Flopping in the NBA has always sparked debates. You know about flopping in basketball, the shameless act of tricking officials into calling fouls that weren’t really there. Is it a clever tactic or does it cross the line of fair play?
Whether you admire the strategy or not, certain NBA players have mastered the art of flopping. Here we rank the 11 biggest floppers in the league right now in 2024. We’ve even included videos to showcase their… let’s say, ‘unique’ skills on the court.
Our rankings of biggest flopper in the NBA consider:
- How often players flop, and
- How bold they are in doing it.
Let us know if you agree or disagree about our choice for the biggest flopper in the NBA in the comments. Now, onto the biggest NBA floppers!
James Harden
James Harden is at the top when it comes to NBA players who flop. He’s really good at making referees think he’s been fouled, almost as good as he is at scoring points. Some call him “lazy Harden” for using fouls to make games last longer. He’s especially good at this when shooting three-pointers, turning these moments into “And 1s” and extra shots for himself.
You can easily see Harden’s flopping style in games. He has a habit of falling dramatically, even when there’s little or no contact with other players. This part of his playing style often gets shown in highlights, helping build his reputation as the biggest flopper in the NBA.
LeBron James
LeBron James is not just a top NBA player; he’s also known for being one of the biggest floppers in the game. He’s quite skilled at exaggerating contact to his advantage, a talent criticized and joked about by people calling him ‘LeFlop.’ Even though he says he doesn’t flop, many videos show otherwise.
For LeBron, flopping is a game strategy. He uses it to gain an advantage, especially in critical parts of the game. While he may be one of the oldest NBA players on the court, his flopping skills show no signs of aging.
Learn more: Top 23 LeBron James Quotes
Chris Paul
Chris Paul stands out as a top flopper in the NBA. His ability to deceive referees with his flopping has become almost legendary. Many consider him the master of this controversial tactic.
One of the reasons Paul flops is his strong desire to win. He looks for any way to get ahead in the game, and flopping is one of his strategies. He’s also brilliant about basketball rules, which helps him flop effectively. Plus, he’s excellent at acting, making his flops look real enough to convince referees.
Paul’s known for a move called the ‘swing through,’ where he pretends to get fouled while shooting. He also has a knack for getting rebounds, then suddenly jumping in front of other big players and falling over. Even though the NBA has warned Paul about flopping, he still uses it to gain an edge in games. He may be one of the shortest NBA players, but he’s arguably the biggest flopper in the NBA.
Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart, known for being one of the best guard defenders in the league, also stands out as the poster child for flopping. While he shines in defense and has moments in offense, his skill in drawing fouls gets the most attention. He uses flopping as a defensive tactic, which can frustrate opposing teams and disrupt their usual gameplay.
Smart sees flopping as a smart play, a strategy he believes is expected in the NBA. This approach has critics, but Smart insists it’s just part of the game. He’s known to exaggerate contact, turning regular plays into foul opportunities.
One of Marcus Smart’s signature moves is his dramatic flop during inbounds plays in crucial game moments. Smart’s ability to use flopping to his advantage shows his understanding of the game’s psychological aspects, even if it does raise eyebrows.
Devin Booker
While a standout scorer, Devin Booker has also gained attention for arguably being the biggest flopper in the NBA. He’s mainly known for exaggerating contact during plays. When driving towards the basket, Booker is adept at making it seem like he’s been hit harder than he actually has. Booker often overacts, like opening his mouth wide, to make the referees think a foul has occurred.
Booker’s skill in flopping is evident when he faces aggressive defense. For example, he’ll fall to the ground when a defender makes contact with a hand-check, aiming to draw fouls and earn free throws. Despite using this tactic, Booker humorously comments on other players’ flopping, highlighting his awareness of its widespread use in the league.
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid, a top player in the NBA, is also known for flopping. He often leads the league in getting free throws by making it look like other players foul him. Embiid says he tries to get important players from the other team into trouble, a tactic some people think is just imaginative play, and others see as flopping.
Embiid is good at exaggerating contact, using his size to make small bumps look like big fouls. This helps him score from free throws and upsets the other team. The NBA even warned him for flopping too much, showing that there’s a tricky balance between being smart and breaking the rules.
Interestingly, some believe Embiid’s frequent falls are a way to protect himself from injury. He’s reportedly worked with a martial arts expert to learn safer ways to fall, preferring to land on his hip or back rather than risking knee, back, or hip strain.
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic, a highly skilled offensive player, stands out not just for his physical playing style but also for his flopping. He moves confidently on the court and is adept at drawing fouls. Luka’s ability to get to the free-throw line quickly is part of what makes his game effective.
Luka’s approach to flopping involves creating the illusion of fouls. He often makes it look like there’s more contact than there actually is or even initiates contact himself. This strategy frustrates defenders and often leads to referees calling fouls in his favor.
His tendency to exaggerate contact and complain to referees has drawn comparisons to notable NBA floppers like Chris Paul, who are known for similar tactics. NBA player Patrick Beverley once commented on the challenge of guarding Luka due to his physical and ‘floppy’ playing style, saying it’s hard to defend against him without fouling.
Trae Young
Trae Young, known for his remarkable circus shots, has also developed a reputation similar to James Harden for drawing fake fouls. He’s become well-known for his exaggerated reactions on the court, to the point where the NBA has specifically named him in their efforts to reduce flopping.
Young’s skill at getting to the foul line is notable, but his approach often appears more focused on drawing fouls than making clean shots. His go-to is the “‘stop-and-jump-backward’ move, where he jumps back into defenders to draw fouls. He’s also particularly adept at baiting defenders into fouling him while shooting from behind the arc, a strategy that earns him free throws and criticism for foul baiting.
Kyle Lowry
Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry is known in the NBA for his innovative playing style. Even though he’s not as athletic or quick as he used to be, Lowry is still clever at finding ways to play effectively, often bending the rules to his advantage. To many fans, he’s the biggest flopper in the NBA.
Lowry is particularly good at taking a charge in basketball and is okay with falling more dramatically to get the call. Commentator Bill Simmons once called Lowry “the Daniel Day-Lewis of flopping” for his exceptional skill and creativity in drawing fouls, like pretending to have a concussion to get a foul call.
![A quote graphic that reads: "[Kyle Lowry] needs to stop falling. That's why he's getting hurt ... I just wish he would stop flopping. - Tim Hardaway, about Kyle Lowry flopping"](https://homeschoolhoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/BiggestFloppersNBA_Quote_KyleLowry-1024x768.png)
Draymond Green
Draymond Green, a key player for the Golden State Warriors, is famous for his tough play and helping his team win three championships, the second-most rings in the NBA. He’s often involved in controversial moments on the court, often exaggerating contact to draw fouls.
Is he the biggest flopper in the NBA? No, but Green’s ability to turn these moments into a dramatic display makes him a standout, yet polarizing, figure in the league. However, he has actually spoken out against flopping in the NBA, saying he once stopped watching games because there was too much of it.
After catching his son copying the NBA’s flopping behavior, Draymond said he would try to do less of it himself. As a role player who thrives on physical confrontations and is excellent at setting screens and grabbing a rebound in basketball, Green prefers playing a more physical game with less acting and fewer foul calls.
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is always fully engaged in the game, fighting hard until the end, and willing to do what it takes to win. This drive includes selling contact, often seen as he dramatically flails his arms to make it look like he’s been fouled.
Westbrook is the all-time league leader in triple-doubles, a testament to his all-around skill in basketball. He’s adamant about not being labeled a flopper. He’s defended himself passionately, insisting to referees that he doesn’t flop and takes hits.
At one point, Westbrook received a flopping warning from the NBA. This happened when he exaggerated a movement by kicking out his right leg during a play against Chris Paul, which led to him getting three free throws.
NBA’s Response to Flopping
The NBA is known for having players who exaggerate falls or contact, a move often disliked by fans. To address this, the league has tried different ways to discourage flopping. Their latest effort is a new rule that starts in the 2023-24 season.
Under this new rule, players who flop during a game will get a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul. This means the other team gets to shoot one free throw. The idea is to make the game fair and stop players from pretending to fall or be hit.
Players won’t be thrown out of the game just for flopping, but the NBA hopes this new penalty will make players think twice before flopping. This update should influence more players than the biggest flopper in the NBA to adjust their techniques.
FAQs
What is the flopping rule in the NBA?
Starting in the 2023-24 season, if an NBA player flops, they receive a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul. This results in the opposing team getting one free throw.
What is the fine for flopping in the NBA?
In addition to in-game penalties for flopping, the NBA can also fine players. The fines for flopping start at $2,000 and can increase with each repeat offense. These fines are imposed after the game when the league reviews the plays.
Is there a flop call in the NBA?
Yes, referees can make a flop call in the NBA. If they see a player flopping, they can call a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul against them. This doesn’t stop the game immediately but is applied at the next natural break in play.
How many fouls do NBA players get per game?
In the NBA, players are allowed up to six personal fouls per game. Once players commit their sixth foul, they are disqualified or “fouled out” and cannot participate further.
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