NBA weighs retroactive penalties for floppers

Thank God all the problems in the world have been solved, now, the NBA can deal with their primmadonna millionaires and put an end to "flopping," it was second only to "world hunger."

Anderson Varejao of the Cleveland Cavs is one of the best "Floppers." Here, he demonstrates a "flopper" move.

MIAMI (AP) — David Stern is determined to stop the floppers, even if it takes until the next morning.

The NBA commissioner believes too many players are deceiving referees into calling fouls by falling down, or flopping. So he and the league's newly reformed competition committee met Monday for a discussion about how it can be prevented.

One option, Stern said, is a "postgame analysis" in which a player could be penalized if it was determined he flopped. The league retroactively upgrades or downgrades flagrant fouls after review, and along those lines he said that perhaps a player could receive a message from New York saying: "Greetings from the league office. You have been assigned flopper status."

"No, I'm joking, but something like that," Stern said. "That sort of lets people know that it's not enough to say 'it's all part of the game.'"

BLACK ATHLETES among those targeted by New Orleans Saints NFL Coach Payton

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Sean Payton is seeking some relief from the NFL.
The Saints coach has decided to file an appeal on Friday with the league on his season-long suspension for his involvement in New Orleans' bounty system, a person familiar with the decision said.
The appeal will also ask NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for his guidance on the parameters of the suspension, the person told The Associated Press Friday on condition of anonymity because the league and the Saints have not announced Payton's plan to appeal.
Goodell last week announced the suspension of Payton, starting Sunday, for his role in connection with New Orleans' bounty system, which offered improper cash bonuses for big hits that either knocked opponents out of games or left them needing help off of the field.
The commissioner has since said the Saints' coach would be allowed to continue working if he appealed, while the process played out. However, he added that the appeal would be expedited, indicating that Payton would not likely be able to add on much work time should his appeal be upheld.
Goodell also said at NFL meetings this week in Florida that Payton could have some contact with the team but did not go into detail, and Payton indicated that he was still a little unclear about that as well.
With all the uncertainty, Payton is trying to compress as much planning for the 2012 season into whatever time he has left at Saints headquarters this weekend.

In my opinion, Payton should be arrested and prosecuted for "Authorizing" HITS on opposing players. The injuries sustained could have led to "death" or permanent disability. If the league agrees to ANY concessions they should be made to account for their decisions. Let's just say Payton put out "contracts" to "hurt, injure, or cripple" BLACK ATHLETES, as many of those involved would have been. Get Jesse Jackson and the "boys" on this situation. "PAYTON APPROVES ELIMINATING BLACK ATHLETES FROM THE NFL"

Wes Leonard

This is a great, sad story, I can't conceive the sorrow they feel. One of the team spends the night at their house, so they don't have to be alone ...... what a great bunch of kids, there is hope for this country ...

Vicksburg, MI — Wes Leonard’s parents sobbed as they broke their silence for the first time since their son died earlier this month after making a game-winning shot for Fennville High School.

Gary and Jocelyn Leonard spoke with The Associated Press on Monday night after Schoolcraft beat Fennville 86-62 in a Michigan Class C basketball regional playoff game.

They both wore black T-shirts adorned by buttons with their son’s picture in basketball and football uniforms.

“You won’t get over it, but you’ve got to get through it,” Jocelyn Leonard told the AP after she and her husband visited Fennville’s locker room. “We couldn’t get through it without everybody helping us.”

The 16-year-old Leonard had cardiac arrest March 3 because of his enlarged heart.

“He’s what every parent would wish for,” Gary Leonard said. “Losing him so sudden is just so hard. I don’t even know how to describe it.”

Every night since his death, members of the team have spent the night at the Leonard’s house.

“They don’t want us to be alone,” Jocelyn Leonard said. “Their families have loaned them to us. They sleep on the floor because I can’t let anyone in his room.”