As great as this postseason has been, flopping has dominated its discourse, especially around the OKC Thunder. From media to fans, there is a clear frustration. A recent blunt admission from Adam Silver and Tyrese Haliburton might fuel that fire.

In light of the flopping controversy, Haliburton made a confession. According to the Indiana Pacers star, teams are now teaching players to oversell contact to draw fouls. Haliburton addressed Adam Silver’s previous claim on Pat McAfee’s show.

"Yeah, for sure it's being taught. I don't think it's as much head coach teaching as much as it is like player development, even before you get to the NBA, it's just something you like, kind of work on by nature.”

Postseason basketball is the most-awaited time for NBA fans because playoff basketball gives space to physicality. However, the best players overselling the calls have highlighted this playoff.

Haliburton added that the top scorers are often guilty of such tactics.

“The best scorers are the guys who get to the free-throw line the most. So it’s definitely something they work on, even in pickup, they're working on how they can draw fouls. I think that's a part of the game."

Last season, OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attempted 217 free throws during the playoffs. It was the highest number in the last 13 years.

However, on the other hand, Luka Doncic led the league with 645 free throws in the regular season. It was the lowest in the last five years. Doncic was the first guard in the last five years to lead the league in free throws. 

Adam Silver's comments from Wednesday do not help the case at all, either.

What Did Adam Silver Say About the Flopping Controversy in the NBA?

While fans and media members describe flopping as a growing issue, the league isn't too worried.

After Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals between the OKC Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s comments on Pat McAfee’s show about flopping raised eyebrows.

“Even as I sit in the stands at games, players may be falling down, players may be reacting to a call. But to me, if they’re not fooling the referees, it’s OK. Players are taught to sell calls these days.”

The modern NBA basketball is offense-oriented. Offensive players often get the benefit of the doubt.

However, it is also a fact that defense and offense contribute 50-50 in basketball, and excessive flopping and foul-drawing might limit teams playing defense and shift to creating elite offense. 

During the 2018-19 season, while playing James Harden, the Spurs first started to guard Harden with hands raised high to avoid fouling the Beard.

The Lakers followed a month later in December 2018 when they guarded the Houston Rockets with their hands folded behind their backs to avoid fouling. Not because both teams were bad on defense, but because Harden had mastered the art of embellishing and drawing fouls. 

At the end of the day, it will be the league’s call about what brand of offense they want to sell to the fans. Fans may have to accept that embellishing contact is now a standard offensive tactic.

What do you think about teams teaching players to sell calls? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Surjo Ray