FanPost

Whatever happened to the Flop Rules?



I thought the NBA had decided to crack down on flopping. Has anyone heard of any warnings or fines in the playoffs this year? The Spurs employed the flop very effectively so far in the first round with no apparent repercussions.

Splitter, Diaw, Parker, Mills and Ginobille were blatantly flopping their way to the free throw line. I am not crying sour grapes, but flopping is really a blight on the game. A flop is like a four point play, often reversing a good play in favor of a flopper who is usually in a bad position and chooses the flop as his "out".

I would love to see the league employ a challenge rule for flopping. Each coach could get one challenge per half. If the coach wins a challenge, fouls are reversed. The flopping player gets assessed a foul and the victim of the flop shoots two shots. If a coach wins his challenge, he gets another during the half. The challenge would have to take place before the flopper shoots free throws or before the flopping team inbounds the ball.

I don't think this rule would slow down the game much. In addition, I think it would quickly reduce blatant flops. It would be most effective on the phantom flop where there was absolutely no contact and a player sprawls wildly.

Reader submitted. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of our editorial staff.