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Lance Stephenson to appeal flopping fine citing 'slippery floor'

Despite the two flopping violations this season, Lance Stephenson is having a career year with the Pacers. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Despite the two flopping violations this season, Lance Stephenson is having a career year with the Pacers. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers swingman Lance Stephenson said he will appeal his $5,000 fine for violating the league's anti-flopping policy, according to a report from Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star

Stephenson had received a warning for a flop earlier in January in a game against the Toronto Raptors. The fine handed down to him this week is for his second violation, which came on Monday night against the Golden State Warriors.

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The 23-year-old, a candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year, explained his reasoning for appealing the fine in Buckner's report, saying it was a slippery floor that caused the supposed flop:

"I don’t feel like I flopped on that possession, it was very slippery on the floor. When I ran into him, he pushed me and I tried to catch my ground and I slipped. I would’ve held my ground if it wasn’t slippery, but it was definitely slippery, so I’m definitely going to fight for that...I’m definitely going to get my money back on that. I wasn’t flopping on that. The other one [against Toronto] was a flop, when I ran out of bounds."

Stephenson said he has already reached out to his agent to contact the NBA Players Union to officially file the appeal with the league. He is having a breakout season under head coach Frank Vogel, averaging 13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season, all career highs.

The anti-flopping policy, introduced by the league offices in October 2012, calls for an increased penalty for each violation.

Violation 1: Warning

Violation 2: $5,000 fine

Violation 3: $10,000 fine

Violation 4: $15,000 fine

Violation 5: $30,000 fine

Footage of Stephenson's flop that resulted in a fine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iT_nHusVZM

(h/t (Flopping Gypsys)

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