This is not an instance of coaches and players whining about borderline calls: the hits against Dwight in question are clearly hits designed to take him out. Although Randolph got called for a flagrant foul, Nocioni got away with dragging Howard down with only a personal. At which point will the league office listen to the Magic’s complaints—Denton mentions that Otis Smith has called several times to complain—and begin punishing teams for their thuggery?

If LeBron James faced the nightly beating Dwight does, you can be sure flagrants would be called and fines would be assessed. This isn’t Marcin Gortat getting pummeled every night. This is Dwight Howard, a superstar, Olympian, and perennial All-Star. Should he not get the benefit of the doubt when he’s intentionally thrown to the floor?