'It looks like he's getting murdered out there' - Shane Battier on what made Luis Scola the 'most egregious flopper'

During their respective NBA careers, Shane Battier and Luis Scola played together on the Houston Rockets. This now-retired duo spent four seasons with the team from 2007 to 2011, which gave them plenty of time to really understand each other's game.

For example, "Batman" gradually learned a striking aspect of the Argentinian on the court: he had a knack for flopping on the offensive end. Shane mentioned this in a 2012 interview, pointing out the key factor behind Scola's ability to successfully draw those fouls.

"My boy Luis Scola, he's got that long hair, and when it gets sweaty and he starts flopping and flailing, it looks like he's getting murdered out there. I love Luis Scola, but he's the most egregious flopper on the offensive end," remarked Battier, per ESPN.

Long hair in basketball

When you think of basketball players with long hair, you might assume it's a disadvantage. For instance, it can get in the way during shots and make your head feel unbearably hot, especially when you're sweating during an exhausting game.

However, as Battier, a two-time NBA champ with the Miami Heat, pointed out, there is a silver lining to having long hair, as seen with his former Argentine teammate. Referring to him getting foul calls, he jokingly came up with the motto, "The more hair you have, the better."

"Batman" clearly wasn't the only one to notice this about Scola. This is evident because, in the early 2010s, Sports Illustrated conducted an informal poll among NBA players to identify the biggest floppers in the league. Not surprisingly, the then-Rockets power forward came in third. Interestingly, Anderson Varejao—another player famous for his long hair—took the top spot. So, there might be some truth to Battier's hilarious motto.

Was "Batman" a flopper as well?

Interestingly, when looking back at those rankings, the sixth spot was also held by a familiar name: Battier, who, just for the record, always sported a short buzz cut. However, for the former 6'8" small forward, the alleged flopping typically occurred not on offense but on defense.

The 2001 NCAA champion was known for taking charges, and as he explained, these moments often occurred when an opponent was "rolling down the lane." Shane then presented that opponent with two choices: either attempt to block the shot or take the charge—a "strategic weapon on the defensive end," as he described it.

While this tactic often frustrated opponents who saw it as flopping, "Batman" became one of the best charge-takers in league history, which helped the Michigan native to earn two All-NBA Second Defensive Team selections in the late 2000s.

For anyone now interested in mastering this technique, feel free to check out Battier, who retired in 2014. He teaches how to take a charge successfully in his version of "NBA Fundamentals."