Austin Rivers’ pronouncement that 30 NBA gamers might quickly make the shift to the NFL hasactually been fulfilled with terrific reaction in the football world.
Former NFL receiver James Jones signedupwith the chorus, going on a almost 90-second tirade contesting Rivers’ claim on “Speak.”
“Let’s simply get this straight: No. 1, they put in a flop guideline in the NBA since you guys are soft,” Jones started. “If you desired to state one man or perhaps Anthony Edwards might play security or something, I would’ve listened to you. You stated 30 guys. No. Put regard on our sport. It is not simply run, catch the ball and turn around. It ain’t simply hand the ball off and do that.
Rivers reacted in brief order.
Jones used a swift counterclaim to Rivers Thursday.
“You’re 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, perhaps you needto’ve attempted football. You may’ve had a muchbetter profession, homeboy, duetothefactthat basketball wasn’t your profession,” Jones stated, as Kendrick Lamar’s hit single “Not like us” blasted behind him.
While Jones took a severe position versus Rivers’ take, the “First Things First” team was infact a bit more understanding. Former NFL receiver Greg Jennings infact concurred when Nick Wright stated that Rivers “almost has a point.”
“I might see some guys in the NBA right now being able to play in an NFL videogame,” Jennings stated. “How long they last, if they can play an whole season, certainly altering their bodies — that all matters. But, if we were to take them as they are, the shape that they’re in, the physical capabilities that they presently have, there’s a coupleof guys.”
There is a reasonable quantity of precedent for basketball gamers making their method into the NFL. Most of them were two-way gamers in college, consistingof Terrell Owens, Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, Julius Peppers, Donovan McNabb and Antwaan Randle El being amongst the most noteworthy.
In addition to that list, some have recommended that NC State basketball star DJ Burns Jr. might be the next to make the switch. However, Burns hasactually mentioned a desire to stay a basketball gamer even however NFL scouts apparently revealed a desire to work him out.
Though the “First Things First” team concurred that the number of gamers Rivers stated might make the dive was too high, Wright started to make a football lineup of NBA gamers. Here’s who made his list and where he jobs they would play in the NFL:
Boston Celtics F Jaylen Brown: Defensive end
Minnesota Timberwolves G Anthony Edwards: Running back or security
Denver Nuggets F Aaron Gordon: Tight end
New York Knicks G/F Josh Hart: Wide receiver
Los Angeles Lakers F LeBron James: Tight end or defensive end
LA Clippers G Russell Westbrook: Running back or security
New Orleans Pelicans F Zion Williamson: Tight end
“Jaylen Brown I put at defensive end duetothefactthat that’s what Chris Long stated,” Wright started, discussing his choices. “Anthony Edwards, I put at running back or security. Aaron Gordon’s going to be a Jimmy Graham-style tight end. Josh Hart with his rebounding and his strength, I idea can be a WR3. LeBron, defensive end or tight end — moreyouthful LeBron, not age 39 LeBron.
“Russell Westbrook, running back or security. I’m not being a jerk here, I mean this about Zion: I think Zion with his feet and [if he] put on weight[could be an offensive tackle] He’s 6-foot-6, insane professionalathlete with active feet. A Jason Peters-style offensive takeon.”
Chris Broussard disagreed with Wright’s idea that Gordon might play in the NFL due to his height (6-foot-10), however tossed out a set of smallersized gamers he believes might make the switch.
“Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson,” Broussard stated. “They’re constructed a little bit. They’re 6-1, which doesn’t appear huge in basketball, however in football, might they be a defensive back? A security?”
As for the flipside, there hasn’t been an NFL gamer who has played in the NBA. In reality, on Wednesday, ex-receiver Devin Funchess endedupbeing the veryfirst previous NFL gamer to ever indication a expert basketball agreement, concurring to a offer with the Caribbean Storm Llaneros in the Professional Colombia Basketball league.
Wright and Jennings concurred that there are some NFL gamers who have basketball skill, however their relative absence of height would make it hard to prosper in the NBA.
“When I appearance at NFL guys, how we’re configured, it’s hard,” Jennings stated. “The size in the NFL [compared to] the size in the NBA. We’ve all seen Myles Garrett playing and soaking; he would be Charles Barkley in the NBA. I puton’t understand if he might do that in the NBA.”
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