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Watch: Nikola Jokic delivers another MVP-caliber flop
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Nikola Jokic delivers another MVP-caliber flop

Nikola Jokic did it all for the Nuggets in their OT win over the Clippers. Including flopping.

Jokic had 40 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and one totally egregious flop.

As Jamal Murray walked the ball up the court with 50 seconds left, Jokic bumped into a totally stationary Kawhi Leonard. Despite standing 6'11" and weighing 284 pounds, Jokic crumpled like he'd been hit by a 2x4. The referees were not swayed by Jokic's theatrics, and the possession ended with Jamal Murray missing a floater.

Jokic does face highly physical defense, as evidence by his scarred arms.

However, the contact with Kawhi Leonard was soft enough that the only thing that Jokic would is injure is his pride after watching the replay. He may have a bruised ego, but no actual damage.

While Jokic is highly skilled as a passer - he's second in the NBA in total assists - he's not as skilled as a thespian. Last month, a slight bump from Steven Adams sent him flying.

Last week against Cleveland, Jokic tried to flop when Jarrett Allen ran into him, but had to catch himself in order not to lose the ball, in case the referees didn't blow the whistle. (They didn't.)

And back in 2019, Jokic flopped so blatantly that even he couldn't bring himself to finish it and actually fall down.

In overtime, Jokic scored six points and drew two actual shooting fouls on the Clippers, both times after rebounding his own missed shot. He had eight offensive rebounds in the game, but the two in overtime were huge.

Jokic remains the frontrunner for MVP, despite all the flopping. After all, the 2018 MVP was a flopping legend. We should have known Jokic was a superstar when he pulled off a flop on the master himself, James Harden.

Nikola Jokic may lead the Denver Nuggets to the title this year. Just as long as no one breathes on him.

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