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by L Magico on May 29, 2009 2:58 PM EDT Comment 29 comments

Thats the number of free throws LeBron has taken in these playoffs. Now, of course I am a bit biased because I'm a Magic fan, but it seems LeBron has taken an EXTREME number of free throws for a guy who does not shoot his team's technical fouls. So I'm a little frustrated after yesterday's loss and decided to do some research (from basketball-reference.com):

The 24 FTA in Game 3 are the 5th most in a playoff game ever. Shaq grabs the #1 and #2 spot in the prime of the "hack-a-shaq" era with 39 and 27 in '00.
LeBron has played 13 playoff games this year and is currently in the Conferance finals. The last time someone lead the playoffs in FTA's w/o playing in the NBA Finals was 1992 with Karl Malone shooting 210. Mind you that was in 16 playoff games.
In comparison, Dwight Howard has taken 154 FTA's in the playoffs and he gets fouled on purpose because of his poor FT%.

Basically if the officials keep this up, he will attempt over 200 FT's BEFORE the NBA finals. I know stars get calls, I know he really puts the pressure on the refs to make a call; but its getting a little out of hand. If we thought the '06 Finals looked bad with Wade, then we might have to be ready for LeBron to break Shaq's record 296 FTA's in 2000.

Go Magic.

This FanPost was made by a member of the Orlando Pinstriped Post community, and is to be treated as the opinions and views of its author, not that of the blogger or blog community as a whole.

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That's cause he jumps at people ALL the time

He’s already under the delusion that if he jumps into someone, then he gets to throw free throws. If not, then it’s a bad call and he’ll challenge the ref. And since all the refs are sick of his whining, they just give it to him.

That’s my take at least.

by CityShrimp on May 29, 2009 3:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

its not a delusion if its true

I just read a good Simmons article about the officiating. He specifically cited Lebron’s wreckless drive into Pietrus in game 4 that resulted in the FT’s that sent the Cavs into OT.

by RussL on May 29, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a shame the officiating has taken away from what's occurring on the court.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 29, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I'm not a big fan of the put your head down and barrel into the paint

that LeBron and Paul Pierce and Hedo do. It doesn’t make for fun bball to watch. Unfortunately LeBron is also super strong so even with the contact he can adjust and get the and1. You know Hedo would be doing that all day if he could haha. To be fair I also hate the put your arms holding the basketball through a defenders outstretched arms to draw the foul schtick too….again unless it’s Hedo doing it at the 3 point line last night. But hey can’t blame people for doing it when it works, huh? Face it, if you were LeBron wouldn’t you be going for the call too?

Shut up, Mo.

by Stan in a Van (Down by the River) on May 29, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Shades of M.J.

The Surfdog

by Surfdog on May 29, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

.. great players find ways to score, no matter what.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 31, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

its disgusting

Not even close to MJ either. I have said many times that althoughnhe’s agreat player, he wouldn’t be as good if they officiated him according to the rules. The clear path fould last night was a travisty imo and I’m surprised it is not being talked about more. It may not have been the reason for the loss, but its indicative of how this clown gets away with murder. I truey believe where MJ attracted more fans to the sport, that Lecrab might turn away many would be fans. In today’s nba the refs are under more watch than ever and if they continue to give him a leg up over all the other players(even MJ imo) the sports integrity will be damaged for along time.

by angryguy77 on May 29, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

3 times only

in Jordan’s career did he lead in FTA’s in the playoffs. For a guy that has been in the Finals 6 times and the Conferance finals 3 other times, thats an OK amount compared to his whole body of work. But, shooting those technicals is an under-rated aspect of it. Jordan did and LeBron does not.

Simmons article really points out how bad the officiating has been. I thought I was being biased but when LeBron is close to 200 FT’s and Dwight has fouled out of 3/5 games, something is up. Here is a link to what I’m talking about:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/fta_yearly_p.html

by L Magico on May 29, 2009 5:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow. Good stats.

Also, Howard has taken 4 more games to get his 34 fewer free throws.

"It's difficult to win when you're outscored in every quarter." -Bill Walton

by betterthanburke on May 29, 2009 8:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If it's working

If this run into someone strategy is working (also so mo running up rafer or AJ’s back several times and getting the call) why don’t our guards and ball handlers try this some also. If it isn’t called both way it will just serve to show the different calls.

once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right

by iko4 on May 29, 2009 9:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That would only work in theory, but since there’s already so much blatant evidence on how bad the officiating is, and yet nothing is done about it, I doubt putting forth any more proof would be of any use.

by CityShrimp on May 30, 2009 4:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah,look at those calls late in the games on dwight,especially that block. what can we do about it? so,let's not spend this crucial game that way.

by Dzogi on May 30, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good reporting of the stats

Kudos for gathering this info. That being said, on SC the other night an anchor made a reference to a tight-end in football when LBJ drives to the hoop. Aren’t these the NBA playoffs??? I’m in total agreement with you; the amount of times he gets to the line is insane but when we take game 6 in O-town (knock on wood), we will be able to say we beat King James, the Cavs, the NBA, ESPN, and Nike.

I’m o.k. with that ;)

"One thing about knowing that you're dying is that it keeps reminding you you're alive so it's no time to pass up a party."
- Warren Zevon

by Wally Balls 407 on May 29, 2009 11:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

.. don't jinx it. It's more like 'if', not 'when'.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 30, 2009 4:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW, on Cav's forum...

they actually believe Howard is the one getting star treatment for never getting a 3-second call in the paint (or rarely at least). At first, I thought “Ok, so both LeBron and Howard are getting some slack so it’s ok”, but now I just think James is getting way worse. This is disgusting.

by CityShrimp on May 30, 2009 4:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

there are always arguments,and it always goes both sides,it just depends on your POV. although in this case LBJ is way worse.

by Dzogi on May 30, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The difference with the 3-second call...

is that there are a lot of things that reset the count. If there’s another player within reach, you can camp in the lane. Z’s spending at least as much time alone in the paint as D12, and I’m not sure there’s been a single 3-second call on Cleveland all series.

"And this he knows if nothing more
That waiting in the dark like destiny
Are those who kissed the dogs of war
And there is no tomorrow."

by The Dark on May 30, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good call.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 30, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He gets to the basket a lot

And draws contact.

Yes, he shoots a lot; and yes, he gets a certain amount of superstar calls. But mostly it’s his style of play – he’s constantly aggressive to the basket. Rashard gets to the line a lot when he’s aggressive around the basket as well, it’s just he’s as likely to drop out and take a three as drive.

by eltharion_doa on May 31, 2009 6:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

haha,yes,he's so dangerous from all-around

i noticed just one(1) open shot rash missed last night,he’s unbelievable. when he pulls for a jumper,i’m calm and confident. he maybe is overpaid,but i think he’s worth it,with his all around skills,and matchup problems he creates

by Dzogi on May 31, 2009 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When you get down to it. IMO. It's a subjective value. What's a basketball player worth.

Whatever somebody is willing to pay. Is he worth 10X what the Pres. of the U.S. makes? With these current salaries the way they are it’s off the charts IMO.

The Surfdog

by Surfdog on May 31, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs