After reviewing the play that kept Manu Ginobili from hitting a lay-up in the last minute of the game, the NBA fined Memphis Grizzlies’ best perimeter defender, Tony Allen, $5,000.
While there was contact on the play, it was clear to everyone besides the officials that Allen was overreacting. Despite not hitting his head on the court whatsoever, the Grizzlies’ guard grabbed his head after being taken off his feet, appearing to be in serious pain.
According to Steve Kerr, flagrant fouls are often called depending on the reaction of the player who was fouled. Nobody will ever question Tony Allen’s potential acting career ever again. He sold that foul to the extent that officials awarded the acting job with a Flargrant 1 foul on Ginobili.
The discussion of the flagrant fouls, flopping, and fines handed out by the NBA this postseason is a double-edged sword. While it is good that the league is trying to protect players in dangerous situations and penalize those who are trying to take advantage of that fact, sometimes officials will just be completely wrong.
Allen’s fine is well deserved. His shananigans gave the Grizzlies life late in Game 2, virtually taking the game into overtime.
Regardless, there was no harm done, as once again the San Antonio Spurs took care of business. Although the NBA got it right by fining Allen after the fact, flopping will be a part of the game until the league can consistently get it right in real time. If players can potentially give their team life in the way that Allen did by aiding the Grizzlies run to force overtime, $5,000 will be well spent.