04/27/24
July 05, 2023
NBA to test in-game flopping penalty at summer league: A flop, which will be determined by referees at the game, will be penalized by awarding the opposing team one free throw. The player who commits the flop will be assessed a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul, which won't count toward personal fouls or lead to an ejection.
Officials won't be required to stop live play to call a flopping violation.
posted by NoMich to basketball at 04:58 PM - 6 comments
But the play doesn't stop. The flopper flops onto the court, play continues, Steph buries the 3, then the flop is called. One free throw for Steph, so make that 4 points, then they get to inbound the ball where Steph buries another 3. In the span of 5 game seconds, the Warriors just scored 7 points because LeBron decided to make it look like that li'l Steph Curry, with the ball, could truck a large NFL tight end like the body sizes were switched.
posted by NoMich at 09:03 AM on July 06, 2023
I like the idea of trying to take on some of the most egregious flopping in the same way they have addressed the excessive Harden-esque foul-baiting. That said, this sure does seem to throw an awful lot of additional game-swaying power in the hands of the officials...right as Pro Sports in the US is being overrun by gambling.
/MavsFanWhoWillNeverForgetDonaghy
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:22 AM on July 06, 2023
Placing the decision on flop or not flop in the hands of the officials opens league wide integrity to unwanted scrutiny. Since no stoppage of play is involved, I suggest that a panel of 3 judges be employed. They will sit at courtside, and at the next neutral opportunity they will render their judgment in the form of numbered cards held aloft. The severity of the flop will be determined by the scores rendered, with the high scores indicating a more severe flop. A certain baseline total score will determine whether or not the free throw is granted. Since this method of judging works so well in the slam dunk contest, it is the natural solution for flopping.
posted by Howard_T at 02:54 PM on July 06, 2023
If you want to stop flopping in the NBA, you have to put power of those calls in the refs' hands. No other way to do this. If you are OK with flopping, then just keep doing what's happening now. Is it really that much of an issue right now?
posted by NoMich at 10:56 AM on July 07, 2023
I don't recall noticing an uptick this season, but I can't say I've been keeping a keen eye out for it either. If anything, I think the coach's challenge rule has helped reverse many of the most flagrant attempts at (all kinds of) baiting and the proposed expansion to a 2nd challenge if the first is successful is great idea, imo.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:51 PM on July 07, 2023
Some flops are so ridiculous that one free throw doesn't seem like enough.