Were the Chicago Bulls robbed by non-flagrant foul call?

The Chicago Bulls had a one-point lead and the ball with time running out in Game 6 of their first-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. C.J. Watson dribbled down court and passed to Omer Asik, who was clobbered by Spencer Hawes. Two missed free throws, and before you know it, the 76ers win and eliminate the top-seeded Bulls from the playoffs.

Thursday, Bulls fans were crying over the fact that Hawes’ foul should have been called flagrant, which would have given the Bulls two free throws and the ball, effectively sealing the victory. Watch the video above, then join me back here. I’ll wait.

Did you watch? Did you think it was flagrant? If so, you were wrong. This is playoff basketball. It’s more physical. What might be called a flagrant foul in November is not a flagrant foul in May. So stop crying Bulls fans. After all, if the tables were turned, you would all be saying “No, that wasn’t flagrant.”

The better question is not whether it was a flagrant foul, but what was C.J. Watson thinking? Watson is a career 80.7% free-throw shooter. Omer Asik is a career 48.4% free-throw shooter. Just dribble the ball and make them foul you, C.J. Don’t give it to the worst free-throw shooter on the team, a guy who makes Shaq look like Bill Sharman (look it up, kids) at the line.

So, the top-seeded Bulls are gone, opening the road for the Miami Heat to storm to the NBA Finals. And if the Heat win the title, a little piece of hope and joy will die inside everyone across America.

Thanks a lot, C.J. Watson.

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Were the Chicago Bulls robbed by non-flagrant foul call?