NBA Playoffs 2013: LeBron James’ Quote on Flopping Shows NBA’s Glaring Issue With Rule


Steve Mitchell-USA Today Sports

LeBron James is a flopper. Dwyane Wade is a flopper.

We don’t have to name the whole team, the Miami Heat are accused each and every game of flopping. You can log onto Twitter during Tuesday night’s Eastern Conference Finals match-up and see for yourself. That’s just the public image and perception that the Heat have continuously been labeled with.

Leading up to Tuesday night’s Game 4 however, LeBron had some interesting things to say in terms of flopping. Albeit, he has always denied himself as a flopper, his quotes showing the glaring issue — don’t blame James, blame the NBA.

“Some guys have been doing it for years, just trying to get an advantage,” James said. “Any way you can get an advantage over the opponent to help your team win, so be it.”

Sure, it seems like an excuse right? That’s what some will believe, but let’s be serious — flopping has become an issue in the NBA and the league’s office has attempted to solve the situation by instituting fines and suspensions, but obviously the issue isn’t getting any better. If Twitter was running the NBA, LeBron and the entire Heat team would be suspended for the rest of the playoffs because of flopping.

For fans who want to call James a flopper, they’re right. He basically says that he flops in the aforementioned quote, just reread it. But will you blame him for breaking the “rules” that are virtually unenforced to give his team the greater advantage? Hasn’t it always been about building advantages and doing anything necessary to win the game?

This is simply a loophole, so blame the NBA because they either refuse to enforce their own rule or even make an example of it when the spotlight is on the league the most. So, why have it instated. To take $5,000 away from Tony Allen for fake-landing on his head to force overtime? It’s all about gaining that advantage — it’s wrong, but it’s an option because of the system designed around flopping.

LeBron might be breaking the rules by flopping, but he’s not going to admit it and why should he? There are no consequences for him and he will deal with public scrutiny if it gives his team an advantage. Wouldn’t that be what you’d want from your team? A win, right?

NBA stars shouldn’t be flopping, but the NBA shouldn’t be allowing it to happen.

Plain and simple.

 

Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS

 

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