We have all seen it countless times in the NBA when a player is barely touched and sometimes not touched at all flop to the floor to entice a foul call from referees. Although I believe the players and referees are both responsible for this act and often times these extra phantom calls have an impact on the final score of a game or even the point spread. Well now Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is funding a $100,000 bio mechanics study on flopping in basketball. Southern Methodist University (SMU) will carry out the 18-month long study to determine if video and other records can differentiate between a true collision or if it was a flop. Former NBA coach and current analyst Stan Van Gundy recently said the NBA could end flopping and stated in the June 10, 2013 issue of Sports Illustrated, "If left to their own, veteran referees would simply quit giving those guys calls even if they did get fouled....The problem is the league wants the foul called." And what purpose would the league want with ridiculous foul calls that slow up the action other than control of the game. Control that could potentially fix outcomes. Although we will have to wait another 18 months, this study should bring to light some interesting findings. I think Soccer should do a similar study if the findings are worthwhile.
No comments:
Post a Comment