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Report: LeBron 'increasingly frustrated' with officiating

Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James isn't happy.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' superstar "has become increasingly frustrated with the way he's been officiated" so far through the 2016-17 season, team sources tell ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

James was hit with his second technical foul of the season in the first quarter of the Cavs' 100-92 loss to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night, for shouting at an official after he was fouled by Shelvin Mack. While he went to the line on the play, James was furious about a previous non-call on Mack after reportedly hearing Jazz head coach Quin Snyder instruct Mack to foul James.

James acknowledged he's been extra frustrated with the way he's been officiated of late, leading to Tuesday's technical.

"Yeah, I got fouled," he said. "But I know what the main thing is - the main this is to win."

James reportedly feels officials are ignoring contact when he drives to the basket, which McMenamin points out is particularly concerning considering he makes most of his shots within the paint. Sources said the superstar also believes that "players who thrive more on jump shots than drives have been rewarded with big nights at the line."

As examples, McMenamin notes that Jimmy Butler's had 20 free-throw attempts or more twice in 2017, while James Harden's enjoyed double-digit free-throw attempts in seven of his past nine contests.

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