LeBron James Argues NBA Referees Protect Shooters Over Drivers

The new-look Cleveland Cavaliers took a tough loss Sunday night, as the Spurs cruised to a 110-94 victory behind LaMarcus Aldridge's 27 points and Danny Green's 22. After the game, LeBron James, who played 40 minutes, expressed frustration over how the game is being officiated.

He drove to the bucket 12 times during the game and drew zero fouls, though it looked like he may have gotten hacked a time or two.

"We're at a point now where we protect the shooter more than the driver," King James said. "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 whatnot. We protect the shooter. That's what it's turned into. 'Chicks dig the long ball,' and that's what it's about."

"I mean, he attacks the rim a lot, so it's up to the ref. It's on them to make the calls," Thompson said. "I think, with him being so strong and athletic, just because he's bigger and stronger than everyone, doesn't mean it (should not be) a foul. I think he gets fouled more than anyone in this league, and he gets hit, but people kind of take advantage of the fact that he's 280 and he's a freight train. But if a guy gets hit, you got to call the foul. But that's just my personal opinion."

LeBron, 33, is averaging 26.6 points, 8.9 assists, and 8.3 rebounds per game in his 15th season. He's a leading MVP candidate (up there with James Harden and Kevin Durant), but he has his lowest free-throw-per-game average since his rookie season.