
The Lakers were at plus-983. Second-place Miami Heat is plus-386.
So they’re clearly not hurting in the foul-call department.
ESPN notes that LeBron and the Lakers had a 19-6 advantage over Denver in free throw attempts in Game 1. They lost that game too, 114-103.
