Luka career high in FTA

[Ryoga Hibiki]

I don't want to start conspiracies, but he's been shooting 12.2 FT per game, career high. In the last few years:
2021 7.1
2022 7.5
2023 10.5
2024 8.7
leaving out last year.
This while increasing his 3pt rate and reducing his shots at the rim.

Is there any other explanation, or it's just Lakers bias?

[Shaka_Zulu]

Not suprised about the bump. He is getting the Austin Reaves Laker whistle.



There is absolutely zero chance AR15, as talented as he is, would get this whistle in smaller market franchise.

[Mavrelous]

He had similar FTA once, pre injury in 22/23, he also had an insane usage then, but my personal impression is that there is indeed Lakers bias, some calls he used to not get in Dallas, he's getting now, and another impression I have is that while he was always a foul baiter, he dialed it up this year.
He is also shooting career low at the rim in frequency, but is shooting career high in accuracy 94.7%, this is a mark lob finishers can dream of, so maybe defenses are selling out to deny him the layup, not that I noticed anything unusual in the way he's defended.

[Andri]

In my opinion, just by the eye test, he wasn’t getting a favorable whistle compared to other stars last couple of seasons. I think he went through the same thing many physically strong players have dealt with.

Maybe after all the noise about SGA last season, refs are trying to even things out. Personally, I’d rather they level the playing field by calling less, not more.

If you look at the numbers, he’s increased his drives compared to the last two seasons (even more than in 2022–23, when he had a similar free throw rate to this year). That suggests he’s in better shape now, or at least healthier, maybe both.

So overall, it makes sense he’s getting more calls since he’s attacking the rim more. Still, it does feel like the whistle is a bit too much lately, not just for Doncic, but league-wide.

[zeebneeb]

Yes, absolutely its a Lakers bias. Refs are human as well, and have those built it. It is what it is. I dont think its a conspiracy, I just think that's the nature of the game.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, we have Cade Cunningham, who has been in the top 5 for drives for 3 years, this season hes second behind Zion(18.7) and is now taking a career high in free throw attempts. (7.8)

He has guys draped on him from start to finish, and gets an incredibly lean whistle in comparison to Luka.

If Cade was on the Lakers, he would be taking more free throw attempts. Lets also not forget, Austin Reaves is also taking 9.5 attempts per game. Thats absolutely ridiculous. (14.5 drives per. Luka is at 14.9)

[MoneyTalks41890]

AR is like 3rd in attempts it’s pretty comical

[Liam_Gallagher]

Stop fouling then.

[og15]

Just want to remind all those who will comment that FTA/G so far this season is at the highest it has been since 06-07. This is likely related to the "high five" rule. League average is 25.7 FTA/G, up 4 a game from last season. The league had not gone over 24 FTA/G since 10-11.

The current FTA/G is 90's FTA/G, though of course with more possessions, so the FT/FGA might make it not feel like as much of a FT fest as it did in the 90's.

12.2 FTA/G is insane though, but at a 10 game sample size, I'll wait and see. In 22-23, he was at 11.5 FTA/G for the first 13 games. Luka is certainly a solid foul drawer (I know the preferred term for people is foul baiter).

[Petergrifindor]

Lakers bias.

He was absolutely mistreated by the refs during his Mavs tenue.

[BodieB]

Is there anyone arguing that he's not actually deserving of the attempts? We're not even a month in the season and y'all are already exhausting.

[PistolPeteJR]

I'm not saying he merits them nor am I saying he doesn't merit them.

What's absolutely hilarious though is the whining and complaining about each of Luka and Reaves' FTA/g with ZERO substantial evidence provided to show why they are unwarranted.

Critical thinking is completely MIA.

[AleksandarN]

[Deathray]

It's not just Luka. FT attempts are up four per team per game so far this year. Something is different with the officiating.

[algope]

Like some have said, is something general in the whole league. The FTA have increased a lot this year. On the other hand, related to Luka, IMHO is related to the improved physical condition. Is driving more and is more agile than ever and I would say that his wistle this year is absolute different than last year´s. He was getting foul calls in those past years playing with fake movements and now the majority of his fouls are more similar to SGA goul calls, he drives and forces the contact when the defender tries to recover.

[Mephariel]

Is there anyone arguing that he's not actually deserving of the attempts? We're not even a month in the season and y'all are already exhausting.

Yet, people argued SGA is not deserving of the attempts. Luka foul baits just as much, if not more.

[DavidSterned]

I'm all for a good conspiracy at this point but as others said, it's not just Luka.

Free throw attempts are up from 21.7 per game per team to 25.7. Fouls per game have increased from 18.6 to 21.9.

Both are crazy jumps and we're approaching the point where that is now a meaningful sample size a month into the season.

I caught the 4th quarter and OT of the Blazers/Mavs game last night and it reminded me why I've pretty much given up on the current league. Just an endless parade of soft whistles, with offensive guys getting to use their off-arm every possession while defenders aren't allowed to breathe on anyone if they are driving. It's just a laughable product right now and it's getting worse and worse.

[The Servant]

The Lakers Effect *

[Optms]

Getting to the foul line is a skill. You all just have to deal with it and stop crying about it.

[Doranku]

Why are so many people outraged that AR is 3rd in FTA? He's 11th in drives/game and 14th in usage%. Averaging 28/5/8 on the season. It's time to stop acting like he's some scrub role player lol

[Black Jack]

Luka realistically if he stays in shape and decides to not ball hog will probably finish as the greatest scorer in league history.

He's playing with all of the knowledge from watching Harden, Curry, Kobe etc. He's a prodigy.