FanPost

Free Throw Breakdown

So I just posted this to answer a Raptors fan or at least I think he was one. Then I realized it'd be good to have for everytime this argument comes up, which is practically every game. So without further ado. Here's my little breakdown of fta and how the Lakers are not favored in that regard. Keep in mind that all stats are as of Jan. 25, 2010 at the midway point of the season.

Fta breakdown

The Lakers have a 1.4 fta differential than their opponents, which is good for 7th in the league. You know whose right below them? The Raptors at a 1.3 fta differential, please go somewhere with conspiracy theories.
In case thats not enough for you. The Raptors also shoot almost five more fts per game than the Lakers at 28.2 fts a game, good enough for second behind the Nuggest who shoot an absurd 32.1 fts per game. Lakers are middle of the pack at 23.7 fts per game.
In case thats still not enough for you. Here is a list of the fta all season by team.
Hawks – 981
Celtics – 1039
Bobcats – 1110
Bulls – 988
Cavs – 1166
Mavs – 994
Nuggets – 1378!!!
Pistons – 1091
Warriors – 1129
Rockets – 1012
Pacers – 1109
Clippers – 1050
Lakers – 1043
Grizzlies – 1144
Heat – 1051
Bucks – 858
Wolves – 1056
Nets – 1073
Hornets – 878
Knicks – 973
Thunder – 1144
Magic – 1191
Sixers – 993
Suns – 1137
Blazers – 1142
Kings – 1069
Spurs – 1022
Raptors – 1270
Jazz – 1125
Wizards – 1083
The freakin Nets have shot more fts than the Lakers. I don’t want to hear it.
And in case you wanna make a the refs favor Kobe argument. Kobe is number 12 in terms of fta at 7.3. He’s the least favored of superstars with fts. Melo, James, Durant, Wade, Bosh, G. Wall, Dirk, Billups, D. Howard is of course number 1, and even Maggette and Kevin Martin are ahead of him.
Every single stat out there points to a great big NO! with capitals and exclamation marks for emphasis.
But just in case you were wondering. Lakers are also middle of the pack in terms of avg fouls on the other team at 21.5 and in fact the Lakers actually on avg receive less calls than their opponents with a -1.7 differential between foul calls. So there you go. The Lakers are no more favored than most teams in the league, if anything they're less favored. But really if you want to go and look into this even further be my guest.