The Lakers vs. Warriors series has been heating up recently after accusations of flopping thrown by Steve Kerr on the Lakers after their Game 4 loss.
A Lakers player anonymously criticized Kerr’s comments, while coach Darvin Ham addressed it during Game 5 as well. After struggling to get calls in Game 5, LeBron James discussed the flopping debate around his team and unequivocally denied it.
“We don’t work on flopping. That’s not even a part of our game, our game is to attack the paint. We don’t mind physical contact, we actually like the contact and don’t shy away from it. We’re just not a team that goes out there looking for flopping opportunities. That’s just not us. It’s actually never been any team that I’ve played on in my 20 years where we have been a flopping team.”
"We don't work on flopping… We're just not a team that goes out there looking for flopping opportunities. That's just not us. It's actually never been any team that I've played on in my 20 years where we have been a flopping team."
— LeBron Jamespic.twitter.com/Jh3Ur8RZwy
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 11, 2023
The Lakers have maintained an extremely physical style of play all season long that looks to generate opportunities at the line. Even though that’s not a very conventional strategy that’s reliant on Xs and Os, it definitely shouldn’t just be misconstrued for flopping. The Lakers sell contact like most other teams in the NBA, with the frequency of it concerning most people.
If the refereeing was consistent, players wouldn’t have to try and sell calls to get a whistle blown, something that’s created controversy at various points this season.
Refereeing Issues Plaguing This Series
Darvin Ham criticized Kerr for his comments on his team and the officials after Game 4 but ended up criticizing the referees after Game 5 himself.
“We played the same way we always play. I don’t know what’s a foul anymore.”
Darvin Ham on tonight's officiating:
"We played the same way we always play. I don't know what's a foul anymore."
He pointed out how many guys got hit in the face and did not get whistles.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) May 11, 2023
With a controversial back-to-the-basket call on LeBron James in the game as well, people rooting for the Lakers will feel inclined to blame the referees. Ultimately, it just seems these are poor officiating decisions as compared to a league-wide conspiracy. If two fanbases feel they will lose because of the same conspiracy, neither is likely going to be hurt by it.
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