"The Lakers were able to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and with Jalen Williams not playing, OKC still won Games 1 and 2 by 18 points each. Hopefully the Lakers can avoid a sweep when they return to The Crypt, but it doesn't look very likely, not when committing 39 turnovers in two games."
"It was so bush league to see the Lakers crowd around the beleagued referees at the end of an 18-point loss to the Thunder in Game 2. The number of free throws was nearly even, favoring OKC 26-21. There are no bigger whiners in the league than LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton, who have in their minds never committed a foul and are always fouled with no call on any possession. This is playoff basketball - grow up and play ball. The results in this series speak for themselves."
"You cannot tell me that the defensive "mauling" allowed by NBA officials during the playoffs would be tolerated during the regular season. It almost looks like the NBA upper brass - Adam Silver and his cohorts/consultants - have directly or indirectly "suggested" that referees simply "let 'em play.""
"This inconsistency and change of "style" by the officials has either confused or frustrated many offensive players as well as some fans. To me, a foul is a foul, period! Considerations like superstar or rookie, home team or visitors, the fourth quarter versus the first, closing minutes or seconds of a game, regular season versus the playoffs should not matter."
JJ Redick praised the Thunder as among the greatest NBA teams ever. The Lakers limited Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, yet OKC won Games 1 and 2 by 18 points each, including a Game 2 loss where the Lakers’ crowd surrounded referees. Free throws were nearly even, 26-21 for OKC. Criticism focused on perceived whiners and on players who believe they are never called for fouls. Another complaint targeted officiating inconsistency, with claims that playoff “mauling” would not be tolerated in the regular season. The view was that foul standards should not change by quarter, team, or game context, and that Lakers players faced more calls while others did not.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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