Flopping Proposal

Recently there has been some talk about flopping and what to do about it. Most would agree that it degrades the game, but it is difficult to come up with a fair solution to the problem. The argument against enacting a rule that penalizes flopping is that differentiating between a flop and an offensive foul is very difficult. The call would be too subjective and the last thing the NBA needs is another subjective call for the referees to mess up.

The officiating is really awful this year. I do not know what the deal is but the refs are incredibly inconsistent, which is really bad when you consider that the only thing you want from referees is consistency. If the referees are going to call a game tight, then players can adjust accordingly. If the referees are going to allow a lot of physical play, the players can also adjust. The problem exists when the referees call it both ways during a game. Players do not know what they can and cannot do, and then they get frustrated. The players begin to argue every call and this really brings the game down as much as the flop. The two things that I cannot stand are flops and players whining to the referees.

But I digress, I have a solution to the flopping problem. I have not heard my idea articulated, but it someone came up with this first I apologize. While it is extremely difficult to distinguish between most flops and legitimate charges, it is extremely easy to identify the egregious flop. We all know it when we see it. Shaq acting like he was shot by a sniper in the rafters comes to mind, since it’s been on ESPN nonstop. But there are many instances where you sit back and say, “Wow, that was an obvious flop.”

These flops are often called as either blocks or they are non-calls. I propose that these egregious flops should be penalized with a technical foul. And not a defensive technical, a personal technical foul. As in, if a player commits two egregious flops in a game, they will be ejected. Tell me this would not stop the flopping culture in the NBA. Can you imagine the shame of the first player to get ejected because he flopped? Wouldn’t that send a shockwave felt throughout the NBA? Imagine, “Tonight on Sports Center. Shane Battier does all the little things, but sometimes does partakes in the big things, like being the first player ever to be ejected for committing two Egregious Flops in a single game. Tune in tonight to watch Battier and his walk of shame into the locker room.”

Will a player ever be able to live that down? I guarantee this would be a great stride towards eliminating flopping from the game. And this would not be as subjective as let’s say traveling. Egregious flops are more than obvious and should be easy for referees to identify. So, if you want to eliminate the flop from the great game of basketball, let’s start handing technicals out.