From Deseret News archives:
NBA to take a look at 'flops'
But big man Jarron Collins did seem somewhat taken aback by a report that the NBA is considering making so-called "flopping" a foul.
In fact, he takes issue with very notion of faking a fall — or flopping, as it's widely known.
"I try to take charges and I try to draw fouls to give my team extra possessions out there," said Collins, the Jazz's resident charge-taker. "Some people see it as 'flops.' I see it as standing up and taking a charge."
According to a Bloomberg News report, NBA basketball operations executive vice president Stu Jackson said the league is studying how frequently "feigned fouls" — flops — actually occur, "and whether officials can consistently tell the difference between actual fouls and embellishments."
"They're really difficult to determine in real time," Jackson told reporters in New York earlier this week. "They're meant to fool an official. Are we going to be wrong more times than not? It's tough, but we're looking at it."
Whatever the case, Collins said he will not shy doing what he does best.
"I can't change my game," he said. "I've got to do the things that got me here — helping my teammates on the defense, and trying to take charges.
KIRILENKO OUT: Jazz starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko sprained his right ankle trying to block a Marcus Camby shot in the second quarter of Utah's win over Denver on Friday night, and he did not return.
Kirilenko landed awkwardly on his right toes, and his foot flexed in an opposite direction, leading to the sprain.
Kirilenko traveled with the team to Oklahoma City for its game against the Hornets tonight, but he is not expected to play, a Jazz spokeswoman said. His status beyond that is uncertain.
MILES BACK: Jazz shooting guard C.J. Miles was recalled by the Jazz on Friday following an eight-game stint with affiliate Idaho of the D-League.
Miles was inactive for Friday's game, and did not arrive at EnergySolutions Arena until after halftime because his flight from Boise was diverted because of fog at the Salt Lake airport. His plane stopped to refuel in Ogden, then made the short hop to Salt Lake.
"I'm glad to be back," said Miles, who averaged 17.3 points in 31-plus minutes per game for the Stampede.
GOOD LOOKING: The Jazz were impressed with the new-look Nuggets, replete with the NBA's Nos. 1 and 3 scorers, Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson.
"They're what we thought they were: They're a good basketball team," guard Derek Fisher said.
"They're a lot better, a lot more dynamic (than previously)," point Deron Williams added. "I mean, they can score from all over. And those two guys scoring so much opens up things for other people as well. And they're not selfish guys — they share the ball, they pass the ball. I mean, they're gonna get their shots up, but they share the ball and they do a good job of pushing the ball in transition. So, they're gonna be a tough team."
HE SAID IT: Williams, on getting to the free-throw line as much as Iverson, who attempted 15 freebies Friday: "One day. It would be a blessing."
E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com
