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NBA
NBA

NBA won't flip flop on flopping

Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports
  • League office to keep track via video
  • Penalties include fines and possible suspension
  • Video can be used on flagrant fouls

WASHINGTON -- Flopping, the time-honored practice of an athlete falling down or flailing wildly in order to fool a referee official, will be watched closely in the NBA this season -- and not just by fans who have expressed their displeasure with the act but also the NBA front-office, which pushed for anti-flopping rules and has now implemented flopping penalties for the 2012-13 season.

Phoenix center Marcin Gortat, left, could be subject to a fine if this move last season against  Washington center JaVale McGee is considered a flop.

There are two factors to consider when watching NBA games in regards to the flop this season:

-- It is not the referees' responsibility to determine if a player flopped or did not flop. Executive vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson and his staff will determine flopping violations after game using video review.

-- The key phrase to remember when deciding if a player flopped or did not is "grossly embellished." In a video of what constitutes a flop at www.nba.com/official, the narrator describes several flopping examples using language such as: "The level of contact on the play is inconsistent with the grossly embellished fall to the floor." If the reaction is not "grossly embellished," a violation is unlikely.

Violators will receive fines: During the regular season, the steps will be warning for the first violation, $5,000 fine for the second, $10,000 fine for third, $15,000 fine for the fourth and $30,000 fine for the fifth violation. Six or more violations and the player will be subject to increased fines and/or a suspension.

Washington Wizards players and coaches met with officials Thursday to review flopping, rules changes and other points of emphasis for players and referees.

"You've got to evolve with it," veteran Wizards forward Brian Cook said. "There's something new every year. This is my 10th season, and there are little tweaks every year."

Wizards coach Randy Wittman called the points of emphasis "Basketball 101" just as Dr. James Naismith intended the game to be played.

Some tweaks are bigger than others, and Naismith didn't have the benefit of video review.

The National Basketball Players Association said last week it will file a grievance with the league and an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board challenging the new anti-flopping rule.

"The NBA is not permitted to unilaterally impose new economic discipline against the players without first bargaining with the union," NBPA Executive Director Billy Hunter said in a statement.

However, NBA spokesman Tim Frank said "our adoption of an anti-flopping rule is fully consistent with our rights and obligations under the collective bargaining agreement and the law."

There are other rule changes for the 2012-13 season, especially in regard to use of in-game video review.

-- Replay will be used to determine if a defender was inside or outside the restricted area on a block/charge call in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and in overtime. The review must take place immediately after the call.

-- Goaltending/basket interference can be reviewed if officiating crew is uncertain in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and in overtime. However, a review will only take place if a violation had been called, and again, the review must take place right after the call.

-- When flagrant fouls are called, video will be used to determine the severity -- flagrant foul 1, flagrant foul 2, regular foul or technical foul. Last season, video was used to determine if it was a flagrant 1 or flagrant 2.

Other points of emphasis for referees and players: illegal screens; giving offensive players freedom of movement; blocks and charges; traveling, contact on shooters and contact initiated by shooters; and respect for the game rules will receive closer attention. Respect for the game rules are intended to limit players' verbal and non-verbal complaints directed at referees.

Incidentally, the union threatened to file a grievance over the respect for the game rules at the start of the 2010-11 season because of the high number of technical fouls called on players for too much complaining.

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