2012 NBA Playoffs

Miami, FL

NBA commissioner David Stern said Sunday that flopping has become an issue that the league must start to take more seriously.

Speaking during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers, Stern was questioned about Pacers coach Frank Vogel's assertion that the Heat are "the biggest flopping team in the NBA,"

"(Vogel) didn't have a beef; he was just manipulating the refereeing or trying to," Stern said. "I would have fined him much more than our office did."

Vogel was fined $15,000 lighter but his message may have gotten through as Stern spoke about investigating the issue further.

"I think it's time to look at (flopping) in a more serious way," Stern said, "because it's only designed to fool the referee. It's not a legitimate play in my judgment. I recognize if there's contact (you) move a little bit, but some of this is acting. We should give out Oscars rather than MVP trophies."

The issue of flopping has come up before and Stern said he has personally attempted to get it to stop, but without any success.

"Some years ago I told the competition committee that we were going to start fining people for flopping, and then suspending. And I think they almost threw me out of the room (saying), 'No, let it be," Stern said.

 

 

Stern Agrees that Flopping in NBA is a Concern