In response to the NBA's $5,000 flopping fine on Grizzlies guard Tony Allen after Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, Memphis coach Lionel Hollins was in favor of the league's anti-flopping rules and conceded that they could possibly be enforced more widely. The coach spoke to ESPN before the team's Game 3 matchup on Saturday.
"Flopping isn't a part of the game and it shouldn't be a part of the game," Hollins said. "That's why we have rules in place. There are probably a few more that could be called on a lot of people still in it."
The NBA instituted new rules to deter flopping prior to this postseason. A violator will be fined $5,000 after the first infraction, $10,000 after his fourth flopping offense.
Any subsequent violations are subject to league discipline. Aleen was the fourth player to be issued a fine for flopping during this year's playoffs.
Derek Fisher of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jeff Pendergraph of the Indiana Pacers and J.R. Smith of the New York Knicks were each assessed a $5,000 fine. Hollins made clear that the foul committed by Spurs guard Manu GInobili was a flagrant foul as Ginobili grabbed Allen's arm while he was airborne.
"I don't think what happened had anything to do with the referee calling a flagrant foul because he grabbed him out of the air," Hollins said. "Whether he hit his head or didn't hit his head, he grabbed him out of the air, and I don't think that had a bearing, especially when they went and reviewed it, they still called it a flagrant."
After hitting the floor, Allen grabbed his head and appeared to be in pain. Video replays showed that Allen's head never made contact with the floor. "I almost wanted to laugh on the court, but I was too tired and too focused on the game," Grizzlies guard Mike Conley said.
The Grizzlies will play against the Spurs on Game 3 of the Western Conference finals Saturday, May 25 at 9 p.m. EST.
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