That’s why the NBA needs to take a page out of FIFA’s book when it comes to "mistaken identity" calls like what we saw in the USA vs.Paraguay World Cup match in Los Angeles on Friday.Referee Danny Makkelie speaks to Miguel Almiron of Paraguay and Tim Ream of the United States during a VAR check for mistaken identity in a tackle at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif.
(Harry How/Getty Images)In case you are unaware, USMNT captain Tim Ream was initially given a yellow card for a perceived trip on Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron as he was dribbling the ball along the sideline.After play resumed for a short time following the "foul," video assistant referee (VAR) Carlos del Cerro Grande intervened shortly after the ball was headed out of the United States’ penalty box and instructed referee Danny Makkelie to watch the incident again on the screen off the pitch.WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONEAfter watching the replay, Makkelie rescinded Ream's yellow card, because the video evidence was clear that Ream never actually touched Almirón, and a yellow card was given to Almirón for simulation (diving).The decision was historic because it became the first World Cup use of the new mistaken-identity VAR rule, and Ream became the first player in tournament history to have a yellow card overturned through that procedure.This is exactly what the NBA needs to do when it comes to flopping.
I believe if they take my advice I’m about to breakdown here, it would make the game more enjoyable to watch, and help discourage and punish flopping better than any rules they have laughably tried to implement over the years.The NBA could adopt a version of FIFA's new "mistaken identity" rule that would allow replay officials to correct situations where a defender is wrongly called for a foul because an offensive player exaggerated or fabricated contact.For example:With all of the camera angles and technology incorporated in today’s NBA, there’s no reason th...