When it comes to flopping, Red Auerbach and LeBron James differ in opinion. The game is in a dangerous place.
"Some guys have been doing it for years, just trying to get an advantage," James said in a story by Brian Windhorst on ESPN.com. "Any way you can get an advantage over the opponent to help your team win, so be it."
That sounds like a strong endorsement for flopping by the game's greatest player. And that should be alarming.
Flopping has existed in the game since Dr. James Naismith tacked up a peach basket at the Springfield Y, but it has never been more prominent than it is today. Four decades ago it was already becoming a disturbing trend to the point where the great Red Auerbach expressed outrage in a basketball instructional video. (h/t to @RedsArmy_John).
Auerbach roared about how coaches were teaching players how to flop and draw fouls.
"This is unreal!" he barked. "They're teaching them HOW TO FALL!"
The legendary coach later added, "I'm very, very much opposed to this type of basketball."
Auerbach brought in Mendy Rudolph, who was one of the most respected referees in NBA history, to offer his thoughts on flopping.
"The official should ignore it totally," Rudolph said, "to eliminate this kind of acting in our game."
But the game these days moves much faster than it did 40 years ago. Most referees are caught reacting to movement without actually seeing what the viewing audience sees with the benefit of television replay.
The NBA has made efforts to control the issue by fining players for flopping. Four players have been fined in the playoffs this season, including the Knicks' J.R. Smith. The fine is $5,000.
Ironically, no one on the Heat has been fined, despite the universal belief that they practice flopping more than any other team in the league. Don't believe me? Ask Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and Pacers coach Frank Vogel, who were each fined $15,000 for expressing his opinion that the officials let the Heat get away with flopping.
So $5,000 for flopping or $15,000 for complaining about flopping.
What have they done to your game, Red?
We'll let Dwyane Wade answer that.
"We would have no NBA, possibly," he said, "if they got rid of all the flopping."
Is this an issue to you as a fan or no?
)
