Fines will be imposed for clear cases of flopping

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Yes, but you can't have it both ways. Unless you have robots as the officials, these kind of plays are always going to be judgment calls.

This isn't going to change the outcome of any game. If a player flops so much that he's worried about it affecting his pocketbook, perhaps he should learn how to play some actual defense.

You're right, it is a judgement call. That's a part of every game. My concern is that they are bringing in yet another layer of judgement calls into the mix. One that, if applied more harshly to some players than others (as is inevitable), will make the league look more and more rigged. In the age of DVR and youtube I think they are opening themselves up to a big problem. For every fine they hand down, some homer with too much time on his hands will probably be able to find ten instances in game film that are overlooked.

If they want to cut down on flopping they need to take a long look at what offensive players are doing these days as well. IMO flopping has become more prevalent because defenders are left with little legal means of combatting the off arm clear outs and moving screens that happen practically every possession.

[LakerLanny]

and who are you to be awarding poster on a Spurs board suck up?

I am a legendary Laker poster and probably the most knowledgeable guy on basketball here.

How can you not already know who LakerLanny is?

[pad300]

The real question is are teams going to try and use this as a strategic weapon? Are they going to start sending tapes into the league office showing flops to be reviewed, or is it just the league itself doing the reviewing. There are going to be a LOT of fines if teams start sending in tapes; because everybody flops especially superstars. Also, who's definition of flop are they going to use? Does Kobe's (for example, he's not the only one) scream upon minimal contact (the "verbal" flop) count? Or do you actually have to fall down/start acting?

[Spurminator]

Think of the five worst flops you've seen in the last three years and those are the ones that will be fined.

[Cry Havoc]

If they want to cut down on flopping they need to take a long look at what offensive players are doing these days as well. IMO flopping has become more prevalent because defenders are left with little legal means of combatting the off arm clear outs and moving screens that happen practically every possession.

Agreed. Offensive players are given WAY too much leniency with what cons utes controlled contact. Basketball should not dissolve into "If you can run over the guy because he's out of position, do so because you'll get the call".

Perhaps if the flopping is a little less though, it will remove the ability of an official to say, "I didn't call an offensive foul because it looked like a flop." Or at least think it in their minds.

Something has to be done though. Since Shaq's arrival into the league, scorers are given the leeway to do whatever they want, and as long as they don't extend a forearm or their defender isn't set, they get the call every time. I doubt that it's Shaq's fault as much as the league wanting to up the scoring in the NBA, but offenses don't flow as smoothly when they're looking to create contact instead of move the ball and score.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

I am a legendary Laker poster and probably the most knowledgeable guy on basketball here.

How can you not already know who LakerLanny is?

If by "legendary" you mean "no-life-having one-trick-pony hardheaded" and by "knowledgeable" you mean "borderline paranoid schizophrenic", then I agree.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

IMO flopping has become more prevalent because defenders are left with little legal means of combatting the off arm clear outs and moving screens that happen practically every possession.

Not only that, but there is an offensive equivalent of flopping, which no one seems to care about. It is the one practiced by Kobe Bryant ad nauseum. It consists of leaning in, flinging yourself at the defendant and sort of the basket, flinging the ball upwards as if you'd been shot in midair, then cursing at the ref if he doesn't blow the whistle.

Why isn't THAT being fined? That's not basketball. It's just begging for free throws.

[Zero Point Four]

Not only that, but there is an offensive equivalent of flopping, which no one seems to care about. It is the one practiced by Kobe Bryant ad nauseum. It consists of leaning in, flinging yourself at the defendant and sort of the basket, flinging the ball upwards as if you'd been shot in midair, then cursing at the ref if he doesn't blow the whistle.

Why isn't THAT being fined? That's not basketball. It's just begging for free throws.

That actually is a good point.

But it is what Barry could have done if he'd wanted to get the call.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

That actually is a good point.

But it is what Barry could have done if he'd wanted to get the call.

Thanks!

Yes that is in the same ballpark as what Barry could have done, but a bit different. It's the offensive ploy where you ball-fake the defender and get him up in the air, then go up and make contact while shooting. IMO this is usually a legit offensive play, because the defender is generally not jumping straight up, so the principle of verticality does not apply.

If the defender does jump straight up, and the offensive player jumps into him, it should be an offensive foul. But, usually, they no-call it.

That is not what Fisher did -- he was flying sideways through the air and was wide open for a shooting foul to be called on him, if Barry had just attempted a shot.