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HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 18: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. 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 Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
In every game that the Los Angeles Lakers play, other fans complain that they get a favorable whistle. Fans complain that LA always shoots more free throws than anyone else. It is something that the stats do bear out. They shoot the second-most free throws per game of anyone in the NBA.
Shooting free throws is a big part of LA’s offense. Getting a chance to score points without the clock running is a big part of what makes them so good. However, JJ Redick is tired of that narrative getting so much play without the proper context being involved.
Following a game against the Brooklyn Nets, Redick let everyone know that teams do, in fact, foul the Lakers a lot.
JJ Redick Claims Teams Foul the Lakers Constantly
After that game, Redick made it clear that the officials are making the right calls on the fouls the Lakers are getting.
“People say, ‘The Lakers shoot a lot of free throws,’ that’s how teams guard us. They foul on every possession. That’s another team that fouls every possession.”
Teams certainly don’t foul LA every single possession, but there are a lot of them. Luka Doncic is one of the best players in the league at drawing fouls. LeBron James has been great at that for years, as well. Austin Reaves has gotten better at that skill in the last couple of years.
Despite the number of free throws the team shoots, they don’t capitalize very much when they do get to the line. They have the seventh-lowest free throw percentage in the league. That’s something that could end up haunting them in the playoffs.
The Lakers drawing fouls is something that will be a large part of their game plan in the postseason. Los Angeles currently sits third in the Western Conference standings. Redick believes that other teams are just committing more fouls all of the time.
Los Angeles is Playing the Best Basketball of the Season
The Lakers are playing their best basketball of the year at the right time. With what they have been able to accomplish over the last three weeks, they look like a true contender to win the title. They have won 14 of their last 16 games, which is why they feel so confident.
Staying in the third seed is what the Lakers are looking to do over the last few games. They only have a 1.5-game lead over the Nuggets for that third seed. Keeping that lead will give them a more advantageous matchup for them in the first and second rounds of the playoffs.
Keeping the team healthy over the final few games is also something they will need to do. Bad health is one of the few things that can derail this team at the end of the year. This three-week stretch of play has been the healthiest that the roster has been.
LA has the eighth-best offense in the league. Keeping that side of the court operating at a high level is key to winning postseason games.