The "Duke-ization" of the NBA

[Keepin' it real]

Wilbon talked about this on PTI yesterday. He was upset about all the offensive foul calls and flopping in the NBA. He called it the "Duke-ization" of the NBA. (I know some of you blame the Euro players for the flopping epidemic... that's fine, nevertheless ...)

As we all know, Duke made flopping an art form. Their players are usually physically inferior to their compe ion, so instead of playing sound defense, they just run to a spot on the court where they think the offensive player will run to, and they fall over when the opponent makes contact with them, and they usually get the calls from the refs.

Like Wilbon, I also hate all the offensive foul calls. I think the NBA should change its philosophy on block/charge calls:

1. The default call should be a block.
2. If in doubt, and the contact is minor, it's a no call.
3. Only OBVIOUS TRAMPLING of the defensive player should warrant an offensive foul.
4. Suspected flopping should get a delay of game warning for the first offense, followed by a technical foul for each flop thereafter.

Imagine the monumental decrease in flops if the NBA adopted this approach. And if the NCAA adopted this same philosophy, Duke would never win another ACC le.

[Samuel Eto'o]

DoG with the goods

[Keepin' it real]

Penalizing flopping in-game would never work. I would rather the NBA offices review flops and penalize players accordingly. I wouldn't mind a 3 strikes policy where a player is suspended a game after 3 confirmed flops.

That's arguable, but even if it's true, that's just one of the four changes I mentioned. The other three are all doable.