LeBron James has theory about why he's not getting more calls

The 16-point deficit by which the Cavaliers lost at home to the Spurs on Sunday can be nearly totally accounted for by the disparity in made free throws, a point emphasized by LeBron James in the latest edition of the long-running series, “NBA Stars Whining About Officiating.”

San Antonio was awarded 32 free throws and made 25 of them; Cleveland took just 14 and made 10. The Cavs were called for 24 fouls, double the Spurs' 12.

James was just 2 of 5 from the free-throw line and has a theory as to why a guy who drives to the basket constantly, like he does, doesn’t get more love from the refs.

cleveland.com</a>." data-reactid="25">"We protect the shooter. That's what it's turned into. Chicks dig the long ball and that's what it's about," James told reporters after Sunday’s 110-94 loss, per cleveland.com.

To James’ point, he’s getting to the line just 6.0 per game, 14th in the league and his lowest number in the category since his rookie season. Forty percent of his field-goal attempts have come from inside three feet, cleveland.com notes, a stat that would seem to portend drawing more fouls.

James Harden leads the NBA with 10.1 free-throw attempts per game, further evidence supporting James’ theory.

"There's no reason I should be going to the line four times in a game when I drive 100 times to the paint and I'm getting hit and slapped and grabbed and whatever and what not," James said.

Big guys have traditionally been perplexing for NBA refs, as pointed out Sunday by Cavs coach Tyronn Lue.

per ESPN</a>. "He's so strong and so physical, when he goes to the basket, guys are bouncing off of him. Those are still fouls, but he doesn't get that call because he's so big and so strong and so physical."" data-reactid="30">"He's the Shaq of guards and forwards," Lue said of his star, per ESPN. "He's so strong and so physical, when he goes to the basket, guys are bouncing off of him. Those are still fouls, but he doesn't get that call because he's so big and so strong and so physical."

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