Flopping penalties should be changed

[Ogaju]

If the NBA was really serious about clamping down on flopping every offending flop should be assessed a technical foul (in soccer floppers get carded). If a flop results in the opposing player getting a foul called on him, then the flopper should also be assessed a personal foul. And if the flop was not discovered/confirmed until after the game, the flopper gets the technical (no foul shot) and personal foul assessed at the beginning of the next game he plays in.

That will stop needless flopping. That flop by Wade last night was particularly egregious because he actually faked a hit to his face that did not happen. It resulted in Genobili being sent to the bench and had an obvious impact on the game. Assessing a $5,000.00 fine to Wade is absolutely nothing to him -- probably the cost of one of his suits. It is the cost of doing business to him. He wins a three peat and he gets millions of dollars in endorsements, $5,000.00 is nothing to him.

[hpantazo]

I agree, the system of assigning yellow or red cards to players would be very useful for the NBA. As is, the current penalties don't deter players from flopping unless they are fringe NBA players who can't afford the fine. Some form of penalty that hurts the team's chances of success is much more appropriate considering that the infraction benefits the team's chances of success.

[Celtics4ever]

Trouble the refs just flat out are horrible.   They would find a way to mess this up as well.   They even see stuff on replay and don't reverse cards.   Instant replay exposes them and their mistakes.   Other league have much more competant individuals who don't get personal or favor stars as much.

[greg683x]

this is a good idea, but unfortunately for it to really work the NBA would also have to change it's 'not all rules apply to the stars' policy as well.

[Eja117]

And if maybe they could end flopping in soccer that would be good too.

[Ogaju]

flopping has been drastically reduced since soccer clamped down on floppers.

[SCeltic34]

this is a good idea, but unfortunately for it to really work the NBA would also have to change it's 'not all rules apply to the stars' policy as well.

It's absolutely ludicrous that there's a huge disparity in the way calls are made.  The fact that "rookie calls" - where it's not uncommon for rookies to foul out of games for minor infractions for which stars/superstars get a pass for - is known and basically accepted ("oh, that was just a rookie foul") is ridiculous.  A rule is a rule, a foul is a foul.  Be consistent.  Is it any surprise why NBA officials don't get any respect?

But back to the topic at hand, I completely agree with the OP.  Flopping fines may discourage flopping from players who earn smaller paychecks, but for superstars like Wade it's just a slap on the wrist.  He'd happily trade $5,000, $10,000, or I bet even $50,000 for another ring.

Funniest thing is, Ginobili had the same thing happen where he appeared to get hit in the face toward the end of the game in the exact same fashion as Wade did, didn't get a call, and proceeded to turn the ball over.

[GreenWarrior]

flopping fines shouldn't exist. ultimately a player won't care or will not think about it in the heat of the game. he'll do it out of habit alone. and that is where the problem lies. it's not the officials(though their system of who's responsible for what between the 3 officials on the floor is pretty laughable) that are the direct problem here, they could be better though.

the players need to be disciplined stiffer. something more than a fine because right now the players are all but laughing at a fine and the NBA in the process. the NBA really comes off looking like idiots here because the "fine" shows that they acknowledge it's a problem.

I think suspensions with out pay is the only way to go.

[D.o.s.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbmnhusvWTc

[BudweiserCeltic]

If the refs knew the player flopped, they wouldn't have called foul in the first place.

[Roy H.]

I agree that they need to put more teeth into the rules, and to enforce them more consistently.  I mean, I don't think Lebron was fined for flopping once this season, despite being a notorious flopper.

Another part of this is punishing officials, though.  If an official calls a foul based upon a player's reaction, rather than upon seeing contact, the ref should be fined, as well.

[Kiorrik]

Another part of this is punishing officials, though.  If an official calls a foul based upon a player's reaction, rather than upon seeing contact, the ref should be fined, as well.

Never considered you a dreamer, sir. :]

[slamtheking]

I agree that they need to put more teeth into the rules, and to enforce them more consistently.  I mean, I don't think Lebron was fined for flopping once this season, despite being a notorious flopper.

Another part of this is punishing officials, though.  If an official calls a foul based upon a player's reaction, rather than upon seeing contact, the ref should be fined, as well.

The refs union would fight that tooth and nait -- as justified as that may be.  I actually like it quite a bit but this would require the league to get the officiating crews under their control instead of allowing them to be an outside union.

I like a couple of the ideas here.
- penalize the officials for 'falling' for it and/or not calling obvious cases of it.
- perform post-game reviews and administer penalties in the form of suspensions or starting the next games with personal fouls on those players.  up the fines on players for blatant incidents that impacted the game.   remove officials from the playoff rotations for significant errors during the year-->hit them in the wallet by taking away that extra income.

[pearljammer10]

I agree that they need to put more teeth into the rules, and to enforce them more consistently.  I mean, I don't think Lebron was fined for flopping once this season, despite being a notorious flopper.

Another part of this is punishing officials, though.  If an official calls a foul based upon a player's reaction, rather than upon seeing contact, the ref should be fined, as well.

Again... Completely agree with refs fined for poor calls in such a manner as this.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

You mean, they should actually have flopping penalties ... as opposed to these "fines" that for an NBA player amount to a 25-cent donation.