Sorry Coach, Can't Call It, He Fell down ...

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Yes. After warning the same defender once not to "fake being fouled" (not the words I used that night), he didn't listen. Several transitions later he flops again, but this time right in the middle of the lane, which caused about five rebounders to come back down to the floor in dangerous ways either tripping all over him or trying to avoid him. I issued a T and, though still criticized by my one partner that night to this day, am not regretful that I did. It was a safety issue. And that's why I'm there. And that's one reason why there's this rule. And it solved what would have been a reoccurring problem the rest of the game.
Most players straighten up and cut it out after a tactful warning.
It's not "nuclear" when it regards "safety."
Most officials are just too chicken to call it even when it's truly merited.

I wasn't there, and I'm probably one of only a handful of officials I know who has made this call, but it almost seems like you could have actually called a common foul on this knucklehead. I normally hate the idea of going with a "block" on a flop. It's a copout call, and it's not backed by the rules. But sometimes, like when the flopping player ends up tripping other players, it seems like the right call.

Again, I wasn't there, though, and I'm probably out of line for even bringing it up. If so, disregard.