However, the cheating has narrowed. I have written about this before and it continues this year that the Lakers have the greatest free throw differential in the league 3 years running. The only conclusion is that the referees are instructed to call more fouls on the Lakers opponents and less on them. See Below - I included recent champions for perspective.
2022-23 FT ATT OPP FT ATT Difference
Los Angeles 26.6 20.8 +5.8 - Lakers were first in both categories
Milwaukee 22.4 21.0 +1.4
Denver 22.4 22.7 -0.3
Boston 21.6 21.1 +0.5
2023-24 FT ATT OPP FT ATT Difference
Los Angeles 24.2 18.0 +6.2 - Lakers were second in both categories
Milwaukee 23.9 21.5 +2.5
Denver 19.9 22.2 -2.3
Boston 20.2 17.3 +2,9
2024-25 FT ATT OPP FT ATT Difference
Los Angeles 22.9 18.8 +4.1 - Currently 8th attempts - OPP 4th
Milwaukee 22.3 21.1 +1.2
Denver 23.6 19.8 +3.8
Boston 20.9 18.2 +2.7
For Personal Fouls
In 2022-23, The Lakers committed 17.9 (least in league) and opponents 21.5 (2nd most in League).
In 2023-24, The Lakers committed 15,6 (least in league) and opponents 19.7 (5nd most in League).
In 2024-25, The Lakers committed 16.2 (2nd least in league) and opponents 19.5 (6nd most in League).
There should be laws against this. The media does not call this out - Stephen A Smith, Charles Barkley, Bill Simmons, Brian Windhorst, Broderick Perkins are all quite on this issue.
Let the cheating begin.
