Austin Rivers has the utmost confidence in NBA players’ athleticism — but that confidence earned him some criticism on social media. The 11-year NBA veteran, who last played for the Timberwolves during the 2022-23 season, believes 30 NBA players could play in the NFL, but 30 NFL players could not play in the NBA, or so he said Tuesday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.” “I can take 30 players right now in the NBA and throw them in the NFL.Best porn XXX. You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the NBA.”- Austin Rivers(Via @PatMcAfeeShow / h/t @ESPNNBA ) pic.twitter.com/r5RbZ94pt4 Rivers’ hot take is the latest in a long history of NFL vs. NBA comparisons. LeBron James, in particular, has been at the forefront of these debates; the Lakers star even said Jerry Jones offered him a contract with the Dallas Cowboys during the 2011 NBA lockout. Heat star Jimmy Butler also caught flak for believing he could make it in the NFL because, in his own words: “I’m fast and I have great hands. I can really catch.” Rivers took it a step further this time. And he has received backlash from NFL athletes, celebrities and fans alike because of it. Soon after Rivers appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show,” his quote started making the rounds on social media. J.J. Watt quickly jabbed back at Rivers, as the former NFL defensive end challenged the former NBA player to make an NFL team. “You don’t got a job in either right now, go head and try it…” Watt posted on X. Watt followed up, admitting that he couldn’t play in the NBA: “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.” 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. Mina Kimes, an NFL reporter for ESPN, chimed in on the debate with a parody of Rivers’ take. Forget the NBA, can 30 NFL players take on the Minion Ice Cave from the “Despicable Me” movie franchise? I can take 30 Minions right now and throw them in the NFL. You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the Minion Ice Cave. jmt Even MLB was roped into the discussion, as one fan posted a video of former NFL and MLB athletes in a dunk contest. Since Austin Rivers is saying this nonsense I’ll just leave this here. NFL and MLB players in a dunk contest.. Let’s see NBA players have a double derby, not even a homerun derby. Or play third and defensive line 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/rAMoAHMNmG https://t.co/NN2BDHmYZm Others continue to clown the NBA veteran for his ridiculous take, from former NFL wide receiver Randy Moss to fans. WOW really? https://t.co/kcRq6VSE1Y Austin rivers first nfl game: pic.twitter.com/ne5aTRwMkX Meanwhile, former Rams, Eagles and Patriots defensive end Chris Long opined NBA players wouldn’t even make it through NFL training camp. He cited practice conditions, coaching relationships and lack of load management as the major differences NBA players would have a tough time navigating. Some fans have agreed with Rivers, however. They believe NBA players’ height, speed and general athleticism translates from basketball to football. Austin Rivers is 100% right here more NBA players could play pro football than NFL players could play pro basketball. EASILY.All the skills, hand-eye coordination, regular coordination, fluidity, athleticism, speed, etc that NBA players need translates to football like that. https://t.co/ws8ZEOFYLe And even former NFL player turned analyst Ross Tucker believes Rivers’ take is partially correct. The only issue Tucker takes with it? NBA players need a lot of training before they could join the NFL ranks and make an impact. “Austin Rivers was right…”“But he was also very very wrong.”@LabattUSA #ad MSG21+ pic.twitter.com/zs7xZyJ3TN Brendan O’Sullivan is an editorial intern for Sporting News.
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