Best 'Actors' in the NBA

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The NBA has its fair share of actors, but some guys are simply better than the rest. This article is dedicated to those hard-working souls.

In today's NBA, players are competing at a higher level than ever and will do anything to get any edge they can against their opponent. That includes pretending to get hit when they are not really hit.

Some call it flopping, others call it gamesmanship. For the purposes of this slideshow, it is acting, and here are the NBA players best at it.

Manu Ginobili

Manu Ginobili has become one of the most prolific floppers in NBA history over his tenure with the San Antonio Spurs. This video is a clear illustration of just about much hate he has generated through his play.

Don't forget this though: The guy has also "acted" his way to three NBA championships.

Raja Bell

Raja Bell has built a reputation as a solid veteran defender, a decent outside shooter and was a key factor in the Phoenix Suns' success earlier in this decade. However, he has also become notorious for "acting."

As for the video here, this is what happens when two dominant "acting" forces meet head-to-head. The result doesn't disappoint, or maybe it does. I'm not sure how to describe it.

Chris Paul

Chris Paul is probably the smartest player in the NBA, which is why he has become such a good actor. Paul will do anything for an advantage, including outsmarting his opponent and using his smaller size to his advantage.

This video is a compilation of Paul's acting credits from a playoff game from a few years ago against San Antonio. The look on some of the Spurs' faces are priceless, but you have to give Paul credit. New Orleans pushed the Spurs to seven games in the series.

Anderson Varejao

Anderson Varejao is such an acting talent that he was ranked No. 1 in a Sports Illustrated poll of NBA players of the most notorious floppers...er..actors that is. Varejao is a solid defensive guy with a limited offensive game, so it makes sense he would need every advantage he could get.

This video is pretty funny. Derek Fisher is a foot smaller than Varejao, but he very easily pushing him out of the way. Oh wait...wow, that's some great acting!

Derek Fisher

Derek Fisher has come under a lot of criticism and scrutiny over the past year, especially during the wake of his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers. But no one could deny that the guy has Oscar-worthy talents.

Just check out this video in which Fisher basically dominants a game for three possessions just with pure acting gravitas. All good acting elicits an emotional response, and I think it is safe to say that the Celtics were having a strong emotional response to Fisher during this game.