h/t UPI
Flopping has become one most controversial topics in the NBA since 2012 when the NBA began fining players for flopping. The NBA’s official rulebook defines flopping as any physical act that appears to have been intended to cause the referees to call a foul on another player. The reason why the rule was implemented was that players had become increasingly inept at duping referees into blowing their whistles by exaggerating contact. But the fines have not yet quelled the flopping issue and it is pathetic and has taken away from the integrity of the game.
NBA players are using their athletic prowess and amateur acting skills to manipulate referees into calling fouls where there is little or no contact. In the blink of an eye, referees have to make knee-jerk reactions to either make a call or not make a call. More often than not referees, make the right call and are consistent when making calls. And that right there, consistency, is one reason why players continue to flop.
Referees make adjustments for every game and for every team because no two teams play at the same pace and no two players have the same repertoire of moves. As a whole, referees remain consistent in the calls the make. Because referees strive to be consistent, players are able to manipulate the referees by simply figuring out what the referees will let them get away with when it comes to foul calls. Players, specifically the ‘superstars’ of the NBA, will manipulate the referees into making fouls calls that look like the same fouls they have been calling but in reality the player has hoodwinked the referees. I know what you are thinking. ‘Well if the player can get away with it why should he be penalized?’
In the defense of the players, it is not totally their fault that the referees are vulnerable to manipulation as they are human beings just as we are. But I do blame players to a certain extent for taking advantage of the referees. A basketball player’s goal is to put the ball in the basket and to stop their opponents from doing the same. A referees purpose on the court is to hold up the integrity of the game by enforcing the rules. It is that simple. Players should not be looking to manipulate the referees to gain an advantage. But players do and in return certain, the players who play the referees get preferred treatment from them.
The 2016 NBA Playoffs has already had a bunch of controversy in regards to foul calls. The Warriors Draymond Green delivered a swift leg kick to the groin of the Thunder’s Steven Adams after Green drove into the lane and Adams contested his layup. Looking at his objectively, Green got into the body of Adams, exaggerated the move he made to the bucket and ended up kicking Adams. I do not think Green intentionally kicked Adams but I do believe Green flopped. An unusual flop, but a flop nonetheless and incidents like this need to be ridded from the game.
#NeverFlop
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