The flagrant-one and flagrant-two fouls are close relatives. Both provide the victim’s team with two free throws and the ball. A harsh penalty for a devastating crime. The distinction between them, an extremely thin line, has the ability to decide games over a flash of contact in one of the fastest sports on earth. It should not be this way.
On Sunday Isaiah Thomas was ejected with just over two minutes left in a game at Miami. He was being defended closely in the corner, began rotating his arms to protect the ball and ended up elbowing Justice Winslow in a vicious blow that left blood pouring out of a hole in his cheek.