The NBA’s flopping debate has followed Oklahoma City and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander through the playoffs, with critics arguing that exaggerating contact has become too effective.
Jay Williams added fuel by claiming Gilgeous-Alexander had fallen on shot attempts 15 times across two games, more than Victor Wembanyama had all postseason.
Andre Drummond, the Philadelphia 76ers centre, two-time All-Star and four-time rebounding leader, has now widened the conversation rather than blaming one player or one team.
Andre Drummond refuses to blame only one star in NBA flopping row
Speaking with N3on last Monday, Drummond admitted the issue has become part of the league’s environment, even as he argued the recent Western Conference Finals, between San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, still showed signs of returning to physicality.
“Past series was probably one of the best series I’ve seen in a long time. Very physical, I mean, despite all the flopping and stuff. I don’t like that kind of stuff, but I think they turned it around and became a lot more physical later in that series,” he began by saying.
“So I think the league is going back to how it used to be. They’re letting guys play and be physical, touch people, push people around, so it’s not as soft anymore. So I’m looking forward to what happens next season. I know they’re gonna change a few more rules about the flop and stuff.
“Everybody does it, man. I even catch myself doing that s—. I’m like, ‘Man, it’s not even me. Why am I doing this?’ But I’m a product of my environment. I see so many people doing that s—. If they get away with it, I gotta try to get away with it.”
Drummond’s answer lands because the NBA has already made in-game flopping penalties permanent. The debate now is whether the rule can change behaviour when players still believe selling contact works.
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