Austin Rivers' claim that 30 NBA players could transition to the NFL has been met with strong resistance in the football world, with former NFL receiver James Jones launching a nearly 90-second rant disputing the notion.
Austin Rivers' recent assertion that 30 NBA players could effortlessly make the switch to the NFL has ignited fierce backlash within the football community. Former NFL receiver James Jones vehemently refuted Rivers' claim, asserting that NBA players lack the requisite toughness and physicality for the gridiron.
"No. 1, they put in a flop rule in the NBA because you guys are soft," Jones asserted. "It ain't just run, catch the ball and turn around. It ain't just hand the ball off and do that."
Rivers promptly countered Jones' criticism, but Jones retaliated with an equally swift rebuttal.
"You're 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, maybe you should've tried football. You might've had a better career, homeboy, because basketball wasn't your career," Jones jabbed, with Kendrick Lamar's anthem "Not like us" echoing in the background.
While Jones' stance was adamantly against Rivers' take, the "First Things First" crew exhibited a more open-minded approach. Former NFL receiver Greg Jennings concurred with Nick Wright's suggestion that Rivers "almost has a point."
"I could see some guys in the NBA right now being able to play in an NFL game," Jennings acknowledged. "How long they last, if they can play an entire season, obviously changing their bodies — that all matters. But, if we were to take them as they are, the shape that they're in, the physical abilities that they currently have, there's a few guys."
Historically, there have been notable examples of basketball players transitioning to the NFL, showcasing their exceptional athleticism and adaptability. Terrell Owens, Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, Julius Peppers, Donovan McNabb, and Antwaan Randle El stand out as some of the most successful dual-sport athletes.
Despite the precedent, the "First Things First" crew unanimously agreed that Rivers' estimate of 30 players making the transition was excessive. However, Wright proceeded to assemble a hypothetical NFL roster composed of NBA stars:
* Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics F): Defensive end
* Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves G): Running back or safety
* Aaron Gordon (Denver Nuggets F): Tight end
* Josh Hart (New York Knicks G/F): Wide receiver
* LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers F): Tight end or defensive end
* Russell Westbrook (LA Clippers G): Running back or safety
* Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans F): Tight end
Wright's selections were based on an amalgamation of physical attributes, player profiles, and comparability to existing NFL players.
Contrarily, there have been no known instances of an NFL player transitioning to the NBA. On the contrary, ex-receiver Devin Funchess recently became the first former NFL player to sign a professional basketball contract in the Colombian Professional Basketball League.
While Wright and Jennings acknowledged that certain NFL players possess basketball skills, they emphasized the disparity in physical dimensions as a significant obstacle to success in the NBA.
"The size in the NFL [compared to] the size in the NBA. We've all seen Myles Garrett playing and dunking; he would be Charles Barkley in the NBA," Jennings remarked. "I don't know if he could do that in the NBA."
