The video above won't help the Los Angeles Clippers' developing reputation as "Flop City."
During the fourth quarter of a Sunday night victory over the New Orleans Hornets, Clippers forward Reggie Evans executed an absolutely ridiculous flop after setting a pick on Hornets guard Greivis Vasquez.
Evans set his screen on Vasquez near midcourt and when Vasquez turned to deliver a light forearm to the chest, Evans collapsed backwards and fell to the ground as if he was hit by a train.
The NBA's officiating crew of Ron Garretson, Bennie Adams, and J.T. Orr totally bit on Evans' deception, initially ruling the play a Flagrant Foul 2, which would have meant an automatic ejection and potential discipline from the NBA league office for Vasquez. Upon video review, the trio immediately realized they had been suckered and retracted their Flagrant Foul 2 ruling, assessing Vasquez with simply a personal foul.
Hard fouls and rough play have been major subjects of discussion heading into the NBA postseason, as has flopping. With games getting more physical and referees looking to retain control on the court, the incentive for flopping necessarily increases, given that there are currently no negative repercussions for faking the funk.
If video replay, in this instance, can rescind the Flagrant Foul 2, the NBA should seriously consider modifying its rules and/or its instructions to its officiation crews so that refs could have the option of assessing a technical foul to Evans for his flop. Alternatively, the NBA could add a provision whereby an egregious flopper could face a potential fine upon a post-game review conducted by the league office. Just as flagrant fouls are meant to cut down on "non-basketball plays," there is nothing "basketball play" about this simulation.
The Clippers went on to win the game 107-98. Evans finished with 1 point and 4 rebounds in 11 minutes.
