Helena Frye
Flopping in basketball is an art that involves a player intentionally falling or staggering after little to no contact from an opponent to induce a foul call. While it is considered unsportsmanlike, it is a widely practiced tactic that can provide a competitive advantage. The roots of flopping in basketball go back to the early days of the sport, with some attributing it to enforcer Danny Ainge of the Boston Celtics in the 1980s. Over the years, the NBA has struggled to curtail this practice, with some calling for stricter sanctions, such as suspensions. In recent years, the NBA has introduced new rules and penalties to address flopping, including fines and technical fouls, with the league expressing satisfaction with the current state of flopping enforcement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | As early as 1928; popularized in the 1980s |
| Origin | Derived from soccer |
| Reason | To get a foul called on the opponent |
| Notable Players | Danny Ainge, Bill Laimbeer, Vlade Divac, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Manu Ginobili |
| Critics | David Stern, Shaquille O'Neal, Stan Van Gundy, Frank Vogel |
| Penalties | Fines, in-game penalties, technical fouls |
| Studies | Funded by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban |
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What You'll Learn
The roots of flopping in basketball
By 1942, some West Coast colleges tried to address flopping by moving referees off the court and into a crow's nest behind the basket. The idea was that if referees were farther from the court, they would be less likely to fall for deceptive techniques. However, this change didn't catch on, and flopping persisted.
In the early 1980s, flopping became more prevalent in the NBA, with players like Danny Ainge and Bill Laimbeer becoming notorious for their theatrics. Ainge, who played for the Boston Celtics, was known for complaining to referees when flops weren't called in his favour. Laimbeer, an enforcer for the Detroit Pistons, was often involved in fights and played aggressive defence that sometimes crossed the line.
One of the first Europeans to bring flopping to the NBA was Vlade Divac, a Serbian-born power forward and centre who played during the 1990s and early 2000s. Divac would flop at the slightest sign of contact, making life difficult for opposing centres.
Over the years, many players have become known for their flopping, including Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Manu Ginobili, and Jerry Sloan. Despite the NBA's efforts to curb flopping with fines and, more recently, in-game penalties, it remains a part of the game. Some even argue that flopping is an inevitable expression of competitiveness.
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The worst floppers in NBA history
Flopping in basketball is an intentional fall or stagger by a player, after little or no physical contact by an opponent, to induce an official to call a personal foul on the opponent. It is considered unsportsmanlike and is widely disliked by the NBA community, including players like Shaquille O'Neal, who criticized opponents who resorted to flopping. Despite this, flopping has been a part of the NBA since the early 1980s, with players like Danny Ainge and Bill Laimbeer being among the first to bring it to the game.
Vlade Divac
Vlade Divac, a Serbian-born power forward and center who played in the 1990s and early 2000s, is credited with making flopping famous. He would flop at the slightest sign of contact, utilizing his strength by falling once a bigger player attempted to post up. Divac was so adept at flopping that he earned the reputation of being one of the worst floppers of all time.
Bill Laimbeer
Playing for the Detroit Pistons in the 1980s, Bill Laimbeer was known for his aggressive style of play and frequent fights with opponents. He also became a notorious flopper, often exaggerating contact and selling non-charges as fouls. Laimbeer's flopping was so obvious that he drew 12 foul calls in Game 3 of the 1990 NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers, contributing to a Detroit victory.
Chris Paul
Considered one of the best point guards in the NBA, Chris Paul is also known for his flopping abilities. He has been compared to soccer players and accused of watching too many soccer games between basketball games. Paul's flopping skills are so renowned that he is often mentioned alongside other well-known floppers like Bill Laimbeer and Vlade Divac.
Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce, an outstanding athlete with a Hall of Fame-worthy career, gained a reputation for flopping during the Boston Celtics' 2008 NBA Finals appearance against the Los Angeles Lakers. In one notable incident, Pierce suffered an injury that required him to be taken out on a wheelchair, only to miraculously return and inspire his team to victory shortly after.
Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart is known for his defensive skills, but he has also gained attention for his flopping abilities. While he doesn't flop frequently, when he does, it tends to be egregious and obvious. Smart's flops have led to calls for fines and penalties for such actions.
While these players may be exceptional in their skills and achievements, their tendency to flop has left a mark on their legacy, highlighting the negative perception of flopping in the NBA.
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Flopping fines and penalties
Flopping is considered unsportsmanlike in basketball, but it is a widely practised move. A "flop" is when a player intentionally falls or staggers after little or no contact from an opponent, in the hopes of inducing an official to call a personal foul on that opponent. Flopping effectively is not easy, and if a foul is not called, the player who has flopped is at a disadvantage as they cannot provide further defence.
In 2012, the NBA implemented an anti-flopping rule, and fines for flopping were introduced the following season. The first time a player is determined to have committed a flop, they are given a warning. The second time, they are fined $5,000, with fines increasing in increments of $5,000 for each successive flop. The fifth offence results in a fine of $30,000 and a potential suspension. These fines also apply during the playoffs, and any player who flops five or more times could be suspended.
In 2013, eight players had been fined for flopping during the playoffs, including LeBron James and Chris Bosh. In May 2012, Brooklyn Nets forward Reggie Evans became the first NBA player to be fined for flopping. In 2013, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban announced that he was funding a study on flopping, providing $100,000 to investigate the possibility of using video or motion capture techniques to distinguish between legitimate collisions and flops.
In 2023, the NBA approved an in-game flopping penalty and expanded use of the Coach's Challenge for the 2023-24 season. Under the new rule, when a game official calls a flop, the offending player is charged with a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul, and the opposing team is awarded one free throw attempt.
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Flopping as a competitive tactic
Flopping is a tactic in basketball where a player intentionally falls or staggers after little or no physical contact by an opponent, in an attempt to induce the official to call a personal foul on the opponent. This move is sometimes called "acting", as in "acting as if he were fouled". Flopping is considered unsportsmanlike and is frowned upon by fans, but it is still a widely practiced tactic.
The roots of flopping go back to the earliest days of basketball, with some sources claiming that it was brought to the game by enforcer Danny Ainge of the Boston Celtics in the 1980s. Ainge was known for complaining to referees when flops were not called in his favour, and he was soon followed by other players such as Bill Laimbeer of the Detroit Pistons. However, the tactic of flopping may have been influenced by soccer, where players often flop to give their team time to rest and to try to get a foul called on the other team.
Over the years, many notable players have become known for their use of flopping as a competitive tactic, including Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Vlade Divac, and Manu Ginobili. These players have been criticised by some for their theatrics and for making the game less authentic. Despite the criticism, flopping can be an effective tactic for drawing offensive fouls and frustrating opponents. It requires body control and practice to consistently draw fouls in this way without being penalised.
Due to the deceptive nature of flopping, it can be difficult for officials to determine when a player is exaggerating contact. In recent years, the NBA has made efforts to address flopping, with the introduction of in-game penalties and expanded use of the Coach's Challenge. These rules aim to discourage the most egregious forms of acting without taking away from the spectacular nature of the game. However, some critics argue that the current system of fines is not enough to deter players from flopping, as the potential benefits of drawing a foul may outweigh the financial costs.
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The future of flopping
Flopping has been a part of basketball since the early 1980s, with players like Danny Ainge and Bill Laimbeer of the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons, respectively, being among the first to bring it into the game. Despite the practice being considered unsportsmanlike, it has persisted and even become more prevalent, with some of the game's biggest stars, like Chris Paul and Vlade Divac, employing it regularly.
In 2013, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban funded a study on flopping, providing $100,000 to investigate the possibility of using video or motion capture techniques to distinguish between legitimate collisions and flops. This study aimed to provide a more objective way to identify and penalize flopping, which has proven challenging for officials to judge consistently.
For the 2023-24 season, the NBA approved an in-game flopping penalty and expanded the use of the Coach's Challenge. Under this new rule, when an official calls a flop, the offending player is charged with a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul, and the opposing team receives one free throw attempt. This penalty is designed to deter players from flopping while also recognizing that it is a difficult infraction to call consistently during a game.
While the new rules are a step towards addressing flopping, some challenges remain. The definition of "flopping" is nuanced, and officials must adapt their approach to watching plays to enforce the rules effectively. Additionally, players are quick to adjust their tactics, so it remains to be seen how the new rules will impact the prevalence of flopping in the long term.
In conclusion, the future of flopping in basketball is likely to involve continued efforts to minimize its impact on the game. The use of technology and rule changes are steps in the right direction, but the ultimate success will depend on consistent enforcement and adaptation to players' evolving tactics.
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Frequently asked questions
A flop in basketball is an intentional fall or stagger by a player, after little or no physical contact by an opponent, to induce an official to call a personal foul on the opponent.
Flopping in basketball began in the early 1980s, with one of the first players to bring it to the game being Danny Ainge of the Boston Celtics.
Flopping is not beloved by the NBA community because of the belief that faking an injury is a bailout to playing defense. It is considered unsportsmanlike and fans frown upon it.
The NBA has established new rules to prevent flopping, such as the in-game flopping penalty, which will be in effect on a one-year trial basis for the 2023-24 season.
