Retired NBA Player Calls Out Lakers Foul-Baiting Style
The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the most impressive NBA teams this season. Skeptics questioned whether they had a chance against the top Western Conference squads even at full strength, but they’ve been among the league’s best.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both having dream seasons put the Lakers in a top four seed with an 11-4 record. Retired
“They’re getting a lot of calls,” Parsons said on his Run It Back show. “They’re dependent on this in their offense. So, if I’m a team scouting against them, I am saying, guys, let’s try. I know obviously it’s hard because they have mastered doing this just like Jalen Brunson has, just like a lot of other guys have.”
Parsons Feels Lakers Can’t With Ethically
The online debate about foul baiting being dubbed “unethical” basketball has led to criticism of players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson and others who hunt for fouls in recent years. Parsons believes that opposing teams playing smarter would limit the Lakers more than other top teams:
“Defend them without fouling, and they are gonna struggle, especially in the half court, because this is their game. They create contact, they flail into you, they throw their head back every time there are hands. So teams going forward have to realize, okay, they’re getting a lot of free throws, especially these two ball-dominant guys. You have to defend them without fouling, and I think their offense will obviously take a huge hit.”
The Lakers are second in free-throw attempts per game at 29.1, tied with the Dallas Mavericks. Only one team shoots more free throws, as the Orlando Magic average 31.7 per game. Parsons thinks the Lakers show a stronger flaw than the other true contenders by this reliance on free throws.
Is Parsons Right About The Lakers?
The overall talking point comes back to how much one believes in the Lakers being legitimate and carrying this strong play into the postseason. One major problem is that the Western Conference has three juggernaut teams. The
Los Angeles must have a consistently dominant season just to secure home court in the first round and rely on that style of play to beat equal or better teams in the playoffs. Parsons’ point also highlights the postseason style of more intense basketball and fewer fouls being called.
Doncic and Reaves may not get many of the same calls that come easier in random weeknight games against poor teams in November. Parsons didn’t completely bury the Lakers, but he made it clear that this style makes them vulnerable in close games against better teams.
Warriors Get Bad and Good News on Kuminga, Curry
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga will miss his fifth consecutive game due to bilateral knee tendinitis when the team returns to Chase Center to face the
The 23-year-old forward has been battling discomfort for nearly two weeks and the team has chosen a cautious approach despite the Warriors’ up-and-down start.
Stephen Curry Cleared; Butler, Green and Hield Listed as Probable
Golden State received a boost on Thursday as Stephen Curry was cleared to return from his ankle injury after missing the final two games of the Warriors’ six-game road trip. The team also listed starters
They all missed Wednesday’s 110–96 loss to the Miami Heat, where Golden State played without Curry, Butler, Green, Kuminga and center
Kuminga Feels Like the ‘Scapegoat’ in Warriors’ Struggles
GettyJimmy Butler had a lot to say on the pressure, uncertain future, and trade rumors Jonathan Kuminga is facing with the Golden State Warriors.
Despite his promising start, Kuminga is reportedly frustrated with how he has been treated during the team’s early struggles. A team source told ESPN’s Anthony Slater that Kuminga “feels like the scapegoat again” after being demoted to the bench when the Warriors’ rotations became unstable following a 4–1 start.
“Kuminga’s turnovers spiked and performance dipped. Searching for rotation answers, Kerr demoted Kuminga back to a bench role, reopening old wounds,” Slater wrote.
Kuminga averaged 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists through nine games while his turnovers climbed from 2.4 per game to 3.1 per game during his final seven appearances before the injury.
Warriors Won Without Him, But Butler Says Winning Isn’t About Kuminga
Golden State won three straight immediately after Kuminga went down — a trend that might have intensified speculation. However, Butler pushed back on the idea that the Warriors improved simply because Kuminga wasn’t playing.
“Him not being in the lineup ain’t the reason that we’re winning,” Butler said. “We’re just playing better basketball. Roles are clearer. We’re making shots. We’re guarding. That ain’t got nothing to do with him.”
Kuminga Felt Like a ‘Human Trade Exception’ This Summer
Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million extension in October, but Slater reported that the former lottery pick believed he was being treated like a “human trade exception,” with his future not fully secure even after signing the deal.
Internally, there is acknowledgment that Kuminga’s contract does not guarantee long-term status in Golden State’s core.
Kuminga Expected to Come Off the Bench Upon Return
Head coach Steve Kerr has settled into a new starting lineup featuring
Butler Mentoring Kuminga: ‘You Asked for This’
Butler has taken an active mentoring role with Kuminga after the forward’s tense contract discussions.
“He listens to me,” Butler told ESPN. “When JK doing some [expletive], I’m going to tell him we can’t have that.”
According to Butler, Kuminga must embrace pressure instead of blaming others.
“Draymond nailed it,” Butler said. “He said, ‘Hey, you asked for this.’… You can’t let this [expletive] affect how you play.”
