Bam Adebayo Goes Against Fan Narrative and Puts End to Nikola Jokic ‘Flopping’ Claims

Bam Adebayo was full of praise for three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic after their recent encounter.

Bam Adebayo Goes Against Fan Narrative and Puts End to Nikola Jokic ‘Flopping’ Claims

Bam Adebayo (Left) and Nikola Jokic (Right) (Image credits - Firstsportz)

Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo and Nikola Jokic went head-to-head once again on Monday night. It was their second meeting of the season after Jokic put in a masterclass in their first meeting. But it was Adebayo who came out on top as the Miami Heat recorded a convincing 147-123 victory over the Denver Nuggets at the Kaseya Center.

While it was a disappointing loss for the Nuggets, the real concern for them will be the injury sustained to Nikola Jokic‘s knee late in the first half. Till he was ruled out for the rest of the game, he had already scored 21 points to go along with five rebounds and eight assists. With Aaron Gordon already ruled out, the Nuggets may be in some trouble if Jokic stays out for a while.

The Nuggets suffered consecutive defeats for the first time this season, losing to the Orlando Magic on Saturday night. The back-to-back losses have cost their chances of overtaking the San Antonio Spurs who have lost two games in a row as well.

The Nuggets are currently placed at third in the Western Conference standings with a 22-10 record, while the Heat have climbed to sixth position in the Eastern Conference standings with an 18-15 record and are on a three-match winning streak.

It is hard to imagine that a three-time league MVP can improve even further, and that is exactly what Jokic has done this season. The Serbian is one of the frontrunners for the league MVP award this season and would join an elite list if he manages to claim it for the fourth time. The Nuggets center is currently averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11 assists in what could be a historic campaign.

Heat center Bam Adebayo complimented the Joker in the post-match press conference and shut down the flopping claims when it comes to the Serb.

Its always fun playing against him. You see how he makes his teammates better, you see the greatness. One thing I like about it is its competition. At the end of the day, he’s one of those guys that don’t really flop/foul bait, and I truly respect that. You hate to see guys go out, but you gotta figure how you keep your team, your foot on the gas and keep trying to get the W.

Jokic has often been accused of arguing with the referees when calls do not go in his favor. Something even he has acknowledged and promised to control his emotions before the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

Jaylen Brown on NBA stars flopping

There is no doubt that Jokic is a special player and has received several praises from NBA legends and players over the years. But the seven-time NBA All-Star has faced criticism over the years for his foul-baiting and flopping attempts.

Not just Jokic, even other stars such as reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have been under the scanner for their frequent trips to the free-throw line. The issue has been a concern for the NBA as several stars often get away with it. Lack of consistent foul calls by the referees plays a role as well in fans’ frustrations.

Boston Celtics star and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown has been critical of these foul-baiting attempts by various players. In a recent interview with content creator DDG, some players were named who take foul-baiting to the extreme.

There’s a difference between drawing a foul and flopping. Everybody does it…Embiid, Harden, Luka, Jokic, LeBron. LeBron be flopping.

Brown has been critical of former MVPs for selling their souls to win MVPs in his live stream; hence, it is not surprising to see him being critical of these players.

Jamal Murray worried about Nikola Jokic’s knee injury

The Nuggets go as far as Jokic takes them. What makes Jokic special beyond his otherworldly performances is his ability to stay injury-free. Since being drafted into the NBA in 2014 as the 41st pick, the 30-year-old has rarely missed time due to injuries. It is his availability in almost every game that makes him stand out from the rest.

Since his ankle sprain, which ruled him out for seven games in 2017, he has not missed five games in a row due to injury. The fewest games he has played in a season was in the 2022-23 campaig,n where he featured in 69 games. This season as well, Jokic has played in 31 out of a possible 32 games.

Jamal Murray and Jokic
Jamal Murray and Jokic in the NBA Finals; Via- NBA history on Twitter

His teammate Jamal Murray knows a thing or two about knee injuries. He suffered an ACL injury in 2021, which led him to miss the entire 2021-22 season. After the match, Murray spoke to the media about what he felt after Jokic’s knee injury.

I just wish the best. The first thing that went through my mind was I hope it’s not what I had. Obviously, it’s part of the game, but we never want to see it happen. So I’ll talk to him soon.

During Jokic’s absence, much of the offensive burden will fall on Murray, who is having a career-best campaign and has a good chance of being nominated for his first NBA All-Star Game.

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