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King James Gospel
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Why are the officials not giving LeBron James respect?

BySimon Hannig|
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts towards his teammates after the Golden State Warriors scored a basket during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts towards his teammates after the Golden State Warriors scored a basket during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day, and LeBron James not getting foul calls was a huge part of the game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ superstar LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world, but referees have not given James the respect he deserves, and last night supports this thought. At this point, it isn’t just an opinion. Brian Windhorst tweeted a stat about LeBron James that will blow your mind.

It should not matter how big an athlete is, sorry Kevin Durant, but it does not matter. A foul is a foul no matter what. We saw what two fouls looked like in the closing moments of the game between the Cavs and Warriors on Christmas Day, yet, no fouls were called.

The NBA released its last two minute report. It was reported by the NBA the refs missed three fouls Durant committed on LeBron:

4Q 01:12.0 — Durant (GSW) makes body to body contact with James (CLE) that affects his SQBR.

4Q 00:27.0 — Durant (GSW) makes forearm contact to James (CLE) that affects his SQBR at the start of his drive to the basket.

4Q 00:25.6 — Durant (GSW) makes contact to James’ (CLE) arm and body that affects his driving shot attempt.

These fouls were legitimately the difference in this game.

James has not been getting the respect and calls he deserves all season. He deserves more attempts at the line than he has so far this season. In comparison, James Harden has attempted 10.2 free throws per games and Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 9.7 attempts per game.

James is 14th in the league in attempted free throws per game at 5.9. Ahead of James: Curry (11, 6.5 free throws attempted per game), Porzingis (12, 6.3 free throws attempted per game) and Wall (13, 6.1 attempted free throws per game).

I am not sure why James doesn’t get the calls anymore like he use too. James averaged 7.7 free throw attempts per game in his first season back in Cleveland. Back in the 2009-2010 season, he averaged 10.2 free throw attempts per game.

I know it is about eight years later, but that is a significant decrease.

The refs have not given James the respect this season in terms of fouls, and for Cavs fans who have watched the Cavs, you know how little respect the refs have given James this season.

Must Read: 3 HUGE takeaways from the Cleveland Cavaliers Christmas Day showdown

It is outrageous for a guy like James to average only 5.9 free throw attempts per game.

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