quote:
Really. Read the definition you provide. "Flopping" will be defined as any physical act that appears to have been intended to cause the referees to call a foul on another player. The primary factor in determining whether a player committed a flop 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.
Maybe you should read the bolding.
Even if it's not a textbook flop, it was still a bush league move.
Gator, part of the reason the Spurs went cold in the 4th is that they were settling for outside shots. Some of them weren't bad shots, but they weren't as good as they usually get. Taking an outside shot isn't the same as settling for one.
Quick example, most of the time when Green or Leonard take a three, they pass is coming out of the paint. That means their eyes and body were facing the basket all the way from catch through shot. In the 4th, a lot of the time the Spurs were never getting in the paint; the passes were coming around the perimeter. They had to look and turn away from the basket to receive the pass. The closeout was also better because the defender didn't get sucked as far into the paint. Small details, but important nonetheless.
Similarly, Parker's sweet spot is 5-10 feet inside the arc stepping into a rhythm pullup. In the 4th, Parker was taking his shots from a step or two farther back, even outside of the three point line on a couple of occasions. They were also coming off the screen on more of a curl than the usual drive and pull up, which is a tricky shot when you don't normally do it. He likes to have a full step off the screen to change his momentum and square up his shoulders. Little things.
Memphis kept them out of the paint, partly because SA and Parker were tired, partly because they stepped up their defensive efficacy, and it changed the shots they were taking. Some open shots are better than others.
[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 5/22/2013 3:00p).]
