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I haven't yet heard from anyone who does not think LeBron James was fouled on that last play. And ordinarily I'd respond with the idea that in the playoffs it's just wrong to expect referees to make game-changing calls when they so frequently "let them play" in big moments. But then people always come back with the way Dwyane Wade was treated in the playoffs last year, and the whole thing just gets ugly from there.

(UPDATE: Remember when I said nobody was piping up for the referees? Email from TrueHoop reader Chris: "Well, now you have. The no-call was completely consistent with how they'd been calling the game all night, and moreover, is how the NBA should be calling more games. No more Ticky-tack fouls for the superstars. The Nowitzki/Wade call from last year is a good example of how not to call a game.")

More than anything, I'm just sad Larry Hughes didn't nail that little jumper. The Cavaliers battled hard and seem well suited to making this Detroit team worry, just a little.

And, push-off or no, great shot by Rasheed Wallace, huh? Always love it when he wants the ball.

Now, about those referees. The Cavaliers, post-game, took the high road, which I respect. It may not be the smart short-term strategy, but there is way too much complaining in the NBA, and to get part of one night off is refreshing. (People always want to know how they can make the world a better place. Less complaining might become my new number one suggestion. The only downside: I complain too.) Plus, Coach Mike Brown made his point clear on the sidelines.

TrueHoop reader Michael's comment typifies several in my in-box:

Not only was it terribly incorrect, it was late enough that it literally ran out the clock for the Pistons.

There's no excuse for officiating like that. Do you know if there's any possible recourse for that game on the refs? (I'm not talking changing the outcome, I'm talking suspensions). And why is LeBron getting whipped up and down the court, with no fouls called?

Some suggest, in addition, that James was hit in the head. Hard to tell on my TV, but if true certainly something to call. (UPDATE: You can see it here, wait for the slow-motion replay, it comes when James has his back to the basket. You can also see James on the sideline rubbing the back of his head like you do when you're feeling for a wound. Another angle.)

ESPN's Chris Sheridan is positive LeBron James was fouled by Rip Hamilton on that final drive (also, look at the photo on Sheridan's Daily Dime piece linked above, looks like Rasheed Wallace might be shoving Hamilton into James):

The non-call was so egregious, I'd expect Jimmy Clark, Bernie Fryer and Mark Wunderlich to be told by the league office that they can watch the rest of the playoffs from Joey Crawford's man cave, since they don't deserve to be working at this stage of the postseason if they're too scared to call a foul on the biggest play of the game. But I'm not sure whether those three referees will be taking calls from the league office on Friday, since all three must be scheduled for surgery to have the whistles they swallowed removed from their stomachs.

Brian Windhorst of the Akron Beacon-Journal thought James was fouled, but also doesn't think it's worth whining about much:

There is really no use talking about those calls at the end. It did appear to me that LeBron James was fouled but he also was searching and looking for a foul there. If Andy Varejao flopped on Rasheed Wallace, it looked convincing to me but I understand why he didn't get the call. Sheed still made a completely amazing shot there with LeBron right in his face. He earned it. Plus some calls went the Cavs way, especially the goaltending on Antonio McDyess with 2:30 left.

Good photoshop of LeBron James really steamed. (UPDATE: Link not working for you? Go here and scroll down.) From the Futon Report, via Brian Windhorst.

UPDATE: Email from Chris:

Here's my question for Cavs fans: down by one in the final minute of an away game in a hostile arena, would you rather have (A) LeBron shooting two free throws, or (B) three players take shots within 10 feet?