On January 7th, Beijing time, a game with five controversial calls all went against the Clippers! This is the real black whistle. The Lakers should stop complaining about being wronged. They didn't find any money, so they considered it a loss. Why don't they compare themselves to the Clippers?
Previously, the Lakers lost in the final moments against the Rockets. After the game, James led the head coach in crying foul, claiming that the referees were targeting them and even mocked the Rockets for flopping. However, after the release of the referee report, it was found that there were no incorrect or missed calls, leaving James brutally humiliated. Now, in contrast, their city rivals, the Clippers, have truly been targeted by the referees, with five controversial whistles that were very unfavorable to the Clippers. This is really impossible to play.
Harden was called for three offensive fouls in one game. The biggest loss was at 7 minutes and 15 seconds in the third quarter when Leonard was subbed out. Originally, Harden had made a beautiful pass to the corner for Leonard to complete a three-pointer, but the referee blew his whistle for an offensive foul, and the three points were gone. Harden looked confused and helpless, and finally threw up his hands in utter despair. This was the most controversial moment. The ball went in but was blown off. Harden couldn't help but throw up his hands.
Compared to the Lakers' so-called controversies at the time, it's ridiculous that Harden was called for an offensive foul. Because the two opponents were right in front of Harden, they weren't pushed away, and they were entangled with Harden the whole time. Harden passed the ball. The referee saw it go in and blew the whistle for an offensive foul. It's unbelievable.
The weirdest thing is that the referee glanced at Leonard being open and quickly blew the whistle for an offensive foul. In the end, the Clippers lost these 3 points, losing 106:108 by 2 points. The open three-pointer wasn't counted. Who would have won if this shot was counted? Moreover, it's like watching the ball go in and then blowing it off. If the ball hadn't gone in, the whistle wouldn't have been blown. If you don't want to give the Clippers these three points, just say so.
Harden didn't argue or complain to the referee. But the third offensive foul was even more ridiculous. It was said that his non-ball-handling hand touched Randle, and they got tangled up, resulting in another call. The first time, it was said that his hand touched Conley's thigh, and then Coach Lue's challenge failed, resulting in another call. In Harden's entire career, a scene where he could be called for three offensive fouls in one game is extremely rare.
If this is the standard, then in the future, when defending Harden, as long as the opposing defensive player bumps into Harden, and Harden doesn't dodge, it will be called an offensive foul. How can you blow the whistle for this kind of play? Adding to that, Gobert's elbow to Zubac's back of the head didn't even get a replay, and Porter's cut to Gobert's thigh resulted in possession going to the Timberwolves. Isn't this the real black whistle?