Bulls vs. Heat Video: Watch Dwyane Wade's Mindless Flagrant Foul on Rip Hamilton
The Chicago Bulls took on the Miami Heat Thursday night and a playoff-level shoving match broke out.
I would hardly call the game a humdinger, because a 83-72 Heat victory hardly qualifies, but there was certainly some moments to keep fans captivated.
One such display of animosity took place after Rip Hamilton and Dwyane Wade had been exchanging a myriad of chippy moments.
With 9:05 left in the third quarter, Heat star Dwyane Wade felt that he had just about enough of Hamilton and decided to just shove him into the first row.
The outcome was a slap on the hand for both and one big wag of the finger for Wade. The official Twitter feed of the Chicago Bulls reports.
"Double technical called on Rip Hamilton and Dwyane Wade after Wade getting called for a flagrant 1 for shoving Rip.#CHIvsMIA
—Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 20, 2012"
I am not about to say that Wade was thinking before shoving Hamilton, but he definitely wasted one flagrant to send a very clear message that he and the Heat are not above getting physical, and even dirty.
Some will call this egregious while others will cite that it was just hard-nosed basketball. I say it was uncalled for.
Yes, Hamilton comes to get separation, like thousands before him, but Wade didn't have to escalate that to a full-on shove.
Message received though.
The Heat know full well that these could be their opponents in the conference finals, and they came out the bigger stronger team, and one that will not back down from a fight.
Hamilton and the Bulls will have an answer next time, and I can't wait to see it.
