Opposing scout on LeBron’s 3-point attempt vs. Wolves: ‘He left it open to debate’

The entire NBA universe was discussing three things on Saturday night:

3. The Knicks and Raptors making a trade involving OG Anunoby, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.

2. The Pistons halting their 28-game losing streak.

1. The Lakers’ loss to the Timberwolves — or more specifically, LeBron James‘ game-tying 3-point field attempt that was ruled a two. It continued to be ruled a two after after replay review.

It all took place with 3.3 seconds to go. So the Lakers ended up losing to the Western Conference’s top team by a 108-106 count. Los Angeles is now 3-7 since winning the In-Season Tournament. 

Afterward, James lobbied against the call.

“It’s obviously a 3,” he told reporters. “My foot is behind the line. I mean, you can see the space between the front of my foot and the 3-point line. You can clearly see a white, the wood on the floor. There’s a space in between the front of my foot and the 3-point line. So, you know, Stevie Wonder can see that, champ.”

James added that whoever was manning the replay center was probably eating a ham sandwich instead of reviewing the call.

“What the hell do we got replay for?” James told reporters. “What do we have replay for if even the replay gets it wrong? It’s just like, who is a part of the replay center? Like, do we got robots in there making Teslas? Like, what’s going on?”

But one rival scout who watched the game said he thought right away he thought it was a two. But admitted he was far from positive.

“That may be the closest I’ve ever seen and I don’t think anyone can be positive,” the scout told Hoops Wire. “It’s another great shot from LeBron, but he left it open to debate, there’s no question about it.”

Stillshots of James’ foot behind the line began to circulate online, including from some reporters who were at the game. It makes you wonder who provided those frames if the reporters were watching the game live and didn’t have access to a television.

Anyway, all of it took place on James’ 39th birthday, something he later mentioned on social media.

“I mean, it’s obvious it’s a 3,” James said. “My foot was behind the line. You can see the space between the front of my foot and the 3-point line. You can clearly see the wood on the floor, the space in between the front of my foot and the 3-point line. Stevie Wonder can see that, champ.”

Actually, it’s not that cut and dry. Not even close. But the Lakers have bigger issues than that shot in a late December regular-season game. Right now, they again look play-in tournament bound. 

James acknowledged as much.