NBA players are the greatest athletes in the world, at least according to former 11-year league veteran Austin Rivers.
The former guard stirred up the pot with his comments on “The Pat McAfee Show,” positing that it was much easier to make it as a professional athlete in the NFL than the NBA.
“I can take 30 players right now from the NBA and throw them in the NFL,” Rivers said. “You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the NBA.”
Rivers’ comment was met by derision from most of the NFL community, but his stance is not a particularly novel one. The debate has been made many times before, and the Kelce brothers have taken the same stand.
The two sports require many different skill sets, so it’s a bit silly to argue. What’s not up for debate is that it is much more difficult to make an NBA roster, for a number of reasons. First, there are way less jobs available given that there are fewer NBA teams and far less roster spots. Second, NBA players are paid better, pushing two-sport athletes into basketball if they can make it there. And third, NBA careers are generally longer, leading to more overall career earnings.
“I don’t think any [NFL players] are good enough to play in the NBA, otherwise they’d be playing in the NBA,” Jason Kelce noted on his podcast.
There are for sure nowhere near 30 NFL athletes who could play in the NBA, and there might not be 30 NBA athletes who could make a similar transition. But here’s 30 NBA guys who we’d like to see try.
MORE: 30 NFL players we’d like to see in the NBA
LeBron has to be the first guy on this list. At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, he would be a killer tight end. He played football for two years in high school and received recruiting interest, but basketball was always the goal.
MORE: LeBron James’ high school football career: The stats, the highlights and the NFL offers years later
Edwards has called football his first love, once telling ESPN that he would have gone into the NFL if he’d have been drafted. He’s one of the most athletic players in the league at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds with a 41.5 inch vertical.
Suggs was a star quarterback in high school and is distantly connected to NFL star Terrell Suggs. He was the No. 15 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 2 player in the state of Minnesota per 247Sports’ Composite rankings. He became the first athlete in Minnesota high school history to be named Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball in the same season.
The Greek Freak’s leaping ability and speed would make him a great receiving threat.
He’d make a tremendous defensive tackle at 284 pounds and nimble feet.
HIs massive frame and athleticism would make him a killer lineman.
Nobody could outleap Morant to catch a pass. His blazing speed would make him a great receiver or running back.
Green would have the mindset for the NFL, and his shooting wouldn’t be such a roadblock. He would be a great linebacker.
His seven foot wingspan and great shadowing technique would make him a natural cornerback.
At seven feet tall and 290 pounds, Nurkic is one of the biggest bodies in the NBA. He’d be a great lineman.
Boban’s 7-foot-4 height and 290 pounds has given him a side gig as an action star in John Wick movies. He’s one of the largest human beings on the planet and would be a handful to try and move. Also, you want to try and kick a field goal over this guy?
