So maybe this is why James Harden is holding out for a max contract.
The league officially announced its anti-flopping policy today, punishing players following a video review after the game with fines.
“Flops have no place in our game – they either fool referees into calling undeserved fouls or fool fans into thinking the referees missed a foul call,” executive VP of basketball ops Stu Jackson said. “Accordingly, both the Board of Governors and the Competition Committee felt strongly that any player who the league determines, following video review, to have committed a flop should – after a warning – be given an automatic penalty.”
Here’s how the league defines it: “Any physical act that appears to have been intended to cause the referees to call a foul on another player. The primary factor in determining whether a player committed a flop is whether his physical reaction to contact with another player is inconsistent with what would reasonably be expected given the force or direction of the contact.”
There’s this qualifier too: “Physical acts that constitute legitimate basketball plays (such as moving to a spot in order to draw an offensive foul) and minor physical reactions to contact will not be treated as flops.” Essentially you could call that the Nick Collison Clause.
The penalties shake out as such:
- Violation 1: Warning
- Violation 2: $5,000 fine
- Violation 3: $10,000 fine
- Violation 4: $15,000 fine
- Violation 5: $30,000 fine
A sixth violation will result in a punishment “that is reasonable under the circumstances” including an increased fine or even a suspension.
Some have asked already if Kevin Durant’s “rip move” would fall under the flop criteria. I don’t think so. The league already installed a rule last season to make it a non-shooting foul, but the play includes real contact and isn’t a simulation of a foul. A rake across the arms is a foul.
The league will likely enforce the rules fairly conservatively, taking a “know it when you see it” mentality. We all know what a flop looks like. Taking a legit charge or trying to draw a foul in the paint aren’t flops. Those are basketball plays. Sprawling out at midcourt after a minor bump or throwing your head back when someone backs you down, those are flops.
I asked Collison at media if he felt like taking a charge was a flop. His answer: “It depends man, some of those you get hit pretty hard. Others, not as hard. I’m definitely curious to hear what they’re going to say because that does equate to some of the things I do on the court for sure.”
I agree with Tom Haberstroh of ESPN.com though. The biggest deterrent here isn’t the money, because those are mostly pennies to the majority of players. It’s if you get hit with a fine, it means you’re labeled as a flopper, something that’s kind of a scarlet letter in the league.
It’s already become a blemish on Harden’s profile. He’s a beautifully technical, fundamental player. Except he simulates contact. There are more egregious offenders in the league, but here’s the thing about flopping: Why stop if it works? If you can pick up a foul on a guy, get to the penalty or go to the free throw line, why not do it? Now that the league has made it obvious that they are watching, maybe players will chill with faking fouls.
A separate set of penalties will be announced for flopping in the playoffs at a later time.
Best flopping picture in the history of the world?
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/39462236/
Almost rivals the Greg Paulus takes-a-charge-when-no-one-touches-him
http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/10/practice-report-backup-point-guard-is-up-for-grabs/
@ou_sas Time to leave until OKCbaby's inevitable rant is over
@FreeFezzyFel @ou_sas Rants are usually bogus. Iam right
Lot of rumors going around that Reggie could be backup plan for Harden
@OkcBaby so in front of cook then?
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@MisterJohnsonOKC thats believable
Not really considering Perry in the backup Center position.
Hes more of a Forward
@OkcBaby I agree right now. I'd like to see him bulk up and be able to play there in a few years though
@FreeFezzyFel @OkcBaby til they get Festus
@FreeFezzyFel Me 2. He is taller on paper then the other guys
What's the point, they still ain't gonna call shit on Lebron James. They should also start fining people for traveling, when they don't notice in during the game. They should review the game for traveling not called and Lebron will have to give up most of his money...
@thelaughingwiseman I disagree because you aren't generally trying to deceive the refs like flopping. It is usually just in the flow of the game and you happen to take that extra step. Flopping has the deliberate intention of trying to get someone to get into trouble.
IMO
Don't even get me started on Lebron's elbows in the paint...
is this backup point guard battle real? is there any chance that maynor isn't the 2nd PG on opening night?
@OBoymuzik 3rd string SG may be more of a battle.
@Crow and backup C, just wondering cause brooks has brought it up the last 2 days
@OBoymuzik Center battle judged by team defense, rebounding, then passing or scoring. Who stands out superior where?
@OBoymuzik Collison went from about 75% at center in 2010-11 to 40% last season. Does he stay at around 40% this season or continue to drop to 20-30%?
@OBoymuzik they set up a backup C battle so they better go thru with it.
@OBoymuzik hahahaha
@OkcBaby Thunder coach Scott Brooks says the backup PG spot is open. "We have two great choices,"
@FreeFezzyFel @OkcBaby @OBoymuzik http://bkref.com/tiny/i24vR
3 player comparison in first season. some similarities, some big differences.
@OkcBaby I was serious because brooks has brought it up 2 days in a row. not because i think reggie is better than maynor. although making you mad is quite fun.
@Crow @OkcBaby @OBoymuzik He was definitely improving before we picked up Fish
@FreeFezzyFel @OkcBaby @OBoymuzik He should be ready to go 110% and fight.
@FreeFezzyFel @OkcBaby @OBoymuzik Jackson had 4 good games in early Feb. then his minutes went back down after the All+star game. He had 2 more good games after but I guess not enough results or enough opportunity.
@Crow @OkcBaby @OBoymuzik For better or worse, I think we'll see an aggressive Reggie this year.
@FreeFezzyFel @OkcBaby @OBoymuzik if he is still tentative and just trying to fit in, it probably won't work.
@FreeFezzyFel @OkcBaby @OBoymuzik Or post Maynor and hit.
@FreeFezzyFel @OkcBaby @OBoymuzik Or go off on a 3 pt blitz to win a scrimmage. Or throw some good lobs.
@FreeFezzyFel @OkcBaby @OBoymuzik Jackson needs to throw down on Russell or Serge and then come back and stuff Russ or pick his pocket.
@FreeFezzyFel @OkcBaby @OBoymuzik could be better than either of those.
@Crow @OkcBaby @OBoymuzik I don't think he'll reach much of his ceiling here unless Maynor leaves next year (which I'm pretty sure he will). I'd love to see him play like Bledsoe or Bradley
@OkcBaby @OBoymuzik Jackson might blossom if given 20+ minutes a game for 20-30 games. He might not if he never gets that in OKC.
@OkcBaby @OBoymuzik Would any GM offer a first round pick expected to be better than the 20th pick for Reggie, soon? If they do, do you take it? Presti probably declines but I am not sure if he should.
@Crow @OBoymuzik Yet got bumped by Fisher. Sat at the end of the bench
@OBoymuzik @OkcBaby he was barely above Maynor's 2010-11 rate last season.
@OBoymuzik @OkcBaby triple it and he is at Westbrook's level on that.
@Crow @OBoymuzik What is he going to say. Sorry Reggie your not as good as Maynor.
@OBoymuzik Oh you were serious. thought it was a joke
@OBoymuzik @OkcBaby needs to double or triple his FTA per minute rate.
@OBoymuzik @OkcBaby For Reggie to win, he will have to start hitting from 3 or driving well or both. And it still might not be enough.
@OBoymuzik Doubt it, assuming no injuries
Perry Jones' final college season:
5 of 33 games with 20+ pts
12 with less than 10 pts
only 1 of the last 17 was over 20 pts.
@Crow I bet he would've had significantly better numbers in a more traditional offense. Baylor is....well, Baylor ain't traditional.
@Tronchaser That is what I hear. Bad system, bad coaching, bad teammates.
@Legendary_Dork @OBoymuzik @f5alcon the trade deadline could be interesting. Presti evaluates not only the team but the progress of the leading contenders. Maybe trade Perk back to Boston? I'd be open to it.
@Legendary_Dork @OBoymuzik @f5alcon the collison lineups worked well
@Crow @OBoymuzik @f5alcon very true on the rebounding.
im starting to think secretly that they hope either cole, thabeet, or even orton can blossom into a legit or decent center so they can amnesty perk and keep harden. thats just what i think. Harden is much harder to replace than ol perk. dont get me wrong, i like perk, hes a great guy, hes got gruff and attitude.
@Crow @OBoymuzik @f5alcon i think playing smaller would of DEF helped us against teams like the heat whom have no center.
@Legendary_Dork @OBoymuzik @f5alcon unless the rebounding gets even worse.
@Legendary_Dork @OBoymuzik @f5alcon yeah, unless they go smaller more often. which they might.
@Crow @OBoymuzik @f5alcon if hollis can hit 3's wouldnt he basically be taking DC's mins?
@OBoymuzik @f5alcon Jones as an NBA PF? Got to see it. He will need confidence to do that well. Playing against KD is not really the test for this. Serge might be a test but he isn't the typical PF either. Let Collison bang on him some. Heck, pit him against Orton a few times.
@OBoymuzik @f5alcon Either Harden continues to get Durant's backup SF minutes or Perry will or maybe Hollis. It could be Thabo or Liggins too but I doubt it.
@Crow @f5alcon i think Presti and even Kd might put some pressure on Brooks to play him
@f5alcon I think Presti may want him to play earlier and more. But we will see.
@Tronchaser @f5alcon Wonder how hard his agent pushes him. I am just guessing here but it does not sound like his family pushed him as hard as you often see with these guys.
@Crow I think brooks will not play him much at least until mid season, he has a thing about rookies earning their minutes. Probably will run our playoff rotation except with maynor instead of fisher.
@TaoMaas I did briefly. The main stats seemed to have a similar pattern.
@Tronchaser @f5alcon Wonder how quick he blossoms and if the Thunder push it to the max or let it go real slow or in between.
@Crow Check his freshman year, Crow. Those ought to be better.
@f5alcon @Tronchaser Oh I am pretty positive and optimistic on him. But thought I'd check his game stats, because the thought to do so came to me.
@Tronchaser @Crow and when I saw a lot I mean every player on the team.
@Tronchaser @Crow Baylor also had a lot of guys who wanted to take every shot.
@f5alcon @Crow PJIII just seems like a "Presti" guy. Talented, unassuming, hardworking, etc. etc.
@Tronchaser @Crow I trust presti saw enough to risk him, and he is getting praise from everybody
@Crow /shrug He's an unknown for sure. But man, do I like him!
11 games with 10+ rebs
10 with 5 or less
22 of 33 games with 1 assist or none
@Crow I'd hope so, too.
Maybe not immediately. Might take some failures on the court to show him that. Great way for a young player to learn a lesson.
@Jooseppi He better. I think that will be his main weapon.
@FreeFezzyFel I doubt they ever double him. I said double (somebody else) off him.
Maybe if he plays SF against a 6-7 guy and goes to the post they might think of doubling him... if he makes 3 quick buckets.
@Crow Will he even want to drive?
@Crow I hope they double him, it'll leave one of the big three open
This will be pretty key. If he can hit 30+% then he should be able to drive too. If he can't, guys will play off him and double off him at times late in the clock.
Most NCAA 3s made? 2. Most attempted? 4.
Can he hit the NBA 3?
Good news: 19 of 33 games with 50+ FG%. 8 at 33% or below.