In a heart-wrenching 108-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves facing scrutiny and controversy. While LeBron James voiced his frustration with the officials, pointing out a questionable replay ruling, it was Anthony Davis who took a more introspective approach, shouldering the blame for the defeat.
“I mean, any time you lose, whether I play well or play poorly, you know, it’s always bothering. You always think about, especially me just now, I missed two big free throws and we lose by two.”
“So, right, man, that type of game going over time or game, the outcome may be happening a little differently. So, anytime you lose a shot, look back and think of what could you have done better as a team and individually.”
“The first thing that comes to mind is those two free throws, which is rare. It’s very rare for me.” (1:05)
Anthony Davis on tonight's loss: "Anytime you lose, whether I play well or poorly, it always bothers me. You always think about, especially me, I missed two big free throws and we lose the game by two… You look back and think about what you could've done better." pic.twitter.com/ysMfK433Qa
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 31, 2023
Davis, who put up an impressive stat line with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists, found himself in a pivotal moment during the game. With 6:20 remaining and the Lakers trailing 87-89, Davis stepped up to the free-throw line for two crucial shots. However, he missed both attempts, and the Lakers ultimately lost by two points.
The missed free throws loomed large in his mind, and he recognized their potential impact on the game’s outcome. Despite being a rare occurrence for Davis, who is known for his proficiency at the free-throw line, he remained focused on self-improvement. He emphasized the importance of looking back at the game and evaluating what could have been done differently both as a team and individually.
LeBron James, who was dealing with illness but still contributed 26 points to the effort, echoed his teammates’ sentiments, particularly questioning the effectiveness of the NBA’s replay process. James’ potential game-tying shot in the final seconds was ruled a two-pointer after a video review, leaving the Lakers with a bitter taste of controversy in their mouth.
The Lakers, now standing at 17-16 for the season, are facing challenges in finding consistency and defining their rotations. As the team navigates through uncertainties, the collective sentiment remains one of frustration and a quest for improvement.
Pool Report Says There Wasn’t Enough Conclusive Evidence To Overturn On-Floor Call
In the aftermath of the controversial ruling on LeBron James’ late-game shot, the NBA’s pool report shed light on the decision-making process. Crew Chief Tony Brothers addressed questions regarding why the shot, initially ruled as a two-pointer during live play, wasn’t overturned to a three-pointer after video review.
According to Brothers, the on-court ruling played a pivotal role in the final decision. The play had been called a two-point field goal during live play, and upon video review, there wasn’t “clear and conclusive evidence” to warrant overturning it to a three-pointer. This explanation, provided in the pool report, aimed to clarify the decision that had sparked frustration and criticism from LeBron James and the Lakers.
LeBron James, visibly upset after the game, expressed his discontent with the ruling, vehemently stating that the space between his foot and the three-point line was evident. He questioned the efficiency of the NBA Replay Center, suggesting that perhaps someone there was “eating a ham sandwich” or not making accurate decisions.
The Lakers’ star went on to express his frustration with the replay system, emphasizing that the purpose of replay is undermined when incorrect decisions persist. LeBron’s dissatisfaction was palpable as he dissected the situation, pointing out the gap between his foot and the three-point line in a still image of the play.
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