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James Williams, NBA ref for Lakers-Thunder, has L.A. fans concerned about his history
TL;DR
James Williams will officiate the Lakers-Thunder game, raising concerns among L.A. fans due to his controversial history. Fans are worried about his past performance as a referee.
Key points
- James Williams is officiating the Lakers-Thunder game.
- Lakers fans are concerned about his controversial history.
- Williams has a poor reputation among Lakers supporters.
James WilliamsLos Angeles LakersOklahoma City Thunder
James Williams, NBA ref for Lakers-Thunder, has L.A. fans concerned about his history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NBA fans love to get riled up by the referees chosen for their games.
That's what's happening on Tuesday as the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. They've noticed that one of the refs is James Williams.
Williams does not have a great reputation among Lakers fans, and a longer look at the numbers at least backs some of that up.
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James Williams ref history
Williams, 46, has been an NBA ref since the 2009-10 season, so there's a lot of data to be looked at.
The Thunder have the fifth-best winning percentage in games that Williams has reffed, at 58.2%.
The Lakers have the ninth-worst winning percentage, at 45.9%.
Some of that has to do with the caliber of teams over the 15-plus years Williams has been doing this, so it's not a perfect metric, but it's a starting point.
Q&A
Why are Lakers fans concerned about referee James Williams?
Lakers fans are concerned about James Williams due to his poor reputation and controversial officiating history in previous games.
What is James Williams' history as an NBA referee?
James Williams has a track record that has led to criticism from fans, particularly among Lakers supporters, regarding his officiating decisions.
How does James Williams' officiating affect the Lakers-Thunder game?
His officiating could impact the game's outcome, as fans believe his past performance may influence the fairness of calls made during the match.
