LeBron James responds to Steve Kerr’s flopping comments
The Golden State Warriors are still alive after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 121-106 at home in Game 5 Wednesday. Now, LeBron James and the Lakers are looking to close out the series in Los Angeles in Game 6 on Friday at 10 p.m. EST.
One of the biggest storylines of this series is the difference in fouls called between L.A. and the Warriors. Resulting in the Lakers making it to the free-throw line much more frequently than Golden State, head coach Steve Kerr openly called the Lakers out for flopping after the team’s Game 4 loss.
“They understand how to generate some calls. I thought they took some flops and were rewarded,” Kerr said after Game 4.
The Lakers shot an impressive 20-for-20 from the free throw line in their 104-101 win in Game 4. Game 5, however, saw both teams attempt an equal amount of free throws with 15. There is no denying that drawing fouls has been a major part of the Lakers’ success this season. James being accused of flopping is also nothing new.
When asked about the flopping allegations, James was very blunt in denying these claims.
“We’re just not a team that goes out there looking for flopping opportunities,” James said after Game 5. “It’s just not us. It’s never been. It’s actually never been any team I’ve played on in my 20 years where we’ve been a flopping team.”
Los Angeles head coach Darvin Ham also responded to Kerr’s accusations in the middle of game Game 5, stating: “We don’t teach flopping.”
All though LeBron James has had success in Game 7s on the road against the Warriors in the past, he will likely be going for the kill in Game 6 tomorrow.
Was LeBron the ‘prominent Lakers player’ quoted before Game 5?
Before the beginning of last night’s tip-off between the Warriors and Lakers, TNT sideline reporter Chris Haynes shared a text message from a prominent Lakers player. The player remained anonymous, but stated to Haynes:
“Let them bleep and complain. It shows weakness and frustration. We can’t get caught up in that game. We just have to play and keep fighting.”
Nobody will likely ever know who this anonymous player is that made these comments. It is hard to deny however that it does sound like something James would definitely say.
Heading back home for Game 6 is the Lakers’ best chance to finish this series and dethrone the Warriors. If they have to flop and win the game with free throws, they will likely do so if necessary.
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