SH Blog: League announces stronger flopping policy, Gortat says Suns are mentally weak

There’s nothing quite like the intensity and importance of playoff basketball. We’re all craving for it all to begin after having to watch a countless number of meaningless games over the last couple of weeks, where teams decide to sit their main players to rest for postseason action.

Unfortunately, we’re still a couple of days away from seeing any of it, as the first set of games don’t start until Saturday afternoon. If you’re wondering how things will play out in the first round and what teams need to do to be successful, you’re at the right spot. Sheridan Hoops has the five factors of each series and predictions on which teams will move onto the second round. Check them out below:

• Rockets vs. Thunder Preview: Five Key Factors
• Pacers vs. Hawks Preview: Five Key Factors
• Knicks vs. Celtics Preview: Five Key Factors
• Nets vs. Bulls Preview: Five Key Factors
• Nuggets vs. Warriors Preview: Five Key Factors
• Clippers vs. Grizzlies Preview: Five Key Factors
• Heat vs. Bucks Preview: Five Key Factors
• Lakers vs. Spurs: Five Key Factors

Another thing to keep in mind heading into the playoffs: the league has announced stronger flopping policy, from Ben Golliver of SI:

Any player who is determined to have committed a flop during the 2013 playoffs will be subject to the following:

Violation 1: $5,000 fine
Violation 2: $10,000 fine
Violation 3: $15,000 fine
Violation 4: $30,000 fine

If a player violates the anti-flopping rule five times or more, he will be subject to discipline that is reasonable under the circumstances, including an increased fine and/or suspension.

Onto news from around the league:

• Steve Nash’s availability for the opening round of the playoffs depends on how his drugs kick in, from Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports: “I haven’t been able to run yet,” said Nash, who would be matched up with speedy Spurs point guard Tony Parker. “I can jog and go three-quarter speed. I can’t sprint. You got to be able to run to play in an NBA game. If the drugs work, I can be running by two or three days. It depends on the drugs. “When I can play, I’ll play, no question. It’s not even a matter of getting to 100 percent. If I can play, I’ll play. I can’t just play yet, unfortunately. It’s tough.” The Lakers believe they can compete with the Spurs after beating them last Sunday. And if Nash is back, they like their chances even more. “Anything is possible,” Nash said. “I think they’re a tremendous team with a tremendous coach, but I think anything is possible with our group. I think I can definitely help. If nothing else, we are lacking a little depth without Kobe and myself. Just having another body out there can help and some experience, another person, another playmaker.”

• Lawrence Frank wants his deal as the coach of the Pistons to be insured, from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports: “With his brief tenure rapidly reaching a crossroads, Detroit Pistons coach Lawrence Frank informed owner Tom Gores that he shouldn’t be retained for the third year of his contract unless the franchise is willing to guarantee the deal’s fourth-year team option, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. In the week prior to completing his second season as Pistons coach on Wednesday night, Frank delivered this message to Gores and Detroit general manager Joe Dumars in face-to-face and telephone discussions, sources said. Within the organization, Frank has been insistent that the Pistons’ full-blown rebuilding project and recent instabilities in the head coaching position make it largely unworkable for him to return as a lame-duck coach for the 2013-14 season. Nevertheless, Frank has been passionate in his desire to stay the course through Detroit’s long-term rebuilding process. After purchasing the Pistons in 2011, Frank was Gores’ first significant hiring as owner.”
  
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