Jaylen Brown has drawn widespread attention after openly criticizing flopping among NBA superstars. In an interview with DDG, the Boston Celtics forward stated, “Everyone does it. A lot of the offensive players do it,” highlighting a trend that stretches to the league’s elite.
Brown specifically named Joel Embiid, James Harden, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and LeBron James as players frequently exaggerating contact. These figures are not fringe competitors but MVPs, champions, and central faces of the NBA, emphasizing that flopping extends to the highest level.
“It’s difference between drawing a foul and flopping,” he added. “But the reality is I feel like unless you flop, the officials won’t give you the call.”
From a statistical standpoint, the players Brown cited remain among the league’s top scorers in the 2025-26 season. Doncic leads the NBA with 35.2 points per game while also averaging 9.1 assists. Jokic contributes 29.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 10.9 assists, reinforcing his status as Denver’s central playmaker. Harden ranks 12th in scoring at 26 points per game while serving as a primary facilitator for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Brown himself ranks sixth in scoring with 29.3 points per game and averages 6.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists. His dual-threat role allows him to contribute on both ends while relying on physical finishes rather than drawing fouls excessively. Boston currently holds a 15-11 record, sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference.
The issue of flopping also intersects with rising league-wide scoring, as multiple players are averaging over 30 points per game. This scoring environment creates incentives for offensive stars to exaggerate contact to gain an edge on drives, pull-ups, and isolation plays.
