Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
Gay Marriage Vote Puts Heat On Christie
First, a retraction of sorts: on Sunday, I bemoaned the league's suspension of Dirk Nowitzki for his swing at Matt Harpring's face in Friday's Jazz-Mavs match-up. Rules are rules, and the league had to sit Dirk for a game. It was silly to suggest that ruling had been wrong. (I will not, however, back down from my statement that Harpring is ugly. And also, the opinion at the bottom of this Jazz Notes post regarding Dirk's potential reputation as a dirty player for having the temerity to fight back against the extremely, eternally dirty Jazz is absurd and reeks of localist triumphalism.)
But since rules are indeed rules, what happened to the rules the league created last summer to discourage flopping? In May, ESPN reported that the NBA would create a fine schedule to impose on the most egregious actors in the league. Almost nothing has come from it -- not one fine announced this season, no release of the ground rules or discussion of the review procedure.
This all comes to mind because of Andrei Kirilenko's flagrant flop, shown in the clip posted Sunday. Even Vlade Divac, Manu Ginobili and Anderson Varejao rolled their eyes when they saw that fall. Clint Eastwood is jealous. (And mad, also. He hates wimpy maneuvers. And Russians, also.)
If ever a flop deserved punishment, it was this one. I understand the need to keep fists at bay, but I plea for the league to understand how discouraging modern flopping is to the sport. I daresay that without the flop, Dirk's fist doesn't come out to play.
UPDATE: A league spokesman contacted FanHouse to say that contrary to the May ESPN report, the NBA is not fining players for flops this season. The league is monitoring the trend but has told media it will not fine players this year.
So Much for the NBA's Flop Crackdown
Dec 29, 2008 – 2:55 PM
House GOP Offers Deal In Big Fight
Washington Gay Marriage Legislation Signed Into Law By Governor Chris Gregoire
Officials Confirm: Prescription Drugs Found In Whitney Houston's Room
U.S. Green-Lights Google's Massive $12.5 Billion Purchase
Syrian Rebels Fight Off Attack On Key Town
How Long Will Santorum's Surge Last?
Afghanistan Base Named 'Aryan' Raises Objections From Soldiers
WATCH: Fox News Pundit's Disturbing Comments About Rape
Apple Announces Investigation Of Foxconn Factories
Obama's Birth Control Rule Will Hurt Homeless Veterans, Warns GOP Congressman
Debt Ceiling Showdown 2: Coming This Fall, In Time For The Election, Only Worse
WATCH: 25 Million Tons Of Japan Tsunami Debris Headed Directly Our Way
Scott Brown's Pledge To Keep Out Third Parties Written With Help Of Third Party
Topless Protesters Target 'Gas Gangsters'
Supreme Court Justice Robbed
It's Only Getting Worse: Economists' Latest Dire Prediction
Rex Sinquefield Apologizes For Comment Linking Schools With KKK
Huff TV: WATCH: Arianna Weighs In On Tony Bennett's Call To Legalize Drugs
DNC Pushed To Incorporate Marriage Equality Into Party Platform
In One U.S. City, Budget Cuts Leave Homeless Without Bathrooms, Water Overnight
Obama Sending Ambitious Plan To Congress
WATCH: Anderson Cooper's Hilarious Adventures With Adele
WATCH: Bill Maher Rips GOP Concept Of 'Elites'
