The Top 10 Biggest Floppers in NBA History

From Theatrics to Tactical Flops – The Most Memorable “Oscar-Worthy” Performances on the Hardwood

Flopping—some call it strategy, others call it shameful. Love it or hate it, the act of selling contact to draw a foul has become a controversial and oddly entertaining part of NBA basketball. At its best, it’s a cunning tactic to gain an edge. At its worst, it’s pure acting worthy of an Academy Award.

Flopping isn’t new. It’s been part of the game for decades, and some of the league’s most celebrated stars have perfected the craft. Whether they were drawing charges, baiting offensive fouls, or dramatically reacting to non-existent contact, these players turned flopping into a form of basketball performance art.

Here are the Top 10 Biggest Floppers in NBA History—players who made their name not just with skill, but with a flair for the dramatic.

1. Vlade Divac – The Original Flop King

Long before “flopping” was a mainstream term, there was Vlade Divac. The 7-footer from Serbia took the NBA by storm in the ’90s with his unique blend of finesse and finesse-turned-flailing.

Divac could fall like a tree with a gust of wind, collapsing to the floor after the slightest shoulder nudge. What made his flopping so effective—and almost comical—was his size. At 260 pounds, it was hard to believe he could be knocked down by a point guard’s elbow.

Vlade's antics were so legendary that even Shaquille O’Neal, who battled him for years, once said, “If you breathe near Vlade, he’s on the floor.”

2. Manu Ginóbili – The Flop Maestro

Few players combined elite skill and dramatic acting like Manu Ginóbili. The Argentinian star was a fierce competitor and clutch performer—but he also had a talent for exaggerating contact.

Manu’s signature flops usually involved flying backwards on a close-out or whipping his head around like he’d been hit by a heavyweight boxer. Referees often bought it, and Ginóbili’s flops frequently swung momentum in favor of the Spurs.

Even fellow floppers respected Manu. His ability to time a flop during crucial moments was uncanny—he didn’t flop all game, just when it mattered most.

3. LeBron James – The Superstar With the Superstar Flops

Yes, LeBron James—one of the greatest athletes in NBA history—is also one of the most high-profile floppers the game has ever seen.

LeBron’s flopping isn’t as constant as some others on this list, but when he does it, it’s usually in dramatic fashion and in nationally televised moments. Whether it’s collapsing after a tap on the shoulder or flying backward like he was hit with a cannonball, LeBron’s flops have been immortalized in memes and replay clips.

Some of the most notorious examples include:

• His 2013 Eastern Conference Finals flop against the Pacers where he collided with teammate Dwyane Wade.

• A 2021 regular-season game where he dropped like a sack of bricks after a light swipe by Chris Paul.

• And nearly every game against the Warriors during their Finals battles.

To his credit, LeBron often laughs it off—but his flopping has influenced a generation of younger players. When the game is on the line, even the King isn’t above a little acting.

4. Marcus Smart – The Modern-Day Master

If flopping was an Olympic sport, Marcus Smart would have multiple gold medals. The Boston Celtics guard brings tenacity, hustle—and a PhD-level mastery of the flop.

Smart is known for flinging himself across the floor on screens, falling like he’s been hit by a freight train, and flying backward when barely touched. He sells it well, using body language and exaggerated facial reactions to convince referees.

He’s also known for doing it on both ends—drawing offensive fouls on screens and selling contact on defense. Smart’s flopping has earned him ridicule from some fans and praise from coaches for his “savvy.”

Whether you think he’s a genius or a faker, there’s no denying that Marcus Smart is elite at the art of the flop.

5. Anderson Varejão – The Brazilian Whirlwind

Varejão brought more than wild hair and hustle to the Cavaliers—he brought some of the most cartoonish flops in league history.

He was constantly seen flying through the air after light bumps, collapsing on rebounds, or falling after barely getting grazed by a forearm. His antics were so regular that even referees started to stop buying into them.

The problem wasn’t just the flops—it was the frequency. Varejão’s highlight reels were filled with moments where he was either diving for a loose ball… or diving for a foul.

Still, his energy and effort made him a fan favorite in Cleveland—even if the flopping was polarizing.

6. Chris Paul – The Crafty Veteran

Chris Paul is often hailed as one of the smartest players in the NBA, and his flop game is no different.

He knows how to manipulate referees with timing, body control, and facial expressions. Paul will sell contact with the slightest bump, often snapping his head back or falling down with a delayed reaction.

He’s also a master of the “flop and glare” technique—flopping, then immediately turning to the ref with arms outstretched like, “You saw that, right?”

Paul’s leadership and IQ are legendary, but his flopping remains one of the more frustrating parts of his game—for both opponents and fans alike.

7. Dennis Rodman – The Psychological Flopper

Rodman’s flopping wasn’t just about getting calls—it was about mind games.

The “Worm” had a gift for baiting players into offensive fouls, often throwing himself to the ground and then pointing furiously at his opponent. He was great at mixing legitimate hustle plays with just enough exaggeration to draw a whistle.

In one classic clip, Rodman flopped after what looked like a ghost elbow from Karl Malone, falling to the ground like he’d been knocked out cold. Refs bought it. The Bulls gained the edge.

Rodman’s flopping was a mental weapon, used to destabilize opponents more than fool the officials.

8. Reggie Miller – The Flare of the Flop

Known for his clutch shooting and epic trash talk, Reggie Miller also had a reputation for the “leg kick” and the over-the-top flail.

Reggie had a knack for drawing fouls on three-point attempts by kicking his legs out or acting like he’d been shoved across the arc. It was theatrical—sometimes effective, always dramatic.

He helped pioneer the “shooter’s flop,” a tactic that would be mimicked by players like James Harden and Trae Young years later.

9. James Harden – The Contact Seeker

Flopping in the modern era got a new twist with James Harden, who didn’t just fall down—he initiated contact to set up the flop.

Harden was notorious for driving into defenders, hooking their arms, and flinging himself backward like he’d been assaulted. He perfected the three-point foul draw, leaning into defenders and throwing up wild shots that somehow resulted in free throws.

To be fair, Harden was a master of the rulebook. But his flopping caused such an uproar that the NBA changed its foul rules in 2021, explicitly targeting “unnatural shooting motions.”

That’s when you know your flopping has changed the game—for better or worse.

10. Derek Fisher – The Vet Who Took Charges Like a Champ

Derek Fisher was the glue guy for multiple Lakers championship teams, but he was also one of the most under-the-radar floppers of the 2000s.

He’d plant himself for charges, throw his arms up on screens, and collapse to the ground like he’d been struck by lightning. Fisher wasn’t flashy, but he was effective—and refs often rewarded his veteran guile with key calls.

One of his most memorable flops came in the playoffs, where a slight bump sent him tumbling backward with Olympic-level commitment.

He may not be the most talked-about, but Fisher belongs in the Flop Hall of Fame.

Honorable Mentions

• Paul Pierce – Overacted like a soap opera star during certain playoff moments.

• Kyle Lowry – A short king of selling contact and drawing offensive fouls.

• Raja Bell – Annoying defenders and sly flops were part of his DNA.

• Patrick Beverley – Tenacious D with the occasional theatrical twist.

• Joel Embiid – For a 7-footer, he sure hits the ground a lot.

The League’s Response

The NBA eventually had enough. In 2012, the league instituted fines for flopping, starting with warnings and escalating up to $5,000 or more for repeat offenders. While the rule hasn’t completely eliminated flopping, it has helped reduce some of the most egregious examples.

Still, with players always looking for an edge, flopping isn’t going anywhere. It’s part of the cat-and-mouse game between players, refs, and rules.

Final Thoughts

Flopping may be controversial, but it’s undeniably part of NBA history—and often part of the entertainment. From Divac to Harden, from Reggie Miller’s leg kicks to Marcus Smart’s defensive collapses, each player on this list added their own flavor to the art of the flop.

Some flopped to gain a competitive edge. Others turned it into part of their persona. But in every case, they left fans talking, replay clips rolling, and referees… well, occasionally fooled.

In a league that thrives on drama, a good flop might be the most underappreciated form of showbiz.