Flopping is an uncompetitive maneuver when a player acts like he was fouled after having almost no physical contact with the opponent. Flops are common in soccer but the NBA has also a fair share of them. Players are making a spectacle of how badly they were punched or injured and they are intentionally throwing themselves on the court floor to make it look more realistic.
Nowadays, with the games being recorded from every corner, it may seem extremely easy to spot a flop, but it’s far from the truth. Some of the floppers perfected their strategies in such a way that they never got caught! It’s a shame because flopping is taking away from both the quality and fairness of the game. The entertainment value deteriorates when a player can stop the action whenever they feel like it.
Who started flopping in the NBA?
The first mentions of flopping are attributed to Boston Celtics champion Frank Ramsey, who naively wrote for Sports Illustrated about his flopping techniques in 1963. It didn’t go well with the rest of the NBA and he was heavily criticized by the NBA’s administration.
Flopping was present in the NBA before the 90s, but it wasn’t a very prevalent feature of basketball games. Since there is no data to prove if the players were actually injured and fouled before, the popularization of flopping is assigned to Bill Laimbeer.
Bill Laimbeer was a player for the Detroit Pistons in the Bad Boys Era. His gameplay was extremely brutal, Piston games resembled more bar fights than an actual sport. It’s quite ironic that such an aggressive player would simulate an injury but Laimbeer made NBA history due to his outrageous flops.
Are free throws awarded after flopping?
The ultimate goal of flopping is for the referee to call a foul on another player. After the referee is fooled and a foul is called, the flopper can achieve a free throw or simply stop the action when it’s getting too hot.
The National Basketball Association added a rule in 1997 to discourage flopping near the basket. The dotted line area, which surrounds the basket’s center was implemented to prevent players from flopping in said area. If a player is caught flopping near the basket, it’s called a no-call or blocking foul. Beginning in the 2012-13 season, offenders were to get fined for flopping. As mentioned earlier, some of the players are such great actors that very few were actually given a fine.
The first offense is a warning, the second offense can cost a player 5 thousand dollars, with the number going up to 30 thousand with the fifth offense. If it’s not enough to stop flopping, the flopper can also get a technical foul. If a player accumulates six technical fouls he will get disqualified for the next game.
Flopping can be caught in the game but the fine can be given afterwards. The video recordings of the match are reviewed by NBA referees, to be completely sure about the decision.
How can the players draw fouls?
There are many flopping techniques and as the regulations become stricter, the players have to get more creative. Flopping has to be done in a less spectacular way for it to be believable, so the players don’t scream as much. Falling onto the floor is still popular because even though the flop has to be less dramatic it also has to be enough for the referee to make a foul call.
Funny Failed Flopping Moments
As much as drawing fouls is irritating and can ruin the basketball game, unsuccessful attempts at doing so are pretty funny. A huge man crying and screaming in pain or laying on the floor after being barely touched is rather comedic.
James Harden has an innovative take on flopping, as he sometimes just stops and points a finger at the opposing player in order to draw fouls after not being involved in any physical act. An Oscar goes to Russell Westbrook, for his impressive jumps and grumpy facial expressions, which he makes while being touched by the defense.
Which of the NBA players has the most flops in the NBA?
There is only one player, who beats earlier mentioned Bill Laimbeer in a number of spotted flops. It was certain that Vlade Divac would fall onto the floor when he got in the proximity of Shaquille O’Neal. He was successful with his flops and maybe some of them were actual fouls because Shaq was absolutely enraged with his opponent’s behaviour. Vlade acquired sixteen flops in his career, more than any player ever did.
What does LeBron James say about flopping?
LeBron James is proud of his aggressive game and says that he doesn’t need to flop and wouldn’t even know how to flop. Interestingly, he has been accused of doing so in the past, he even received a warning concerning anti flopping rule violations.
Conclusion
Flopping is a nightmare for the referees, and can result in potential suspensions for repeat offenders. It’s just not worth doing it, it’s a temporary solution even though it may seem tempting. The fans are also not very fond of floppers and it’s better to give up a point with grace than make a spectacle of yourself and enrage everyone around you.
