Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin was warned by the NBA for flopping against the Portland Trail Blazers during Portland's 115-104 victory at the Moda Center on Saturday night.
With a little more than nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Martin lined up a three-pointer from the top of the arc with CJ McCollum defending him. During his follow-through, Martin launched himself backwards to the court as if McCollum had contacted him during the shot in an attempt to draw three free throws.
Replays showed that McCollum did not make contact with Martin and that Martin's reaction was unnatural. No foul was called on the play and the action continued.
Here's a look at the flop.
The warning marks Martin's first violation of the 2013-14 season. He was warned and then later fined during the 2012-13 season for performing similar stunts.
The NBA's official anti-flopping video specifically prohibits this type of flop, singling out Heat guard Dwyane Wade for a similar action. In the video, Wade exaggerates contact to his leg during his shooting motion.
"After releasing the jump shot, the shooter, No. 3 in the white uniform, extends his right leg attempting to draw a defensive foul," the video's narrator explains. "While there is marginal contact on the play, the flail and spin to the floor by the offensive player is an over-embellishment and it's inconsistent with marginal contact."
Martin will now be subject to the following sliding fine scale for future violations.
- Violation 2: $5,000 fine
- Violation 3: $10,000 fine
- Violation 4: $15,000 fine
- Violation 5: $30,000 fine
- Violation 6: Subject to discipline reasonable under the circumstances, including an increased fine and/or suspension
Houston Rockets guard James Harden was warned for flopping against the Blazers back in November.
No Blazers have yet been warned or fined since the new anti-flopping rules went into place prior to the 2012-13 season.
Be sure to follow Blazersedge's new official Twitter account here.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter