Toumani Camara’s Anti-Flop Approach Pushes Him Toward an Unlikely NBA Record

The Portland Trail Blazers entered the season searching for developmental wins, and forward Toumani Camara has provided one in a way that feels almost retro. While the league often rewards theatrics and exaggerated contact, Camara has carved out value by doing the opposite: staying upright, bracing for hits, and using discipline to create turnovers.

His technique refocuses attention on a quieter, subtler form of toughness. Rather than sliding under a screen and tumbling backward for emphasis, Camara absorbs contact with balance and anticipation. In a league increasingly mindful of flopping, his approach offers a refreshing contrast.

Over the last several weeks, he has drawn a series of illegal screens without relying on embellishment. The discrepancy between how often he earns calls and how rarely he hits the floor has quickly become one of Portland’s most intriguing statistical quirks.

For a rebuilding Trail Blazers team searching for identity and consistency, Camara’s steady rise underscores how small defensive skills can have a meaningful effect on possessions — and potentially on the record books.

1. A Unique Blend of Timing, Balance and Toughness

Camara’s ability to stay upright against heavy contact has become his signature defensive skill. In the past three weeks alone, he has drawn nine illegal screens while falling just once — a ratio that stands out in a league where minor bumps often send players sprawling. The key lies in his timing. Camara sprints into position before opposing bigs fully establish their screens, giving him the leverage advantage when contact comes. Rather than bracing stiffly, he leans and absorbs force in a way that softens impact without disrupting balance. That balance gives officials an unobstructed look at the infraction. When a defender stays on his feet, the screener’s movement becomes more obvious, making illegal screens easier to whistle. Camara’s discipline effectively magnifies his understanding of angles and anticipation. The result is a defensive tool both dependable and replicable, the type of craft that can tilt possessions in Portland’s favor despite the team’s broader growing pains.

2. Chasing an Unlikely Place in the Record Books

Camara built this foundation last season, when he led the league with 91 offensive fouls drawn. This year, his pace has accelerated, pushing him toward a projected 129 — a number that would shatter the single-season record since tracking began in 1999. What makes the pursuit more compelling is how he’s doing it. No player has ever reached triple digits in the category, let alone threatened the mark without aggressive flopping. Camara appears poised to become the first. The potential record speaks to his consistent willingness to take contact, but also to his restraint. While the league has increasingly cracked down on theatrical falls, Camara’s game has remained grounded — literally and stylistically. For Portland, his rise provides measurable value on a roster still searching for defensive cornerstones. Every offensive foul he forces represents an extra possession and a moment of stability for a young team learning its way.

3. Impact on a Rebuilding Team

For the Trail Blazers, incremental advantages matter. Camara’s screen defense has helped create pockets of momentum in games where Portland fights to establish rhythm and identity amid a competitive Western Conference. His approach sets a tone, emphasizing effort, commitment and integrity in defensive actions — traits head coach Chauncey Billups has tried to instill throughout the roster. Camara’s consistency demonstrates how small, repeatable skills can shape outcomes over time. As Portland continues its long-term rebuild, players who bring reliable habits hold particular value. Camara has provided that through a combination of intensity and discipline, traits coaches often cite when discussing foundational contributors. With his defensive craft becoming increasingly recognized across the league, attention now shifts to what lies ahead. If Camara maintains his pace without sacrificing the anti-flop identity that makes him distinct, he may soon stand alone atop a record few ever imagined being chased.