The 2nd round matchup between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers has not begun yet but words are already being fired. There is no question that the Heat are the favorites to win the series. So it should come to no shock that Pacers head coach Frank Vogel would try to get any type of advantage he can.
On Thursday Vogel told the Indianapolis reporters that the Heat are the biggest floppers in the NBA. Here are the quotes thanks to the Indianapolis Star.
“They are the biggest flopping team in the NBA,” Vogel said. “It’ll be very interesting to see how the referees officiate the series and how much flopping they reward.”
The Heat, who eliminated the New York Knicks on Wednesday, were fourth in the league in points allowed and fifth in the league in field goal percentage defense during the regular season. They like to swarm to the ball when it’s in the paint.
“Every drive to the basket, they have guys not making a play on the ball,” Vogel said, “but sliding in front of drivers. Oftentimes they’re falling down even before contact is even being made. It’ll be interesting to see how the series is officiated.”
There is no question the Heat are one of the best flopping teams in the NBA. Right now I think the Los Angeles Clippers flop the most in the NBA but I would probably put the Heat second on the list. The Heat have Shane Battier on their team he is one of the best floppers in the history of the NBA. Also star’s LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade are good actors. Of course the stars will get the benefit of the call.
I think when Vogel said this he was trying to get in the mind of the officials rather than taking a shot at the Heat. The Heat are already one of the best teams in the league you don’t need to give them any extra motivation. As we have seen these playoffs it is not smart to call the other team out. Just ask Andrew Bynum and the Hawks owner.
There is nothing more in basketball that bugs people more than players flopping. This happens when a player gets hit and they flop back like they have been really run into. Or sometime players act like they got hit, but they were really never touched. Basketball isn’t soccer.
Some say this is a smart play, to me this disrespects the game, if you want to flop around go become an actor. I wish the NBA would come up with a foul or fine for players that flop. This would hopefully stop it from happening in every game.
Here is some recent flops by the Heat.
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Tags: Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat