There’s a fine line between drawing a foul and putting on a full-blown performance worthy of an awards show. Some players have taken the art of flopping to theatrical new heights in the NBA, turning hardwood contact into dramatic masterpieces.
Whether they were trying to sell a call or add a little flair to the moment, these guys gave the refs (and fans) a show. From wild reactions to delayed falls, here are 20 NBA stars who flopped so hard, we’re shocked the Academy didn’t nominate them.
20. Dennis Schroder
He might be lightning quick, but Dennis Schroder’s reactions to contact always seem a beat too dramatic. He’s turned minor bumps into full-body collapses more times than anyone can count.
19. Dwyane Wade
Wade was a Hall of Famer, but his ability to exaggerate contact was genuinely next level. He’d hit the deck like he got clipped by a linebacker, then pop up with a smirk once the whistle blew.
18. DeMarcus Cousins
Boogie never met a foul he agreed with and wasn’t afraid to hit the floor in protest. Equally dramatic arguments usually followed his dramatic falls
17. James Harden
The beard is known for drawing contact, but sometimes it looked like he acted in a one-man play. Arms flailing, head snapping—he sold it like he had tickets to move.
16. Smart Marcus
Wait, sorry—Marcus Smart. This guy had such a reputation for flopping that he became a meme in his own right. He flung himself into the air with such commitment, you had to admire the effort.
15. Kyle Lowry
Lowry treated every bump like a car crash and knew precisely when to hit the ground. His veteran savvy included a PhD in fooling refs with perfectly timed falls.
14. Vlade Divac
Vlade, one of the OGs of flopping, helped bring the art form to the modern NBA. He’d go down like a tree in a windstorm and act shocked! There was no call.
13. Patrick Beverley
Every possession is personal for Beverley, including selling contact like it’s his side hustle. His falls were aggressive, exaggerated, and oddly entertaining.
12. Jae Crowder
Crowder’s defensive flops had so much flair they distracted from the play. The man could hit the floor on a whisper, making it look like a sledgehammer had hit him.
11. Chris Paul
One of the craftiest players ever, CP3’s flops were as strategic as they were theatrical. He’d flop, draw the call, and walk away like he just closed a business deal.
10. Reggie Miller
Before flopping was mainstream, Reggie was already laying the groundwork. His dramatic reactions to defenders earned him trips to the line—and plenty of eye rolls.
9. Manu Ginóbili
Ginóbili had Euro-step magic but also brought over some elite-level flopping techniques. He made flailing an art form and somehow got the benefit of the doubt more often than not.
8. Anderson Varejão
The hair bounced, the limbs flailed, and the refs’ whistles followed. Varejão might’ve spent more time flying through the air than guarding someone.
7. Rajon Rondo
Rondo was always thinking one step ahead, including his dramatic tumbles. A quick neck snap or a sudden sprawl was all it took to turn a no-call into a parade to the stripe.
6. Paul Pierce
The truth knew how to stretch the truth when it came to contact. Whether it was a hard screen or a light nudge, Pierce ensured everyone in the arena felt his pain.
5. LeBron James
One of the greatest of all time—and one of the greatest floppers. LeBron’s flops have gone viral for a reason, with reactions so dramatic they deserved a halftime standing ovation.
4. Trae Young
Young has quickly built a reputation for selling contact like a Broadway vet. He combines the head whip, the fall, and the look of betrayal into one dramatic package.
3. Blake Griffin
At his peak, Griffin mixed elite athleticism with theatrical falls that had fans doing double-takes. One minute he’s dunking over cars, the next he’s flying backward from a shoulder brush.
2. Lance Stephenson
The man blew in LeBron’s ear—do we need to say more? Every flop from Lance was a full-on performance, complete with body rolls, slow-mo collapses, and facial expressions.
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1. Joel Embiid
Embiid is seven feet tall and built like a tank, yet he falls like he’s been hit by a wrecking ball. His commitment to the bit is unmatched, and he’ll flop on offense, defense, or just for fun.
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