ESPN
In the ever-evolving debate over the athleticism of NBA and NFL players, former NBA player Austin Rivers has thrown a proverbial grenade into the sports world with his recent comments on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. Rivers, who has transitioned into an analyst role, boldly claimed that NBA players are the world’s best athletes and that thirty NBA players could successfully transition to the NFL, whereas the reverse would not hold true.
Let’s RELAX @AustinRivers25 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/HHghiMlr3R
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 7, 2024
This hot take has set the internet ablaze, with fans, athletes, and analysts from both sides of the aisle weighing in. The crux of Rivers’ argument is that the skill set of NBA players—highlighted by their height, speed, and overall athleticism—would allow them to adapt to the physical demands of football. Conversely, he suggests that NFL players lack the necessary skills to make it on the basketball court.
The response was swift and varied. Former NFL defensive end J.J. Watt humorously countered Rivers’ claim, stating that his own basketball capabilities would be limited to committing six hard fouls and calling it a day. Others have pointed out that while the NBA may require more refined skills, NFL players could leverage their physicality to succeed in basketball.
Rivers’ comments have reignited a longstanding debate about the athleticism required for each sport. While it’s a fun topic for sports radio and social media banter, it also underscores the unique and specialized talents that professional athletes possess in their respective domains.
Playing high-level football is the equivalent to getting into a car crash repeatedly for 60 minutes and saying “lets do it again next week”.
Respect to hoopers but naw
— Pro Dreamer (@aj_dawsonjr) May 7, 2024
I mean he’s right though. Name a football player who went on to have a great NBA career. One of the greatest tight ends of all time was a college basketball player
— Jerm (@BigBirdJerm) May 7, 2024
This basketball guy needs to chill out
— Manraj khaira (@Manrajkhaira3) May 7, 2024
Utterly ridiculous….not to mention meaningless
— JD Graff™ 〽️ (@jd_graff) May 7, 2024
Here we go again …
pic.twitter.com/eUhFvqdlvW https://t.co/pu2AmXqpzU
— New Heights (@newheightshow) May 7, 2024
A twitchy, 6’2″, long-armed corner w/elite lateral movement is every DB coach’s dream for a cover corner. In the NBA they’re back up PGs, 13th men, and on two-way contracts with the G League. https://t.co/56vmIjtPBW
— Bryceapalooza (@BryceBAdams) May 7, 2024
for the record, I could absolutely not play in the NBA.
6 hard fouls is about all I could give you and call it a day.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) May 7, 2024
I can’t wait for NFL dudes to be so mad even though this is UNDENIABLY true.
Just a different set of skill translation. I’m sure there are some great NFL basketball players, but this is a fun May sports radio topic if I’ve ever heard one. https://t.co/AAT8lAMWzb
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) May 7, 2024
This just shouldn’t be an argument.. there are plenty of college basketball players that couldn’t make it to the NBA but did make it to the NFL. https://t.co/NLhveQZYrF
— Josh Ruthenbeck (@JoshRuthenbeck) May 7, 2024
I feel like we have this conversation every 2-3 years https://t.co/Z0oL2DF7Hy
— Marquis Johnson (@__marquisj) May 7, 2024
Football is like 5 different sports happening simultaneously and (lucky for basketball players) one of them is being big and jumping up to grab something. So it makes sense more NBA players could play in the NFL, but definitely not 30 of them https://t.co/x2UvyekLFc
— Anthony Reinhard (@reinhardNFL) May 7, 2024
