But even on that play, it wasn’t nearly as one-sided as people paint it to be. You clearly see LeBron hooking his off-hand on Darius’ arm. If someone does that to you in a physical series, you’ll yank the thing out of there.

The Wizards didn’t make enough basketball plays to win, that much is certain. However, you need to make some semblance of a basketball play in order to play the game. The play where DeShawn Stevenson caught LeBron with a fist was still a basketball play.

There’s a big difference between physical intimidation and a malicious intent to injure. Have you ever played with someone that drives like LeBron? You know the type — the kind of guy that closes his eyes, lowers his shoulders and throws himself into the paint. What does a defender do in order to dissuade this type of play — which is a blatant attempt to force the issue of a foul? You rough him up next time down. It’s basketball. From a young age, coaches will tell you to protect the rim.

The Wizards claimed they were going to foul the man and then they didn’t make basketball plays to try and play the ball. That isn’t “within the rules of the game” and they voided any benefit of the doubt they might have received.

It was one-sided. I watched every second of every game and while LeBron plays physical, he never once “wrapped” someone up on their way to the basket or made a play on an opposing player when they were driving that didn’t involve him going for the basketball.

However, you’ve made it seem as though it was a one-sided affair. Admittedly, the ESPN re-caps and highlights showed nothing but LeBron James getting fouled. But come on, it’s playoff basketball.

The series was physical from Game 1’s tip. Both teams have some animosity for the other.

And let’s not pretend like the trash-talking was purely the Wizards. Did you see last year’s playoff series? If you want to see unnecessary play Gilbert Arenas’ free throw and watch what LeBron does.

Back to the physicality. When a player that gets away with at least two charging fouls on each of his drives comes into the lane, why wouldn’t you be physical?

It sends a message in the same way that dunking sends a message. Why lay it up softly if you can slam it through the net? If you’re going up for a foul, why not put an extra “umph” into it?

The Wizards were playing within the rules of the game. And I’m not endorsing Bad Boys basketball but on the other hand, basketball isn’t ballet.

Hopefully all the rough stuff is out of the way now. The fighting really doesn’t benefit the game any, if you ask me.

Don’t get me wrong. I get that visceral, excited reaction when I see a fight, but overall I would rather go crazy for a three point bomb than risk guys getting hurt and/or tossed out of games and suspended.