Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden sounded off on the NBA’s new flopping rule during an interview with Mackenzie Salmon of USA Today Sports.
The flopping penalty will be assessed by game officials when they perceive a physical act intended to cause a foul on another player. The offending player will be charged with a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul — which means it will not count toward an ejection — and the opposing team will be awarded one free throw. Any player in the game can be designated by his coach to shoot the free throw.
“They put the rule in, you know, a few years ago, and then they just kind of like went away from it,” Harden said. “So I mean, honestly, like, it doesn’t affect me. I’m sure that will happen for everyone in the league because it’s part of the game. If it happens, it happens; you shoot a free throw and then move on. They’re just trying to put more authenticity into the game, and I’m here for it.”
Harden has been known to flop from time to time in his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and Sixers. It will be interesting to see if the 2017-18 NBA MVP gets caught for flopping next season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Sixers are currently dealing with Harden’s trade request. The 10-time All-Star wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Philadelphia doesn’t have to honor Harden’s trade request since the future Hall of Famer doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
After Harden learned about the Sixers’ plans to not give him a max contract this offseason, he opted into his player option for next season and requested a trade. The three-time scoring champion believes he should be compensated fairly after averaging 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists last season while shooting 44.1% from the floor, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden requested trades from the Rockets and Nets and got his wish, so most people around the NBA believe The Beard will eventually get traded by the Sixers.
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