To act as if flopping is unique to this era of the NBA would be false. But it’s definitely more common now, especially among some players.
Some of the league’s current top floppers could one day make up their own wing of the Hall of Fame. It’s an art. Looking at who some of the NBA’s top floppers are, we actually wouldn’t be surprised if it one day became a measurable stat.
Flopping is something that we see on a nightly basis in NBA games. These are the league’s biggest violators.
Nikola Jokic, center, Denver Nuggets
Here’s a good test if you want to determine whether something was a flop. Check the reaction of the “wounded” player right after the call is either made or not.
Granted, running into Enis Kanter’s shoulder would probably hurt. But getting the whistle seemed to be the only medicine that Jokic needed.
Kevin Durant, forward, Golden State Warriors
If you’re running full speed and crash into a smaller person, who’s also standing relatively still, chances are good that you’re not going to go flying several feet in the opposite direction upon contact.
This was, indeed, a flop by both men. But at least Ingles moved in a plausible direction. KD? Not so much.
Bradley Beal, guard, Washington Wizards
Beal has done pretty well for himself in the NBA. But had his career in basketball not worked out, he would have made a decent stunt double.
We can’t even be mad at this. If everyone’s flops were this artistic, it would have to be an Olympic sport.
Andre Drummond, center, Detroit Pistons
Catching a shoulder from an NBA player wouldn’t feel good. But if you weren’t trying to draw a foul, it probably wouldn’t send you flying backwards for several feet…especially if you’re 7-feet-tall and 280 pounds.
Apparently, Drummond didn’t get the memo.
Joel Embiid, center, Philadelphia 76ers
While Drummond makes our list, we can’t exactly blame him. After all, Drummond has seen from Embiid just what the power of a good flop can do.
Hopefully Embiid’s family wasn’t watching on that night.
Josh Jackson, guard, Phoenix Suns
As we’ve seen, flopping is an art that can years to perfect. So, we were downright amazed when Jackson, in the early part of just his second NBA season, flopped so well against one of the NBA’s biggest stars.
This kid has a chance to go places.
Lance Stephenson, forward, Los Angeles Lakers
We’re into the nitty gritty now. Through his career, Stephenson has been a world class pest. That doesn’t come without knowing how to flop.
He may have oversold this one. Hence, the no call. Still, Stephenson is pretty adept at flopping around.
Chris Paul, guard, Houston Rockets
Well over a decade into his NBA career, Paul is fully committed to flopping. He’s taken his show onto Houston now. But his all-time gem still has to be this one from his days in Lob City with the Los Angeles Clippers.
You almost have to admire that kind of dedication.
LeBron James, forward, Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron is arguably the greatest player in NBA history. A big reason for that has been his remarkable durability. Prior to this last season, he’d avoided major injuries. But to see him flop, you’d probably assume he suffered dozens of serious injuries every year.
That particular flop may not be appreciated enough. He really gave us two for the price of one.
James Harden, guard, Houston Rockets
There are literally dozens of examples to prove this. But one would be hard pressed to find a professional wrestler that can sell contact quite like Harden.
If the sport of basketball never existed, Harden would have had no problem adjusting to the world of the WWE.