NBA Hands Down Flopping Fines

The NBA handed down $5,000 fines each to Miami's LeBron James and Indiana's David West and Lance Stephenson for breaking the leagues rules against flopping during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. When asked about the fine prior to Thursday's Game 5, LeBron said, "It is what it is.'' He was also asked if he earned the fine and in response he said, “Did I earn it? Man, quit. Next question." Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was unwilling to comment on the matter either. "We accept it," Spoelstra said. "We don't want the focus of this series to be on the officiating, we want it to be on the competition." Prior to Game 4, the subject of flops became an issue as the Pacers accused the Heat of excessive flopping. "Some guys have been doing it for years, just trying to get an advantage," said James in response to the question of other players continuing to flop despite the NBA's attempt to get this practice under control. "It's year one. It still happens. Definitely been less than years previous." Should either player receive another fine for flopping it will be much more steep at $10,000 each.