Steve Clifford Responds to Hassan Whiteside Accusing Hornets of Flopping

Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford is firing back at Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside, who accused the team of flopping during their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. 

Following Miami's 89-85 loss in Game 4 on Monday, which left the series tied 2-2, Whiteside told reporters, per the Charlotte Observer's Jonathan Jones, his foul problems through the first four games were the result of Charlotte players flopping:

"

I just got to do a better job of just looking out for Cody [Zeller] flopping. Guy’s flopping, and I just got to do a better job on that and not get offensive fouls.

Just don’t get too physical with [Zeller], because he’s going to fall over. I don’t know if that’s something they teach him – to flop. But just don’t get too physical with him, because he’s going to fall over.

"

Per ESPN.com's Justin Verrier, Clifford responded Wednesday by calling out Miami's roster for its history of flopping: "If you're going to get into career flopping between the two rosters, it wouldn't be close. So, I don't—yeah. ... We don't have anybody that flops. We haven't had a flopping issue all year."

Verrier pointed out the Hornets are averaging the most free-throw attempts per game in the postseason (30.5) because they are making a deliberate effort to be more aggressive inside, knowing the Heat will focus on stopping Charlotte's outside shooting. 

Clifford went on to say the Heat have the NBA's officiating reports from the series, adding, "I wouldn't say that if you read those reports they could have any complaints about the officials."

After having just two fouls called against him in Game 1, Whiteside was called for a total of 14 in the next three games. He has yet to foul out, but Charlotte's desire to drive inside does force him to go after players to prevent easy buckets. 

Whiteside's frustration with the Hornets and officials isn't going to do him any good at this point. He has to adjust his play in order to stay on the floor and help the Heat advance in the postseason.