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JJ Redick Teases LeBron James for Complaining About Refs' Treatment of Lakers

Redick called his podcast co-host out for complaining about officiating.

Ryan Phillips

Apr 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball
Apr 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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JJ Redick doesn't want to hear LeBron James complain about officiating anymore. The retired NBA sharpshooter checked his podcast co-host during Episode 7 of Mind the Game when James began complaining about the officials during the Los Angeles Lakers' playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.

James mentioned that in the postseason, players are typically allowed to be more physical, before quickly pointing out that didn't happen during the series against the Nuggets. Redick quickly interjected, "Says the guy whose team had the greatest free throw disparity in NBA history the last two seasons." Both men laughed at the comments.

That seems all in good fun, but Redick does have a point. This season, the Lakers' shot 1,983 free throws (which was second in the NBA), while their opponents shot 1,476 (second lowest in the league). Using some elementary math skills, that comes out to a disparity of 507. Which is a lot.

A star of James's stature is always going to get more leeway with officials than other players. He's also correct that officiating does change in the postseason to allow more contact so the players decide the game on the court, not at the free-throw line. There were a lot of complaints about officiating in the Lakers-Nuggets series from both sides, but the Lakers don't have a lot of room to protest.

Still, it was a funny moment between Redick and James on a podcast that is already becoming really popular.

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Ryan Phillips

RYAN PHILLIPS