Why LeBron James’ “Phantom” foul call vs. Portland Trail Blazers wasn’t reversed

Lake Show Life breaks down the ‘foul’ that involved LeBron James against the Portland Trail Blazers and gets a quote from the NBA why that was the case.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers went into Portland in a very bad mood and a mission. By hook or by crook, they were going to snap their season-long four-game losing streak.

With any period of losing brings out drama. Most of the time it comes from the Lakers fanbase. This time, Kyle Kuzma‘s trainer decided to get to Instagram and criticize LeBron James about his performance and work ethic. With reports of LeBron’s groin issues and the fact it was touch and go that he would play, the Lakers’ unofficial reality show is back.

While the game had its ups and downs, the Los Angeles Lakers stopped the losing skid beating the Trail Blazers 127-118. This is not about the Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers were going to beat them if LeBron played. The Portland front line is anchored by Hassan Whiteside and Anthony Tolliver. They had no chance.

This game was about LeBron and really how injured he is. Was the injury report a cop-out for losing the ball out-of-bounds putting Patrick Beverley in the running for the All-NBA Defense first team?

Or is this a real problem that LeBron is trying to push through based on the “Load Management” controversy that he’s a part of. In any case, LeBron looked moody and about his business. He handled it quite well filling the box score with 21 points, 16 assists, seven rebounds and two steals. Pretty good for someone who was listed questionable up until a few hours before game time.

But no matter what LeBron did in this game, one play will be remembered around the NBA for the foreseeable future. The “phantom” call was not overturned.

Let’s break down the play here. Afterward, there’s a comment section for anyone to weigh in.

LeBron James jumps the lane and steals Anthony Tolliver’s beach ball toss to Anfernee Simons (Sidebar: A special shout out to Rip City Project, FanSided’s Trail Blazers website! Man they need a frontcourt!) and steals it.

LeBron outruns him to the rim and smokes the layup. The drama now starts at the 8:34 mark of the 2nd quarter. Anthony Tolliver looks like he can’t even catch LeBron to even contest the shot.

LeBron James went down holding his elbow, an injury that was created by crashing into the camera section. They need to move them back but that’s another discussion. Portland head coach, Terry Stotts, immediately called a timeout and challenged the call. Even after review, referees upheld the foul, giving LeBron two shots.

Anybody that watched the game had to be screaming at the TV sets along with the Portland faithful in the arena at the NBA referees… HOW IS THIS A FOUL?!

After the game, NBA Crew Chief Pat Freher made a formal statement to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com why the foul was upheld following the challenge from Terry Stotts. Here’s the statement courtesy of Yahoo.

"“The foul call was initially called by Matt [Myers] and when Coach Stotts challenged the play the crew chief [Fraher] is responsible for looking at the play. Upon review, from the baseline angle we saw the defender, Tolliver, run up behind a vulnerable airborne shooter, being LeBron, and make illegal contact with his left knee to the left foot of LeBron.”"

Okay now that we have the statement, let’s take a look at another angle to see if Tolliver actually made contact with LeBron or was it a flop.

This video shows the play from another angle. It shows that Tolliver DID clip LeBron’s ankle that caused the foul. What Kyle Kuzma is doing is up for debate. Ask him.

The conversation on social media got so bad former disgraced referee, Tim Donaghy’s name came up. If you don’t know who he is, Google him. But here’s the Lake Show Life take on the situation.

Was it a foul?

Absolutely! Under no circumstances can a player-run up under another player and get in their landing space. It’s called for jump shooters, it applies here. If you want to blame someone, blame Zaza Pachulia. When he stuck his foot under Kawhi Leonard and severely injured him, everything changed. The NBA has been consistent with this.

Does LeBron look bad in this situation?

Absolutely. There are not many pick up ballers that would have given LeBron that call. In some places (Starting with Flint Michigan. Ask Kyle Kuzma and JaVale McGee, they’ll tell you!) that would get him run out of the gym. Sure he was fouled, but he should have finished the layup.

Lakers fans went nuts when Lou Williams blew the layup on Christmas Day in the 4th quarter that sent him to the line. Even Sweet Lou knew better.

Jeff Van Gundy said the same thing about Williams that Lake Show Life will say to LeBron James. Hit the lay up.