Former Lakers champ cites bold reason behind LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal’s missed calls

By | Niranjan Bhargav 8 Nov, 2023

NBA champion Metta World Peace stated that, in an effort to level the playing field, missed calls involving superstars like LeBron James are already frequent.

In response to the news that the Lakers contacted the league office over missed foul calls against James in their close 108-107 defeat to the Miami Heat on Monday, the former defensive player of the year—who also won a league title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010—shared this audacious assertion.

Metta World Peace voiced his opinion on X (previously Twitter), pointing out that elite players like Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James don’t always receive calls during games, allowing players from different classes to compete against them.

The NBA All-Star in 2004:

“King James and Shaq are usually the ones that miss calls to keep the game fair for others who are unable to participate. I am still determining how the hood maintains its poise. All in all, though, a fantastic start to the NBA season.”

After losing to the Heat in Miami, the Lakers contacted the NBA over what they believed to be many missed foul calls, according to ESPN.

The squad shared film recordings of what it thought to be unlawful contact done by Heat players against 19-time NBA All-Star LeBron James, pointing to plays related to those plays.

James only went to the free-throw line four times and made each one while finishing with thirty points. The veteran Lakers player has tried six free throws per game this season.

Los Angeles fell to 3-4 on the season after suffering its second consecutive defeat against the Heat. The Lakers’ next game is a Wednesday away matchup against the Houston Rockets.

LeBron James wins over NBA fans despite the Heat defeat.

Even though a groin injury sidelined All-Star teammate Anthony Davis, LeBron James led the Lakers nearly to victory with a passionate effort that thrilled many NBA fans, even if the Lakers lost to the Miami Heat.

With 30 points, “The King” led the charge for the understaffed Lakers, but it was not enough, as they lost 108-107.

Fans, however, were not unappreciative of his efforts, as seen by their praise on social media.

What a few of them wrote about X is below:

@erujabidi wrote: in year 60 of his life… wow