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    • The Kings of Flop: Rating the Biggest Floppers in NBA History

    by admin in NBA | Comments Off on The Kings of Flop: Rating the Biggest Floppers in NBA History

    In recent times, flopping has become  a major issue of concern in NBA due to  its extensive  use. A great number of players are doing it regularly without realising the fact that this style of play can harm their reputation. The purpose of flopping is obviously to deceive a referee by  exaggerating a contact like falling down on the floor intentionally even after the slightest touch with the opposing player and force the ref to call a foul but flopping is not limitated to just one trick. It has many aspects, methods and ploys. On the other hand, floppers also differ from each other in many respects. Some players do flopping frequently and some occasionaly. Some are just ordinary fakers while some are extremely skillful in this art. Here we have ranked the biggest floppers in NBA history, the players who are real floppers in any sense of the term.

    1) Vlade Divac

    In any list of NBA floppers, you will certainly find the name of Vlade Divac. This Serb defender is widely regarded as one of the biggest floppers in NBA history. He was the master of this craft and an habitual doer of flopping. He used his tactics mostly against the physically gigantic offensive players especially Shaquille O,Neal.  Some former players credited him as the father of flopping, though it was not him who introduced it but he certainly took it to such a level which was unmatchable by any player of his time and even by any player today .

    2) Bill Laimbeer

    Bill Laimbeer was a good player but he is remembered more for his flopping than his on court play. He was the member of the Detroit Pistons “Bad Boys” team of 1980s that was infamous for the dirty play. Throwing elbows, colliding with other player when he was about to shoot and deliberately sprawling on the ground after a contact were the common tricks he used during the play. His aggressive attitude and physical play made him notorious in front of the NBA fans and earned him a reputation as a flopper. He was hated and booed  by the crowd every time he entered any court outside the Detroit premises. For his notorious play, he was nicknamed the Prince of Darkness , a Street Thug, an ax Murderer and his Heinous. He was among those floppers who exaggerate even a lightest contact and  smash themselves on the ground in hope to draw a foul.

    3) Reggie Miller

    Reggie Miller was not only an excellent three point shooter but also an expert in  flopping and trash talk. He was a versatile player who could play multiple positions on the court and also knew multiple tricks of flopping in both offense and defense.  He invented different ways to make a contact with other players and also used different techniques of falling down on the floor as a reaction to that contact. He always argued with the refs if they blow whistle against him.

    4) Anderson Varejao

    Anderson Varejao is the only active player in my list of all time greatest floppers. The 29 year old Brazilian is the king of modern day flopping and a specialist in drawing offensive fouls. An opinion poll was conducted among the NBA players last year which indicated that Anderson Varejao is the most annoying flopper in NBA today. He is critised not only for his flopping but also for its exsessive use. Though his acting looks completely fake, still most of the times he manages to convince referees to call an offensive foul in his favor.

    5) John Stockton

    John Stockton is considered one of the best point guards of all time who leads NBA in career assists and steals. It is a strange thing that a player of his caliber played dirty as well.  Stockton played hard and tough throughout his career. At times his aggressive approach and tenacity crossed the line and  earned  him a reputation as a dirty player. It is true that he did flopping but with a  flair without using violent blows.

    6) Dennis Rodman

    Dennis Rodman, one of the best defensive players of all time and the king of rebounds was a great flopper as well. He exaggerated contact on many times in his career especially his ability to threw himself backwards looked quite spectacular. He also pulled off many tricks to irritate the opposing players. Overall he had a repution as a dirty player who believes on kicking, pushing, grabbing and hitting.

    7) Robert Horry

    Robert Horry is mostly acknowledged as an efficient clutch player but no one can discount the fact that he was also an expert in dramatization and faking. Many incidents indcated that he exaggerated the contact with opposing players but his flopping was not reckless like some other players e.g Dennis Rodman. He was smart player both in his flopping and play.




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