Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard Says Officiating On Rule Changes 'Unacceptable'

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard says the way NBA referees have called fouls this season is "unacceptable."

Lillard, who shot one free throw in Tuesday's 117-109 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, said after the game he's surprised the changes to how rules are enforced have impacted him so much.

"I feel like the way the game is being officiated is unacceptable," the six-time All-Star told reporters. "I felt like, coming in, the rule change wouldn't affect me cuz I don't trick the referees. I don't do the trick plays. ... It's unacceptable."

Lillard is averaging 3.2 free-throw attempts per game through 11 appearances this season. He went to the line 7.2 times per game last season, and his career average in that category stands at 6.1.

The 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year is not the only player who's found it more difficult to draw foul calls, especially on plays that would lead to a free throw.

Brooklyn Nets star James Harden, who averages 8.7 free-throw attempts for his career, is down to 4.6 per game this season.

In October, Harden said he felt the rush to adhere to the changes has led some officials to swing the pendulum too far the other way and thus miss obvious foul calls:

"Yes, for sure, but I'm not the type to complain about it. I just ask every official: if they see a foul, call a foul. Sometimes I feel like coming into a game, it's already predetermined or I already have that stigma of getting foul calls, but I just ask officials to call what they see. I can't stop playing basketball. I mean, a foul is a foul no matter what league it is. But it's bigger, I've got to play better obviously. That's it."

Although the chief focus coming into the season was eliminating calls where offensive players tried to create contact to force a foul, the change has also created a grey area between those situations and actual fouls, especially on drives toward the basket.

Lillard has seen his all-around offensive game drop off amid the changes. He's averaging 19.3 points, the lowest number since his rookie season, and shooting a career-low 36.5 percent from the field.

The impact of the changes appears to have gone beyond how many times a player gets to the charity stripe, but the NBA hasn't shown any indication that it will reverse the point of emphasis.

Lillard and the Blazers return to action Wednesday when they visit the Phoenix Suns.