NBA Rumors: Will Pau Gasol return to the Los Angeles Lakers?


Pau Gasol

What was supposed to be a magical season for the Los Angeles Lakers quickly became a nightmare. Despite boasting the most talented roster (on paper), the purple and gold consistently found ways to disappoint and underwhelm. With the nightmare now over, it’s time for Mitch Kupchak and Co. to make some big decisions. One of [...]


Top 5 Floppers in the 2013 NBA Finals


1 of 6

Top 5 Floppers Flailing for a Ring

James
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Just because it’s illegal doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. It just means that people – or players – have to find clever ways to get away with it.

Even with the NBA cracking down on flopping this season, the epidemic continues to run rampant. Teams shamelessly used the tactic all season long to get calls going their way while gaining momentum, putting on a performance that has been painstakingly perfected over the years.

Bodies crumble to the floor and flounder. Arms flail about like the giant inflatable figures towering over used car lots. Unprovoked tears fall to hardwood, forever staining the great game of basketball that was once dominated by real men. Watch a Miami Heat game and you’ll see just what I’m talking about.

The San Antonio Spurs, meanwhile, have never been known as a team that airs on the side of poor sportsmanship. While some teams choose to get their leg up with questionable calls and acting, San Antonio uses smart basketball and chemistry to put points on the board. That, however, doesn’t mean that there aren’t a couple Spurs capable of hitting the deck because of a slight breeze.

Flopping is a part of basketball; it always has been and always will be, regardless of the consequences. And the teams that know how to do it without the refs catching on often have the inside track when it comes to being victorious.

When the 2013 NBA Finals tip off, we’ll see a number of flop experts hit the floor as they attempt to give their team the edge. Here’s a look at the top five floppers to watch for when the Heat and Spurs face off.

2 of 6

5. Chris Bosh

Bosh
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Despite his standing as a top-tier big man in the NBA, Bosh has always had “cry baby” stamped across his forehead. While he might not flop as often as some of his Miami teammates, Bosh always finds a way to play it off like he was run over by a car whenever he hits the deck. Flailing arms, tears and a severely-bruised ego are all common characteristics of a Bosh flop. Some players know how to act; Bosh just looks like a pitiful pile of pout.

3 of 6

4. Dwyane Wade

Wade
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

It’s sad to think that a player with Wade’s talent has to resort to deception to get his way out on the court, but that’s the case. The phenomenal penetrator and scorer for the Heat has had his fair share of ridiculous flops, and the NBA’s new rule on flopping did nothing to deter him from using the tactic. While Wade might not be the worst flopper on the Miami roster, he needs to start utilizing his given talents instead of crashing to the floor whenever an opponent makes contact.

4 of 6

3. LeBron James

James
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

While James does see the point in flopping, he won’t admit to taking part in it. The game film, however, tells a different story. As part of one of the best flopping teams in the NBA, James has had a knack for taking a tumble at the slightest provocation. He’s always been a big, physical presence out on the court, and often uses that recklessness to get calls going in his direction. James may not be the worst flopper, but his standing as one of the best ballers of all-time makes his partaking in the act all the more pathetic.

5 of 6

2. Manu Ginobili

Ginobili
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout his NBA career, Ginobili has been known as one of the peskiest defenders in the league. Part of what has made him so great is his ability to hit the hardwood at the slightest bit of contact, and get away with it. However, it has also helped hold him back as a dynamic defender and playmaker. Maybe if Ginobili wasn’t so busy flinging himself to the floor, he wouldn’t spend so much time nursing injuries. I guess that’s what happens when you intentionally cause harm to your own body.

6 of 6

1. Shane Battier

Battier
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

I was having a hard time deciding who would top the flopping list between Battier and Ginobili, but I figured I’d give the crown to the player hailing from the team that thrives on the flop. Battier is one of the greatest actors in the NBA, and finds ways to get calls to go his way time and time again while flailing around like a fish out of water. He may not be the Heat’s marquee player, but Battier could teach James and Wade a thing or two about flopping.

Gil Alcaraz IV is a Content Planner/NFL Featured Columnist for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GilAlcarazIV, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

LeBron James Cover


What a 2013 NBA Finals victory would mean for LeBron James’ legacy


LeBron James

For the last few years, the debate of whether or not LeBron James is the greatest NBA player of all-time has raged on like an inextinguishable inferno. One elite performance after another, the Miami Heat’s go-to man has nipped at the heels of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. With his Heat headed to the NBA Finals [...]


Los Angeles Lakers Free Agency Options: DeJuan Blair


DeJuan Blair

With Dwight Howard contemplating abandoning ship this offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers must put a contingency plan in place in terms of big men. While they currently have Pau Gasol to man the 4 and Jordan Hill likely to return in 2013-2014, the Lakers have always had an issue with depth at power forward and [...]


Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Kyle Korver on their radar?


Kyle Korver

With the 2012-2013 season now in the rearview mirror for the Los Angeles Lakers, the front office must turn their attention to making improvements to a roster that severely disappointed these past few months. While the potential re-signing of Dwight Howard will be the biggest concern this offseason, the roster goes far beyond one player. [...]


Los Angeles Lakers: Trio of guards all doubtful for Game 3


Jodie Meeks

It’s been a rough season for the Los Angeles Lakers, who have kept trainer Gary Vitti busy all season long with a string of untimely injuries. As if Kobe Bryant’s season-ending Achilles tear wasn’t enough for the Lakers to overcome facing a 0-2 deficit to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2013 [...]


Los Angeles Lakers are done following Kobe Bryant’s Achilles injury


Kobe Bryant

The sun has already set on the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2012-2013 campaign, even if they do end up making the playoffs. Why is that? Because Kobe Bryant is no longer in the picture following his probable Achilles tendon tear on Friday night. Throughout this season, Bryant has been the driving force behind the Lakers’ surprisingly [...]


Can Kemba Walker Become Leader of Charlotte Bobcats?


Kemba Walker

Since joining the Charlotte Bobcats in 2011, point guard Kemba Walker has been just about everything the team could want: a scoring machine, a facilitator and a defensive stud. The one thing he hasn’t been, though, is a vocal leader out on the court. Unfortunately for Bobcats head coach Mike Dunlap, that’s exactly what he [...]


NBA Rumors: Charlotte Bobcats Discussing Gordon-Bargnani Swap?


Andrea Bargnani

Less than a week after a confrontation between head coach Mike Dunlap and guard Ben Gordon, the Charlotte Bobcats are seeking any available option to rid themselves of the troublesome veteran. One potential trade partner that has surfaced is the Toronto Raptors. Although it would seem like the Raptors would make a solid suitor for [...]


Confrontation expediting Ben Gordon’s exit from Charlotte Bobcats


Ben Gordon

The Charlotte Bobcats were already looking to trade guard Ben Gordon, whose position on the depth chart has made him expendable at this point in the season. Following a showdown between Gordon and head coach Mike Dunlap, though, it appears that the Bobcats are ready to get the veteran guard and his $12.4 million salary [...]