However, at the end of a controversial 132-131 win over the Toronto Raptors that resulted in a viral Darko Rajakovic rant about the historic fourth quarter foul differential, the outspoken NBA star all of a sudden sounded a little different.

“I feel like they fouled and we didn’t,” James said simply when asked about the officiating.

Rajakovic says Lakers win was “bullsh*t”

“It’s outrageous. What happened tonight is complete bullsh*t,” the Raptors coach ranted in the postgame press conference. “It’s a disgrace to the referees and to the league for allowing this.”

Overall, the Lakers shot 36 free throws to the Raptors’ 13. The 23-2 difference in free throw attempts in the fourth quarter in favor of LA (19-0 in the last four minutes) set a record for the biggest free throw discrepancy in one quarter of a game this NBA season.

“Did they have to win tonight? If that’s the case, let them tell us so we don’t show up for the game. Let them get the win. But tonight was not fair,” he said.

The Lakers got 19 free throws in last 4 minutes – the Raptors got 0

🧱 36-13 total
🧱 19-0 in last 4 minutes

8 of Lakers’ last 10 possessions were free throws. pic.twitter.com/h1svzY4VdO

— BrickMuse (@BrickMuse) January 10, 2024

He also threw what appeared to be poorly-disguised jabs at Lakers All-Stars James and Anthony Davis, and their tendency to beg for calls.

“I understand the respect for All-Stars and all that, but we have All-Stars too. How is it possible that Scottie Barnes, who is an All-Star caliber player, is always going to the rim hard, not ‘flopping‘ and not trying to get fouled and he only gets two free throws the whole game?” he added.