One of the biggest storylines of the 2017-18 NBA season continues to be the tumultuous relationship between players and referees. Players and coaches around the league have been vocal about the distinction between what is and isn’t a foul.
Needless to say, the tensions seemingly boiled over for LeBron James during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 124-117 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, interim head coach Larry Drew has no problem with James voicing his opinion throughout the course of a game.
“I like it a lot because I know the next time he gets the basketball, he’s going to drive it right to the basket,” Drew said. “I know the next time he gets that basketball, he’s not going to settle for a perimeter shot. He’s going to get to the basket. He’s going to put the onus on the official, as far as the call is concerned.”
It goes without saying that James is one of the most physical players in the league. Due to his playing style –along with his status as the best player in the NBA — he should be able to garner double-digit free-throw attempts nearly every game. However, James feels he has been slighted by the referees and has started to be more vocal about it.
Fortunately, he did not let that get in the way of leading the Cavs to their second-straight win. James put on one of his best performances of the season with 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. While it was not his most efficient night, that could be attributed to the fact that he had just eight attempts from the free-throw line.