Fans and opponents have developed a genuine hatred for flopping and frankly, it ruins the integrity of the NBA. Players have been exaggerating contact in order to trick the referees in making a call in their favor. Often times the acting works for the flopper and he is unfairly given the better end of the call.
However, the league office is ready to punish floppers and the New York Times reports on the ground-breaking announcement.
League officials are still deliberating the specifics, but the policy will probably involve a postgame review, rather than an in-game ruling by referees, according to a spokesman. The most likely penalty will be a fine.
It is not clear as to what the NBA will do to repeat offenders, but this new anti-flopping rule will be finalized in the next few weeks. This is a great step in the right direction for the league, and it puts an end to something that ruins the excitement of the game. Flopping has been prevalent in the NBA for quite some time and even high-profile players have at times tricked the referees.
The flopping rule will be implemented into the league starting in the 2012-13 season and the effects will be seen immediately. Now, drawing legitimate charges will be more difficult and the players will have to rely on their basketball, not acting, skills in order to get a call their way.
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