There’s one thing the Lakers may not have to worry about with their first-round matchup against the San Antonio Spurs.
Manu Ginobili flopping.
The NBA announced harsher penalties for repeat offenders, including a possible suspension after the fifth transgression. The league will also levy fines to players that flop starting at $,5000 for the first flop, $10,000 for a second violation, $15,000 for a third and $30,000 for a fourth.
Such measures are slightly harsher than the penalties implemented this season. The NBA office warned a player after his first flop before following with fines of $5,000 for a second violation, $10,000 for a third, $15,000 for a fourth and $30,000 for a fifth transgression.
The NBA determined there were 24 flopping violations, including 14 who received warnings and five others who received a $5,000 fine for breaking the anti-flopping rule twice.
The NBA office defined flopping as “any physical act that appears to have been intended to cause referees to call a foul on a another player.”
“The primary factor in determining whether a player committed a flop,” the league said in a statement, “is whether his physical reaction to contact with another player is inconsistent with what would reasonably be expected given the force or direction of the contact.”
During training camp, the Lakers largely criticized flopping even though they had infamous offenders in seasons past, including Vlade Divac and Derek Fisher. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant called it a “chump move.” Yet, some seemed split on what the NBA should do about it.
Bryant and Pau Gasol believed the NBA should adopt rules used internationally that penalizes floppers with a warning, a two-shot technical foul and possession of the ball. Lakers forward Metta World Peace argued officials should just better enforce calls. He even playfully charged into this reporter, proving that even media members can avoid flopping.
No whistles were called. No harm was committed. And no fines were levied.
Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com