It would be tough to argue that the new flopping rule the NBA has put into place for the upcoming season won’t benefit the game in some way. Any type of fine is going to discourage players from doing something on some level, so it certainly can’t make the situation any worse. Flopping has become a league-wide epidemic, and those who are found guilty of it from now on will be fined up to $30,000.
Dirk Nowtizki does not think this will work.
“I never looked at myself as a big flopper,” Nowitzki said Thursday according to the Dallas Morning News. “If you play me physical then, obviously, I’ve got to sell the call and get to the (free throw) line. That’s just part of the game. We’ll have to see how they enforce that.
“I think it’s a bunch of crap to be honest with you. Are they going to come back after a game and fine you for flopping? That’s tough to do to me.”
Yes, that’s exactly what they’re going to do. They do it with upgrading or downgrading flagrant fouls, so flopping will be no different. While I don’t agree with Dirk that it will be difficult to go back and review the tapes to enforce the rule, I do agree that it may not be effective.
As I mentioned before, what’s $30,000 to some of these players? If $30,000 is what it takes to put your team at the foul line and give them a chance to win with 10 seconds left in the game, I’m sure most players are willing to pay it.
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