"In LA ain't that convenient?"- Devin Booker cheekily calls out Lakers luck with refs on D'Angelo Russell's podcast
Devin Booker took a cheeky dig at the LA Lakers free throw disparity advantage during an appearance on guard D'Angelo Russell's "The Backyard Podcast." The latter described one of his 'favorite' stories early in his career as a Laker, suggesting he was getting favorable calls from referees in one of the games.
That prompted Booker's comment on how playing for LA makes it more 'convenient.'
“I was in [Los Angeles]. We [were] playing Phoenix … I used to get the whistle, my boy, in LA, young bull," D'Angelo Russell said (h/t @CGBurner on X).
“In LA, ain’t that convenient," Devin Booker replied. "You didn’t get it in Brooklyn or Golden State. That makes sense."
Devin Booker hinted at D'Angelo Russell's time with the Nets and the Warriors, where the calls weren't as favorable or consistent.
However, it was different with the Lakers. Russell had two games against Phoenix in his sophomore year, where he made six and five trips to the foul line in separate games on Nov. 6, 2016, and Feb. 15, 2017. His season high that year was seven free throw attempts.
Rookies and sophomores don't have much luck with referees early in their careers, which seemingly excited Russell in a few of those games where he had his way with the whistles.
However, D'Angelo Russell's career-high free throw attempts season didn't come until 2019-20, when he split time playing for the Warriors and Timberwolves. He averaged 4.6 FTAs per game in 33 outings with the Dubs and 4.4 FTAs in Minnesota in 12 games.
In his first stint in LA, Russell averaged 2.4 FTAs in his rookie season and 3.0 the following year.
Devin Booker has been at the receiving end of major free throw disparity against the Lakers
Devin Booker has seen the whistle disparity against the LA Lakers, especially in the past few seasons. While Booker has gotten his calls, from a collective standpoint, the Lakers were much ahead with free throw attempts. One of the most significant differentials came during the 2022-23 season on March 22, 2023. Booker went 10 of 12 from the line, but Phoenix made only 20 trips as a team.
Meanwhile, the Lakers had a whopping 46 attempts. Austin Reaves led with 13 attempts, while Anthony Davis had 10. Then Suns coach Monty Williams had a fiery press conference about the disparity.
Devin Booker experienced another game-changing moment against the Lakers on Dec. 6, 2023, when the Suns lost 106-103 after a class call went in LA's favor. He accused the refs of blowing an 'obvious' call after the refs awarded the Lakers a timeout despite them not having ball possession.
“The whole world seen it,” Booker said when asked to break down the play. “I just got off social media and other players around the league seen it, so it is what it is. Refs miss calls sometimes, but when they’re a bit that obvious, it’s tough.”
The Lakers have had a 400+ and 500+ free throw differential the past two years, which has raised eyebrows over the calls they get in games. However, in fairness to the Lakers, under the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era, their play style has often allowed them to gain an advantage in the free throw department.
The rim pressure put by the likes of James, Davis and Austin Reaves, along with the lack of fouling, allows the Lakers to find success with the whistles.