Ref'd Up! New York Knicks Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart Appear in Flop Videos

New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart were tabbed by the official channel of the NBA's rules department as a further crackdown on flopping is set to begin.

Some players in the NBA believe that referees keep a closer watch on them. Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart might have definitive proof. 

The New York Knicks stars were part of new point-of-emphasis videos released by the NBA's officiating department meant to showcase the upcoming target on flopping. These demonstrations were narrated by senior vice president of referee development and training Monty McCutchen. 

This upcoming season will serve as a one-year trial for new rules regarding the exaggerated theatrics employed by players with the intent of drawing a foul call. Under the new sanctions, floppers can be charged with a non-unsportsmanlike conduct technical foul that will yield a free throw for the opposing team. 

The NBA has its eye on Jalen Brunson (L) and Josh Hart (R) / USA TODAY SPORTS

Perhaps continuing his streak of success in a Knicks jersey, Brunson was labeled as a good example of non-flopping. McCutchen referenced a Brunson basket from the Knicks' Dec. 14 victory in Chicago to prove his point. On the shot, Brunson spins from the post to the baseline against Bulls defender DeMar DeRozan. Brunson falls out of bounds on the successful attempt and McCutchen not only says that the move was not a foul but that the game's official missed a personal call on DeRozan as well.

See below for Part 2 of an educational video (narrated by SVP, Head of Referee Development and Training Monty McCutchen) which explains and provides examples of plays that do not meet the criteria of a Flopping violation: pic.twitter.com/Crpnr12iba

— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) September 27, 2023

"The highlighted offensive player in the post, Jalen Brunson, spins toward the baseline and attempts a field goal," McCutchen explains. "The defensive player, DeMar DeRozan, makes body-to-body contact with Brunson. 

"Brunson manages to get the shot off but, as he is off-balance, he goes down to the floor after releasing the shot. Brunson does not fall in a theatrical or exaggerated manner, so no flop would be assessed here. Note that a defensive foul on DeRozan was needed here." 

Hart, alas, is not so lucky, as McCutchen references an incident during one of his final games with the Portland Trail Blazers.

"Josh Hart…following minimal contact from a screen…falls to the floor in an exaggerated manner…A flop would be called here…technical foul"

— NBA head ref Monty McCutchen gives examples of flopping penalty pic.twitter.com/imNsQA9z7r

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) September 28, 2023

Going back to a January loss to the Orlando Magic, McCutchen charges Hart with a flop in an effort to make up for losing future Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero thanks in part to a screen from Wendell Carter, Jr. 

"The highlighted defensive player, Josh Hart, is trailing his opponent Paolo Banchero," McCutchen says. "Following minimal contact from a screen set by Wendell Carter, Jr., Hart falls to the floor in an exaggerated manner that is inconsistent with the nature of the contact. A flop would be called here and a non-unsportsmanlike conduct technical foul would be assessed." 

If the Knicks are going to benefit from the new flopping procedures, they'll have to improve upon their work at the foul line. New York was 23rd in the Association in free throw success rate at 75.9 percent and that number dropped to 74.6 during the postseason, 13th among the 16 contenders.

One thing's for sure: the Knicks better leave the acting to Broadway.