The 2008 title-winning Boston Celtics are one of the most celebrated teams in NBA history. Following a 24-win 2006-07 season, Celtics’ GM Danny Ainge decided to acquire Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. The trio of Garnett, Allen, and Paul Pierce led the Celtics to their first NBA title since 1986. Even today, the players who won the championship together in 2008 maintain a fantastic camaraderie.

However, things got heated between Garnett and Pierce in a recent episode of the KG Certified podcast. During a conversation about “tough” players in the modern NBA, Pierce called current NBA players “Labradoodles”, which didn’t sit well with KG. Garnett replied by saying, “Listen, everybody I name is a dog. Tatum, Bron, AD, Kawhi, Jaylen Brown, Brunson, Randle, these are all DOGS! These guys gonna bone yo a**… Randle will bone your a** right now. Tatum will put you in a mix. Stop playing.”

Paul Pierce isn’t the only former player who has complained of increasing “softness” in the league. Even fans are starting to call out players for their habits of foul-baiting, flopping, and willingness to take free throws rather than finishing through contact. Players like James Harden and Trae Young have been criticized in the past for their flopping and foul-baiting antics. However, the NBA decision-makers are privy to such tactics and have decided to crack down on such unsportsmanlike behavior.

NBA unveils new guidelines to punish flopping

Before the start of the 2023-24 season, the NBA revealed a new set of guidelines to punish flopping. Armed with STEM (secondary, theatrical, and exaggerated movements), flopping will now be considered a technical foul, with the opposing team receiving a free throw, starting from the 2023-24 season onwards. STEM movements include excessive flailing, traveling a considerable distance after minimal contact, and other unnecessary actions.

During a video press conference in September, NBA senior vice president of referee training and development, Monty McCutchen explained the nuances of the new set of regulations. He said, “We do want to get rid of the egregious, overt over-the-top examples in which NBA players look bad.” McCutchen further added, “The thing that the competition committee made very clear to us is that we didn’t want to parade to the free throw line for 20 of these a game based on small enhancement or embellishments. We want to get the big ones.”

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Phoenix Suns’ Josh Okogie made history, as he became the first player to be fined for flopping after a game against the Golden State Warriors. The NBA imposed a fine of around $2,000. What are your thoughts on the crackdown? Let us know in the comments below!

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