NBA commissioner David Stern would like to quell some of the converversy over flopping by expanding the rules next season.
Speaking at a news conference before the NBA Finals, Stern suggested that increases in fines should be considered. In the first season after the anti-flopping policy was put in place, five players were fined $5,000 during the regular season and seven so far in the postseason.
“It isn’t enough, it isn’t enough,” Stern said. “You’re not going to cause somebody to stop it for $5,000 when the average player’s salary is $5.5 million. And anyone who thought that was going to happen was allowing hope to prevail over reason.”
The league phased in the anti-flopping policy this season. In addition to the fines, 14 players were issued warnings after video reviews. Offenders could have been fined up to $30,000 after five violations and received a suspension after six.
“We could end it immediately if we decided to suspend players,” Stern said. “But that might be a little Draconian at the moment.”
The NBA’s competition committee plans to discuss flopping next week at its meetings in San Antonio. Stern was uncertain whether a stricter policy might be adopted.
“I think we have the data. I don’t know if we have the stomach,” Stern said. “And we’ll have to wait and see what happens with the competition committee and the board (of governors).”