Ziaire Williams Doesn’t Believe He Deserved Flopping Technical

One of the points of emphasis for NBA officials this season is punishing players flopping on the court by assessing technical fouls to the offenders. And that showed itself in the Los Angeles Lakers’ contest against the Portland Trail Blazers with three flopping technicals being assessed, including one to Lakers forward Ziaire Williams.

The call on Williams was the third in less than two minutes of game time following one each on the Blazers’ Toumani Camara and Ja Morant. Williams’ came with 3:36 remaining and the resulting free throw put Portland ahead by six, but the forward questioned the call.

“Yeah I mean, the dude was pushing off me and my body is naturally gonna waver back so I don’t know,” Williams said after the game. “I didn’t think I flopped. Yeah, I don’t know man. I don’t know. I really can’t answer that.”

This wasn’t the first time Williams got called for flopping as he was assessed a fine earlier in the week for the same thing.

The Lakers wound up losing this contest, their first loss of the season, by seven points as they were unable to contain the Blazers down the stretch, though Williams did have another strong performance with 11 points, four assists and two steals. But perhaps just as frustrating for Williams was the fact that he was apparently given no explanation as to why the call was made.

“They’ve just been calling it, I haven’t heard anything from anyone,” Williams added. “Like I said I don’t think I’m flopping. If I was flopping I’d be on the floor. But it is what it is, nothing I can do about it now.”

Ultimately, the call wasn’t the reason the Lakers lost the game, and the Blazers were unhappy with the calls that went against them as well and have plans on appealing those technicals. But getting explanations as to why they are being made and what can be done to prevent them is important on the officials’ end so clarity in that regard would be ideal for everyone involved.

Lakers coach JJ Redick defends Ziaire Williams after alleged flop

Lakers head coach JJ Redick also came out in defense of his player, believing that Williams’ body just moves in a way that looks like he is over-exaggerating, but doesn’t believe that was the case.

“They’re looking for theatrical things. I also think Ziaire, his body naturally moves a certain way. I’ll have to rewatch this one, but I don’t think the one the other night was a flop. That’s just how his body naturally moves.