OT: Should the NBA start suspending players for flopping

[Johnny Bball]

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/demarcus-cousins-says-flopping-is-hurting-the-competitive-spirit-of-basketball/

After the game, however, Cousins' thoughts were not on his statistical prowess, but flopping. That's right, flopping. Late in the fourth quarter, Mason Plumlee tried to draw a foul on Cousins with a pretty egregious flop. The refs even went to review the play after Plumlee fell to the floor, but soon came to the realization that Cousins never made contact with the Nuggets big man.

"It kinda sucks. The competitive spirit of basketball is slowly leaking out. Taking pride in one-on-one defense is slowly leaking out.
"It's more about selling calls and flopping. So you just gotta kinda ignore the B.S. and just play your game."

As the NHL has done, does the NBA need to start suspending players that repeatedly flop. Assume there is no grey area, it was a clear flop, like this was.

[pbj]

Don't know if suspension is necessary yet, but something like a coach's challenge prompting a review with more severe in-game punishment (technical foul for one, ejection for 2?) would go a long way.

[vini_vidi_vici]

Kinda funny seeing Boogie say "Taking pride in one-on-one defense".

[RonaldArtest]

Kinda funny seeing Boogie say "Taking pride in one-on-one defense".

Well the issue with Cousins is that he doesn't always exert full effort on that end. He's known to pick up stupid ticky-tack fouls, and he leaves his feet too often on fakes going for the block. Also gets caught up complaining offensive non-calls with the ref and doesn't get back quickly. But when he's dialed in properly it can be argued that he's an average to maybe above average defender.

[Mister Ze]

If they're gonna suspend repeated floppers how is Lebron ever gonna play?

Spoiler:

[phanman]

I don't like the 1 time then suspension, but a warning then a suspension would definitely curtail the problem.

Or just egregious ones that leave everybody shaking there head... so pretty much all of Marcus Smarts.

[OakleyDokely]

With technical fouls, after you reach a certain amount, you get a 1 game suspension. Do the same with flopping. Once a player is charged with say 3 flops, the 4th flop you get a suspension.

[macNcheese3]

Perhaps they just may have too.

[C_Money]

The problem is the refs. The more these idiots call a foul when somebody flops, the more incentive the players have to do it. It’s the biggest reason flopping is so out of control in soccer.

[hankscorpioLA]

Kinda funny seeing Boogie say "Taking pride in one-on-one defense".

Well the issue with Cousins is that he doesn't always exert full effort on that end. He's known to pick up stupid ticky-tack fouls, and he leaves his feet too often on fakes going for the block. Also gets caught up complaining offensive non-calls with the ref and doesn't get back quickly. But when he's dialed in properly it can be argued that he's an average to maybe above average defender.

I have watched Cousins take multiple full defensive possessions off.

Some where he literally just stops playing.

Sure, the talent is there, but he is absolutely the last guy who should be talking about anyone effort else's D.

[CrookedJ]

Score a point for the refs right?

They called the foul on Plumlee and then reviewed and stuck with that. I guess they have also given him a T but he was already ejected for PF #6

[hankscorpioLA]

How do you define a flop?

If you are going to have a rule and suspensions, you need a clear definition.

And that's where it can get dicey.

[vini_vidi_vici]

Kinda funny seeing Boogie say "Taking pride in one-on-one defense".

Well the issue with Cousins is that he doesn't always exert full effort on that end. He's known to pick up stupid ticky-tack fouls, and he leaves his feet too often on fakes going for the block. Also gets caught up complaining offensive non-calls with the ref and doesn't get back quickly. But when he's dialed in properly it can be argued that he's an average to maybe above average defender.

I have watched Cousins take multiple full defensive possessions off.

Some where he literally just stops playing.

Sure, the talent is there, but he is absolutely the last guy who should be talking about anyone effort else's D.

Yea I dont know how anyone can argue he has been "above average". We could make tonnes of clips of almost anyone and make them look good. My personal fav Boogie defensive lapse....

Watch on YouTube

[SHFT]

implement a 3 strike rule....1 flop = fine. 2nd flop = bigger fine. 3rd flop = 1 game suspension. That way it can be looked at after the fact and doesn't change the flow in the game itself.

Boogie is right it is getting out of hand, the NBA needs to nip this real quick before it becomes a major problem.


If the refs are going to review flops (not sure what the parameter was of the ref reviewing Boogie's play with Plumlee) , the player doing the flopping should also be assessed with a personal foul maybe a delay of game warning too.


man I hate flopping lol.

[SHFT]

How do you define a flop?

If you are going to have a rule and suspensions, you need a clear definition.

And that's where it can get dicey.

That is a good point. I think anytime the defending player physically reacts in a way that is unreasonable based on the contact OR when no contact is made at all would be a good start.


OR what they can do is soften up the touch fouls a bit and then flopping becomes useless.

[hankscorpioLA]

How do you define a flop?

If you are going to have a rule and suspensions, you need a clear definition.

And that's where it can get dicey.

That is a good point. I think anytime the defending player physically reacts in a way that is unreasonable based on the contact OR when no contact is made at all would be a good start.


OR what they can do is soften up the touch fouls a bit and then flopping becomes useless.

Define "unreasonable."

How about this?

"Anytime a player deliberately exaggerates or embellishes their movements on the court in order to generate a foul call."

The way I see it, flopping is essentially non-sportsmanlike conduct that warrants a technical foul. I would allow such fouls to be called retroactively after post-game review so that flops that were missed during the game can still count towards the 16 total that triggers a one game suspension.

[SHFT]

How do you define a flop?

If you are going to have a rule and suspensions, you need a clear definition.

And that's where it can get dicey.

That is a good point. I think anytime the defending player physically reacts in a way that is unreasonable based on the contact OR when no contact is made at all would be a good start.


OR what they can do is soften up the touch fouls a bit and then flopping becomes useless.

[Duffman100]

Hard to take Cousins seriously with how much he flops.

But yeah, I've been asking for an to flopping for as long as I can remember. Problem is that would negatively impact Demar, Lowry, JV...

[Johnny Bball]

How do you define a flop?

If you are going to have a rule and suspensions, you need a clear definition.

And that's where it can get dicey.

I think you go with examples, and in this one it’s pretty clear he doesn’t touch him. You’re not getting rid of everything that’s for sure, just those that are embarrassingly bad.

Absolutely this should be based on review of calls after the play happened or after the game.

[Tofubeque]

If they're gonna suspend repeated floppers how is Lebron ever gonna play?

Spoiler:

The glancing behind him before he staggers backwards kills me every time