The Lakers are reportedly complaining to the NBA that LeBron James didn’t take enough free throws against the Lakers. Popularity (Video)

surprise.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers believe he doesn’t get enough fouls.

Just a day after James and head coach Davin Hamm waxed poetic about a missed foul call in Monday’s 108-107 loss to the Miami Heat, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reports the Lakers are asking the NBA A formal complaint was filed with the league office.

According to the report, the Lakers cited “a large number of missed foul calls,” focusing on the missed calls against James. The Lakers reportedly cited multiple moments from the game to support what they believed was James’ apparent illegal contact, but it was not whistled.

James scored 30 points on 4-for-4 shooting. The Heat shot 16 free throws as a team and the Lakers made 14 free throws. The Lakers were called for 17 fouls; the Heat were called for 14 points.

James addressed one specific missed call when speaking to the media after Monday’s game.

This is the play in question:

Thomas literally raised his right arm straight up in the air. He then swung his arm downwards and apparently elbowed James in the face. In today’s NBA, such contact may result in a flagrant foul. James was right to be upset about not being called a personal foul.

Hamm protested when the penalty was not called, and he was eventually given a technical foul. He also spoke to the referee after the game.

Is James’ enforcement of the law fair?

James averaged 5.7 free throws per game in seven games this season, a career low. He’s averaging 7.7 field goal attempts per game for his career, a level he hasn’t reached in a single season since the 2014-15 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. His career shooting percentage improved three seasons early in his career, with James averaging more than 10 free throw attempts per game. As his game has evolved into more perimeter play and 3-point shooting, his free throw attempts have decreased.

James, meanwhile, often blames his free throw shooting style on his officiating style. He has long complained through the media, social media and on-court content about NBA referees. In January, he espoused a conspiracy theory on social media suggesting the NBA had created trouble for him and the Lakers. As if it’s in the NBA’s interest to hinder the game’s biggest stars and the league’s glamor teams.

There are missed calls in every sport, every level, every game. Referees have a hard job and, frankly, officials in all major sports are terrible at their jobs. Generally speaking, sometimes the call goes your way. Sometimes they don’t.

James and the Lakers are good at making sure the media and fans know when a call doesn’t go their way. Now they’ve issued a formal complaint to the league.