Denver Nuggets guard Rudy Fernandes was able to draw a technical foul on Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes by flopping backwards and pretending he had been hit in the face with Barnes' elbow during the fourth quarter of Friday night's NBA game in Denver.
Fernandes was covering Barnes on defense near the sideline while Barnes had the ball. Barnes swung his elbows aggressively with the basketball to try to give himself some room while looking for a Laker teammate to pass to. Barnes did not hit Fernandes, but Fernandes flopped backward as if he had been hit in the face.
The referee was behind Barnes back, but he saw Barnes' elbows flying and Fernandes' fake reaction to being "hit", so he called the technical foul on Barnes. Other referees, who may have been in better position to see how much air there actually was between Barnes' elbow and Fernandes' face, did not overrule the call.
Fortunately the call did not decide the game, as the Lakers beat the Nuggets 93-89. However, the NBA needs to stay on top of this flopping issue. Otherwise other players are going to be flopping left and right if they think they're going to get the calls, and we'll have an epidemic on our hands.
H/T Sports Grid.
Fernandes was covering Barnes on defense near the sideline while Barnes had the ball. Barnes swung his elbows aggressively with the basketball to try to give himself some room while looking for a Laker teammate to pass to. Barnes did not hit Fernandes, but Fernandes flopped backward as if he had been hit in the face.
The referee was behind Barnes back, but he saw Barnes' elbows flying and Fernandes' fake reaction to being "hit", so he called the technical foul on Barnes. Other referees, who may have been in better position to see how much air there actually was between Barnes' elbow and Fernandes' face, did not overrule the call.
Fortunately the call did not decide the game, as the Lakers beat the Nuggets 93-89. However, the NBA needs to stay on top of this flopping issue. Otherwise other players are going to be flopping left and right if they think they're going to get the calls, and we'll have an epidemic on our hands.
H/T Sports Grid.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
