After being on the wrong end of a close call and replay review on Saturday night, LeBron James couldn’t help but wonder why replay is even used.
James and the Los Angeles Lakers were on the wrong end of a 108-106 final against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a game that had a controversial end.
Down three in the final seconds, LeBron hit what appeared to be a game-tying three pointer. Only, the shot was ruled a two. The play was reviewed and ultimately the ruling was upheld, something that James and the rest of the Lakers were visibly unhappy with. They even went as far as to try to plead their case to the officials using the television at the media table. But it was to no avail.
LeBron James is showing the refs that his shot was a three and not a two 👀 pic.twitter.com/U9gGWFPzEY
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) December 31, 2023
Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play and split two free throws. The Lakers were unable to win or tie the game, putting a serious spotlight on the controversial two-pointer.
After the game, LeBron was still upset about the call.
“It’s obviously a three,” he told reporters in a video shared by Dave McMenamin, ESPN. “My foot is behind the line. I mean, you can see the space between the front of my foot and the three-point line. You can clearly see a white, the wood on the floor, there’s a space in between the front of my foot and the three-point line. Stevie Wonder can see that, champ.”
After talking some about the game’s final play, LeBron returned to the would-be game-tying three-pointer.
“I mean, it’s super frustrating in the sense of what the hell do we have replay for? What do we have replay for if even the replay gets it wrong?”
LeBron James: “What’s the point of having replay if even the replay gets it wrong?” pic.twitter.com/gOyctVZUZH
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 31, 2023
[Dave McMenamin on Twitter/X]
