Fans and analysts have reacted to the apparent missed foul by referee Tom Washington.
While LeBron James defended Kevin Durant, with the score 98-96, Washington missed LeBron's left hand hooking around Durant's right arm as nine seconds were left in the game.
In the press conference right after the game, Durant looked very upset. A face that went way beyond his typical game face.
When asked about getting fouled on the play he said he had an open look and could have made the shot, making no reference to referee Tom Washington.
Durant said the right thing in the press conference. He was fouled, but he continued the play and almost scored the tying bucket.
Nowadays, a lot of players are forgetting to finish because they are so caught up trying to draw fouls. It is a great strategy, you get fouls on the opposing players and they are forced to leave the floor.
Players have to remember that the objective of the game is not who draws more fouls, but who scores the most points.
The sad thing about this foul is that it took place in the fourth quarter. The referee did not have the right angle and could not see the contact.
Had the referees made all the calls in this one, the complaint would have been, "Oh, why are the refs not letting them play?"
Players are also getting emotional and they are not calling technical fouls.
We have the pleasure of seeing the NBA's best half-court blocker in Serge Ibaka and the best transition blocker, LeBron James. The last thing the Finals need is referees on a tight foul-calling agenda.
If Durant can live with the foul not being called after the game is over, then fans and critics should simply swallow this one. The refs will adjust and hear it from league officials.
