NBA: MVP Curry disagrees with flopping fine

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (centre) dribbles by Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (left) during the second half of their NBA Western Conference Finals, Game One at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, USA on May 19, 2015.-- PHOTO: EPA
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (centre) dribbles by Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (left) during the second half of their NBA Western Conference Finals, Game One at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, USA on May 19, 2015.-- PHOTO: EPA  

NEW YORK (AFP) - Most Valuable Player (MVP) Stephen Curry was fined US$5,000 (S$6,700) by theNational Basketball Association (NBA) on Wednesday for "flopping" but the Golden State Warriors guard insisted he didn't fall to try to draw a foul.

He was fined for an incident in the fourth quarter of the Warriors' 110-106 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday in game one of the Western Conference finals.

Curry had just drained a three-pointer that gave Golden State a 106-97 lead when he was bumped by Houston's Terrence Jones and fell to the court.

The league judged the fall violated rules against "flopping" - falling to draw a foul.

"I don't agree with it," Curry said. "I watched the play over and, transition play, so obviously balance is not very good in that situation."

Added Curry: "That play happens countless times. I wasn't even looking for the foul. I was just reacting to the contact."

Warriors coach Steve Kerr also disagreed with the fine - not because Curry's move wasn't a flop, but because such falls, from minimal contact, are so common.

"Are we just choosing one time to do this?" he said. "You can pick out flops every single game from half the guys on the floor."

The Warriors, who posted the best record in the NBA in the regular season, will try to extend their lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals on Thursday when they host the Rockets in game two.

The winners of the series will face the Eastern Conference champions, either Atlanta or Cleveland, in the NBA Finals.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.