The NBA has just released the statement that James Harden of the Houston Rockets will be the first to pay a fine for violating the Anti-Flopping Rule.
He was already served a warning for his flop in their game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The next flop came just two games later.

In a rebound play, Harden beat the Clippers’ Blake Griffin to the ball. As Griffin approached, Harden waited for the contact and promptly slipped to the floor. The league ruled that the contact did not merit the subsequent reaction.

James Harden will be fined $5000 for this violation.

This is the second season that the league has imposed the Anti-Flopping Rule. Critics have complained of how it is ineffective in curbing the habit. Also, the monetary fine is too low for the superstars who earn eight figures annually. For example, James Harden will earn $13million this year. A $5000 fine is not enough to make him change his game.

However, it would mean a lot to players earning the veterans’ minimum. This is the reason why more superstars flop. During the playoffs and all the way to the Finals, flopping continued. Even with the stricter fines (no more warning, fines imposed on first offense) the superstars like Lebron James kept on flopping. The games mean more and a successful flop can change the course of the game.

There are also many questions left unanswered. In the video below, James Harden earned two free throws off the foul called on Blake Griffin. The Clippers handily won the game by thirteen points, but what if they lost the game on account of Harden’s free throws? If the foul was not really a foul, but a flop, then the free throws should not have counted and Harden would have a turnover. The league is not clear on a situation like this.

It seems like the Anti-flopping rule is just lip-service to show that the league is addressing the problem.

HOU's J. Harden Fined $5,000 for Flopping vs. L.A. Clippers on Nov. 9. https://t.co/he6bOcW8CC

— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) November 11, 2013