Luka Doncic, one of the NBA’s biggest stars and the league’s leading scorer (33.5), expressed his displeasure with the refereeing after the Lakers‘ loss to the Pistons (106-128), his team’s fourth in the last five games. The Slovenian point guard was particularly upset by the level of contact allowed and by some decisions that, in his opinion, conditioned the rhythm and outcome of the game.
Doncic is convinced that the referees let them play very hard and that the Pistons were better able to adapt to that style of play. “Detroit imposed a physical style from the start and we failed to respond with the same intensity, partly because we did not know how to interpret the level of contact that was being allowed on the court.”
A consistent refereeing trend
The former Real Madrid player believes that this refereeing trend was not a one-off or circumstantial problem for his team: “It was not just one or two isolated incidents, but a trend throughout the game. There were clear contacts that were not sanctioned and that generated frustration both in the players and on the bench, making it difficult for us to concentrate at key moments of the match”.
There were clear contacts that were not sanctioned and this generated frustration both in the players and on the bench, making it difficult for us to concentrate
The Pistons were called for 26 fouls and the Lakers shot 31 free throws, while the Angelenos received 24 fouls, two fewer than the Detroit team, which shot 29 free throws. And there were specific actions that provoked the indignation of the Californians, such as a technical foul called on Doncic himself for protesting after being called for a foul in a defensive action. “I think that sanction was excessive, similar situations on the other side of the court did not receive the same treatment from the referees,” he lamented.
Despite his complaints, the Slovenian also assumed some of the team’s responsibility for the defeat. “We should have adapted better to the refereeing and responded with greater defensive aggression, regardless of whether the decisions were in our favour or not,” he explained.
Opponents are going to commit three or four fouls on each possession. And the referees are not going to call several fouls on each possession
Doncic’s comments echoed those of coach JJ Redick, who before the game already hinted at what might happen against the Pistons: “They’re going to foul on every possession, probably three or four times,” he told the press before the game. “And it’s not a criticism, I’m not saying it in a negative way, but they’re going to foul three or four times on every possession. And the referees are not going to call multiple fouls on every possession.” And from what could be seen in the clash, Redick was right in his prediction, unfortunately for his team.
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