This is a simple question. Since when did the playoffs mean that basketball is no longer the sport being played?

I've heard from many analysts, bloggers, paid journalists, and idiots on the internet that players need to play tougher in the playoffs and stop complaining about a lack of calls. So, my question to you it, why?

Don't get me wrong. The playoffs are about grit, determination, and zeal. But why do people stress the fact that refs should not call fouls? It makes no sense. Fouls are a part of basketball. Just because we're in the playoffs, it does not mean the rules of basketball need to be thrown out and defenders allowed to mug opposing players. It just makes no sense. Tougher, playoff basketball? Yes. Call less fouls? No.

I just don't get it. A foul is a foul. I don't care if it is pre-season in a church league game, or the 4th quarter of the NBA finals. If a guy gets bodied up and hit, and the same call was made a month ago in the regular season, it makes no sense to not call it now. Grow some balls refs. I'm tired of home-court referees. Learn to make a call when needed. If you're not getting booed, you're not doing your job.

Now, as always,

GO MAVS!

PS: This is not a direct reaction to the Mavs game tonight vs. Portland. Sure they're missed a looot of calls, but we got a lot our way that we shouldn't have in games 1 and 2. So this is partially a Mavericks thread, but mainly its just for all NBA playoffs.