James, West, Stephenson fined $5,000 by NBA for flopping
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Miami Heat's LeBron James puts up a shot against Indiana Pacers' David West during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (The Associated Press)
Miami's LeBron James and Indiana's David West and Lance Stephenson have all been fined $5,000 by the NBA for violating the league's anti-flopping policy.
James and West were penalized for the same play during a messy Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. James spun and fell and West tumbled toward the baseline during what looked like a poorly choreographed dance routine as the NBA's MVP defended the Indiana forward.
Stephenson was fined Thursday for exaggerating the contact after a slight elbow from Ray Allen following a Pacers basket.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The NBA began fining players this year for the act of trying to fool referees into calling fouls when there had been limited contact.