JJ Redick is simply unhappy with the officiating in the Lakers-Thunder series, particularly with how LeBron James was treated.
JJ Redick didn't mince words about his thoughts on the officiating of the Los Angeles Lakers' Game 2 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
Particularly, he can only sympathize with LeBron James not getting the proper treatment he deserves from the officials.
"LeBron James has the worst whistle of any star player I’ve ever seen," Redick said in the postgame of the 125-107 loss. "I’ve been with him two years now. The smaller guys, because they can be theatrical, typically draw more fouls, and it’s harder for bigger players built like LeBron. But he gets clobbered, and he got clobbered again tonight a bunch.
"That’s not a new thing or specific to this crew or this series. He gets fouled a lot that doesn’t get called. He gets hit on the head more than any player I’ve seen on drives, and it rarely gets called."
James finished the game with 23 points, six assists and three steals across 38 minutes. He went 9-of-18 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
Game 2 between the Lakers and the Thunder is marred by plenty of officiating controversies. The Lakers were visibly frustrated throughout the game, culminating in an on-court confrontation between Austin Reaves and the officiating crew after the final buzzer.
OKC's highly physical play has been evident in Game 2, and Redick stands convinced that the officials missed calling whistles against the Thunder on Thursday night.
"I sarcastically said the other day they were the most disruptive team without fouling. They have a few guys that foul on every possession, and all good defenses do," Redick told reporters. "SGA gets a touch foul on the drive, and there was a stretch where, on four straight possessions, our guys got absolutely clobbered trying to make an entry pass to Jaxson. Jalen Williams was grabbing his jersey with both arms.
"They’re already hard enough to play against, and you’ve got to be able to call it if they foul. And they do foul."
It remains to be seen if the league office will review Game 2. Redick and the Lakers find themselves under immense pressure, down 0-2 as the series shifts to LA starting on Saturday's Game 3.
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