The NBA enacted a new rule in the first week of the season- “Flopping”, or pretending to be hurt or pushed by another player, will now have a penalty attached to it. First a warning, followed by fines of $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, and $30,000 for each time after. If a sixth offence occurs, a greater fine and/or possible suspension will be imposed. Students and teachers voice their opinions on the issue.

Questions:
1. Do you watch NBA basketball?
2. Do you know about the new flopping rule?
3. Do you think it will have a positive or negative influence and why?
4. Who do you think should be in charge of calling a flop and why?
5. What do you think about the punishments and why? (too light or too harsh)

Laura Montgomery, Science teacher

1. Rarely

2. Yes

3. It will have a positive influence, because its a more honest way to play.

4. A referee, because that’s their job and ideally they would be trained to call it under certain circumstances.

5. They seem appropriate to the crime.

Debora Finkes, Math teacher

1. Not real often

2. Not at first

3. I think it will have a positive influence. It will eliminate overacting and it would be good for it to carry over into other sports that have a lot of overacting.

4. Maybe a special referee who is not necessarily on the floor.

5. It needs to be stiff for them to pay attention to (it). It also depends on where the money is going.

Ryan Johnson, Spanish teacher

1. The playoffs

2. Yes

3. I think it will be positive. It is a very big problem. It will be hard to implement.

4. It has to be the referee’s. They are the only ones qualified to make the call.

5. I think its fine. It’s probably good that it starts low.

Sydney Vanourney, 10

1. No

2. Yes

3. A positive one because not as many players will get hurt

4. The ref. I don’t know.

5. I think they will help influence the players not to flop. I think they’re fine.

Luke Becker, 9

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. Negative because the players are going to get sick and tired of paying fines.

4. I think they should have an extra person.

5. I think its fine because they are getting paid too much anyway.

Sherese Melvin, 10

1. At times

2. Not at first

3. I think it will have a positive influence. It will teach people not to lie.

4. The referees because they are, like, the officials of the rules.

5. I think they are fine because it would be harsher to raise it up another 10,000. It is enough to get their attention.