The whole NFL players in NBA debate going on... (1 Viewer)

[offdee]

This is such a silly debate. Of course Austin Rivers is correct. It's been proven with high level college bball players like Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez, Julius Peppers, etc. to make the transition to the NFL. Current players like Zion Williamson, LeBron James, Jalen Suggs, etc would make an NFL team.

NFL scouts literally try to actively find athletic/size basketball players that they think can make the switch to football. Football players have a specific skill set....run fast and catch. Run fast and tackle. Be big and block. That's not the case at all for NBA players...you need to have such a diverse skillset and size combo to be able to even sniff an NBA training camp to try to make a team.

Then it just comes down to sheer numbers....the NBA has 450 total spots available. The NFL has 1,700 total spots available. It's much harder to be in the NBA than it is the NFL. And salaries in each league support that scarcity in talent.

There's MAYBE 3 guys in the NFL that could see an NBA court. Even that many is doubtful. 30?!? that's a joke.

 

[offdee]

Dan Orlovsky’s list of 30 below Devonta Smith? Tyreek Hill?! Chris Jones?!!??111? Get TF outta here.

These guys all get cooked by Chris Brown (singer/rapper) at celebrity bball games.

——

Easy 30

Demarcus Lawrence
Devonta Smith
Hop
Hutch
Fields
Wilkins
Mark Andrews
Garrett Wilson
Lamar
Buckner
Amon-Ra
Diggs Brothers
Brian Burns
Mike Evans
Kupp
Chase
Jalen Ramsey
Ceedee
CMC
Herbert
TJ watt
Derrick henry
Sauce
AJ brown
Myles Garrett
Kittle
Crosby
Chris Jones
Micah
Tyreek
Stroud
Mahomes
Kelce

 

[Doug B]

There's MAYBE 3 guys in the NFL that could see an NBA court.

Was the proposition:

a) Current NFL guys that could contribute to an NBA roster right this second,

or

b) Current NFL guys that, had they decided differently before high school, could have developed into NBA roster contributors?

 

[TLEF316]

Yeah, silly debate. Someone with the necessary athletic floor(and the elite NBA athletes are far better than that) has at least a decent chance of picking up the necessary skills to make an nfl roster at certain positions (tight end being the obvious example)

While the nba obviously requires athleticism....it is mostly a skill game (both physical and mental).

There are probably a few nfl players who could have gotten there I'd they'd focused on it but going the other way is 1,000,000x easier. There are actual examples to point to.(in terms of big bodies that pick up football in the 20's and still get to the league)

 

[offdee]

There's MAYBE 3 guys in the NFL that could see an NBA court.

Was the proposition:

a) Current NFL guys that could contribute to an NBA roster right this second,

or

b) Current NFL guys that, had they decided differently before high school, could have developed into NBA roster contributors?

Austin Rivers started the debate with a tweet that basically said “could drop 30 current NBA players right now into the NFL”. So it’s your option A

 

[offdee]

Victor Wembanyama would be a red zone cheat code with the NFL rules. He has enough quickness and athleticism to just get off the line and all you need to do is just throw it high in his vicinity.

 

[Gally]

Victor Wembanyama would be a red zone cheat code with the NFL rules. He has enough quickness and athleticism to just get off the line and all you need to do is just throw it high in his vicinity.

It would be great seeing him in football pads and moving around. I agree that in the redzone he would be unstoppable (if he gets off the line).

 

[Fat Nick]

Victor Wembanyama would be a red zone cheat code with the NFL rules. He has enough quickness and athleticism to just get off the line and all you need to do is just throw it high in his vicinity.

...For one play...until someone dives at his knees and the sheer leverage of the length of your legs when you are 7' plus works against you and your knees get ripped to shreds.

 

[offdee]

All the NFL meatheads argument automatically go to the “toughness” factor and how NBA players couldn’t handle the hits and violence of the NFL game. I think if 175lb string bean Devonta Smith can handle it, the NBA players will be just fine.

 

[offdee]

Victor Wembanyama would be a red zone cheat code with the NFL rules. He has enough quickness and athleticism to just get off the line and all you need to do is just throw it high in his vicinity.

...For one play...until someone dives at his knees and the sheer leverage of the length of your legs when you are 7' plus works against you and your knees get ripped to shreds.

There’s NFL rules against that. Any NFL athlete that dives at another players knees with the intention of hurting would shred ligaments regularly.

 

[jvdesigns2002]

I think NBA players would perform better in the NFL than vice versa. With that said, I dont think there is anything close to 30 on each side that could jump into the opposing sport and be any sort of immediate difference maker.

 

[offdee]

I think NBA players would perform better in the NFL than vice versa. With that said, I dont think there is anything close to 30 on each side that could jump into the opposing sport and be any sort of immediate difference maker.

Completely disagree. Put any 6’10” or taller NBA guy with thickness and athleticism (and there’s plenty of them in the NBA) and they instantly have a role as a niche weapon in the red zone. And that’s the big difference….NFL you can get away with having a limited elite skill set. You don’t have to play defense. You just need to be big, box out, jump and catch (which somewhat equates to a rebounding/alley oop skill they already intuitively have).

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I think you're probably right that it's a lot easier to go from the NBA to the NFL than vice versa.

Then again, the NBA is unwatchable dreck, so what do I care?

 

[Don Quixote]

Yeah, silly debate. Someone with the necessary athletic floor(and the elite NBA athletes are far better than that) has at least a decent chance of picking up the necessary skills to make an nfl roster at certain positions (tight end being the obvious example)

While the nba obviously requires athleticism....it is mostly a skill game (both physical and mental).

There are probably a few nfl players who could have gotten there I'd they'd focused on it but going the other way is 1,000,000x easier. There are actual examples to point to.(in terms of big bodies that pick up football in the 20's and still get to the league)

Yeah. Someone like Mo-Alie Cox comes to mind. Good player at VCU, but got no interest from the NBA. Signed with Colts despite not playing football since a freshman in high school. Not a hugely successful career, but has been able to hang around the league for 7 years.

 

[jhib]

I think NBA players would perform better in the NFL than vice versa. With that said, I dont think there is anything close to 30 on each side that could jump into the opposing sport and be any sort of immediate difference maker.

Completely disagree. Put any 6’10” or taller guy with thickness and some athleticism (and there’s plenty of them in the NBA) and they instantly have a role as a niche weapon in the red zone. And that’s the big difference….NFL you can get away with having a limited elite skill set. You don’t have to play defense. You just need to be big, box out, jump and catch (which somewhat equates to a rebounding/alley oop skill they already intuitively have).

If this were true, you'd think there would be at least one 6'10" or taller guy on every NFL team. Instead, there have only been like 3 NFL players ever that were that tall.

 

[offdee]

I think NBA players would perform better in the NFL than vice versa. With that said, I dont think there is anything close to 30 on each side that could jump into the opposing sport and be any sort of immediate difference maker.

Completely disagree. Put any 6’10” or taller guy with thickness and some athleticism (and there’s plenty of them in the NBA) and they instantly have a role as a niche weapon in the red zone. And that’s the big difference….NFL you can get away with having a limited elite skill set. You don’t have to play defense. You just need to be big, box out, jump and catch (which somewhat equates to a rebounding/alley oop skill they already intuitively have).

If this were true, you'd think there would be at least one 6'10" or taller guy on every NFL team. Instead, there have only been like 3 NFL players ever that were that tall.

Because if they were that tall, thick, quick twitch and athletic they’d be in the NBA getting paid exponentially more. Its not just about being tall.

I’m not saying these kind of guys grow on trees and are out there for the taking. But what I am saying is almost all of those guys alive are in the NBA.

 

[Mister CIA]

Do jockeys and figure skaters next.

 

[offdee]

Do jockeys and figure skaters next.

Will need Chet to chime in on that one.

 

[jhib]

I think NBA players would perform better in the NFL than vice versa. With that said, I dont think there is anything close to 30 on each side that could jump into the opposing sport and be any sort of immediate difference maker.

Completely disagree. Put any 6’10” or taller guy with thickness and some athleticism (and there’s plenty of them in the NBA) and they instantly have a role as a niche weapon in the red zone. And that’s the big difference….NFL you can get away with having a limited elite skill set. You don’t have to play defense. You just need to be big, box out, jump and catch (which somewhat equates to a rebounding/alley oop skill they already intuitively have).

If this were true, you'd think there would be at least one 6'10" or taller guy on every NFL team. Instead, there have only been like 3 NFL players ever that were that tall.

Because is they were that tall, thick, quick twitch and athletic they’d be in the NBA getting paid exponentially more.

Oh, I thought they just had to have "thickness and some athleticism."

 

[the moops]

I think NBA players would perform better in the NFL than vice versa. With that said, I dont think there is anything close to 30 on each side that could jump into the opposing sport and be any sort of immediate difference maker.

If you took the best 30 from each side, I think the NBA players on a football field would look less out of place than vice versa. Not saying they would be a difference maker though. I think once a non-NBA player is on the court it would be almost immediately obvious they didn't belong

 

[offdee]

I think once a non-NBA player is on the court it would be almost immediately obvious they didn't belong

Yeah it would be ridiculous. Just look at the recent NBA all star celebrity game where all the talk was how good CJ Stroud was at bball (and one of the players on Orlovslys list). His jumper is absolutely busted.

Being “good” at basketball is about 30 levels lower than what the worst NBA player is.

 

[offdee]

I think NBA players would perform better in the NFL than vice versa. With that said, I dont think there is anything close to 30 on each side that could jump into the opposing sport and be any sort of immediate difference maker.

Completely disagree. Put any 6’10” or taller guy with thickness and some athleticism (and there’s plenty of them in the NBA) and they instantly have a role as a niche weapon in the red zone. And that’s the big difference….NFL you can get away with having a limited elite skill set. You don’t have to play defense. You just need to be big, box out, jump and catch (which somewhat equates to a rebounding/alley oop skill they already intuitively have).

If this were true, you'd think there would be at least one 6'10" or taller guy on every NFL team. Instead, there have only been like 3 NFL players ever that were that tall.

Because is they were that tall, thick, quick twitch and athletic they’d be in the NBA getting paid exponentially more.

Oh, I thought they just had to have "thickness and some athleticism."

Yep you got me on that one…bad wording originally. I edited my original post…

Put any 6’10” or taller NBA guy with thickness and athleticism (and there’s plenty of them in the NBA) and they instantly have a role as a niche weapon in the red zone.

 

[dgreen]

I think the specialization aspect is key here. While I think a guy like Wemby would struggle to get off the line to be a successful specialist, there are certainly plenty of NBA players who could be better at it. Back in the day, I'd probably argue that there are plenty of NFL players who could specialize in something like rebounding. But, today's game requires each player to do so many different things. There just aren't many guys on the floor at any given time who can't dribble and shoot decently.

 

[offdee]

I think the specialization aspect is key here. While I think a guy like Wemby would struggle to get off the line to be a successful specialist, there are certainly plenty of NBA players who could be better at it. Back in the day, I'd probably argue that there are plenty of NFL players who could specialize in something like rebounding. But, today's game requires each player to do so many different things. There just aren't many guys on the floor at any given time who can't dribble and shoot decently.

Yep. Just look at Rudy Gobert in this present series against Nicola Jokic. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year and is getting cooked by Jokic. And since Gobert has no offensive game he’s a liability and not even playing end of games. Let me say that again…the Defensive Player of the Year is losing time when the game counts because he’s not well rounded. The NBA is just on another level of how good you need to be at so many things to be on the floor.

 

[Jayrod]

As Brian Scalabrine once said, "I'm closer to LeBron James than you are to me".

The skill level in the NBA is insane, especially now that the sport is global.

 

[Capella]

As Brian Scalabrini once said, "I'm closer to LeBron James than you are to me".

Coldest line of all-time

 

[offdee]

While I think a guy like Wemby would struggle to get off the line to be a successful specialist

For fun, let’s dive into this further. I really disagree here.

Wemby is regularly crossing up elite athletes with tremendous footwork and balance in the NBA. With the NFL rules you can only jam them off the line for 5 yds and what exactly are these 5’10” DBs jamming…Wemby’s moving thighs?!? Wemby’s chest will be at the DBs head level….literally at their head level.

And once he is off the line, every stride he takes is equivalent to about 3 strides of an average NFL DB. The DB would be on his back immediately and Wemby would just need to box out and reach up. Impossible to defend.

If skinny guys like Devonte Smith can use footwork, hand techniques, etc to get off the line than Wemby can surely do the same with a couple days of coaching. Wemby is not far off as being as quick twitch as a Devonte Smith type which is ridiculous to think about.

 

[dgreen]

I think the specialization aspect is key here. While I think a guy like Wemby would struggle to get off the line to be a successful specialist, there are certainly plenty of NBA players who could be better at it. Back in the day, I'd probably argue that there are plenty of NFL players who could specialize in something like rebounding. But, today's game requires each player to do so many different things. There just aren't many guys on the floor at any given time who can't dribble and shoot decently.

Yep. Just look at Rudy Gobert in this present series against Nicola Jokic. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year and is getting cooked by Jokic. And since Gobert has no offensive game he’s a liability and not even playing end of games. Let me say that again…the Defensive Player of the Year is losing time when the game counts because he’s not well rounded.

Yeah, but I'm pretty sure there are a quite a few of the tall, thick, athletic types in the NBA who would really struggle even in this specialist role in the NFL because I think there's a particular mindset you have to have to play football. I really have no idea how much American NBA players played football growing up. If they aren't used to the contact of football, they may not have the mindset to play that game.

 

[offdee]

I think the specialization aspect is key here. While I think a guy like Wemby would struggle to get off the line to be a successful specialist, there are certainly plenty of NBA players who could be better at it. Back in the day, I'd probably argue that there are plenty of NFL players who could specialize in something like rebounding. But, today's game requires each player to do so many different things. There just aren't many guys on the floor at any given time who can't dribble and shoot decently.

Yep. Just look at Rudy Gobert in this present series against Nicola Jokic. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year and is getting cooked by Jokic. And since Gobert has no offensive game he’s a liability and not even playing end of games. Let me say that again…the Defensive Player of the Year is losing time when the game counts because he’s not well rounded.

Yeah, but I'm pretty sure there are a quite a few of the tall, thick, athletic types in the NBA who would really struggle even in this specialist role in the NFL because I think there's a particular mindset you have to have to play football. I really have no idea how much American NBA players played football growing up. If they aren't used to the contact of football, they may not have the mindset to play that game.

Eh, as a specialist receiver the only time you’re really getting hit are the 2-3 times per game you’re getting the ball thrown your way. And even then, with the new rules you can’t really just get lit up anymore. The big guys in the NBA are getting banged around every single time up and down the court so it’s not like they aren’t used to some contact. .

 

[dgreen]

While I think a guy like Wemby would struggle to get off the line to be a successful specialist

For fun, let’s dive into this further. I really disagree here.

Wemby is regularly crossing up elite athletes with tremendous footwork and balance in the NBA. With the NFL rules you can only jam them off the line for 5 yds and what exactly are these 5’10” DBs jamming…Wemby’s moving thighs?!? Wemby’s chest will be at the DBs head level….literally at their head level.

And once he is off the line, every stride he takes is equivalent to about 3 strides of an average NFL DB. He’d be on his back immediately and Wendy would just need to box out and reach up. Impossible to defend.

If skinny guys like Devonte Smith can use footwork, hand techniques, etc to get off the line than Wemby can surely do the same with a couple days of coaching. Wemby is not far off as being as quick twitch as a Devonte Smith type which is ridiculous to think about.

Defenses probably wouldn't put a 5'10" guy on him. It's one thing to use your footwork to cross up a guy who isn't allowed to touch you and quite another to use it against someone who is way stronger than you and who is allowed to push you and hit you. A defender really just needs to disrupt him long enough for the DL to get pressure. That's only a couple seconds.

 

[Mister CIA]

Now, can we bring back some variation of Battle of the Network Stars (or Superstars, or whatever the name)? That would settle everything.

 

[offdee]

While I think a guy like Wemby would struggle to get off the line to be a successful specialist

For fun, let’s dive into this further. I really disagree here.

Wemby is regularly crossing up elite athletes with tremendous footwork and balance in the NBA. With the NFL rules you can only jam them off the line for 5 yds and what exactly are these 5’10” DBs jamming…Wemby’s moving thighs?!? Wemby’s chest will be at the DBs head level….literally at their head level.

And once he is off the line, every stride he takes is equivalent to about 3 strides of an average NFL DB. He’d be on his back immediately and Wendy would just need to box out and reach up. Impossible to defend.

If skinny guys like Devonte Smith can use footwork, hand techniques, etc to get off the line than Wemby can surely do the same with a couple days of coaching. Wemby is not far off as being as quick twitch as a Devonte Smith type which is ridiculous to think about.

Defenses probably wouldn't put a 5'10" guy on him. It's one thing to use your footwork to cross up a guy who isn't allowed to touch you and quite another to use it against someone who is way stronger than you and who is allowed to push you and hit you. A defender really just needs to disrupt him long enough for the DL to get pressure. That's only a couple seconds.

Have you seen 7’1” Joel Embiid stand next to Wemby? Embiid actually looks small. Who in the NFL would you put on Wemby that could even be tall enough to be able to jam him in the chest and have enough leverage with their arms that high to not let him get past 5 yds in short order? They’d have to hold him around the waist and it would get called constantly.

Like would you put Myles Garrett on him out wide? Even then he’d still literally be a foot taller than Garrett. Not to mention Wemby’s 8 foot wingspan and ridiculous reach. Wemby could have enough technique and lock his arms out to not allow a defender to get into his body to jam easily and get that leverage needed to completely hault him before 5 yards.

The other thing that any smart OC would do would be to always have Wemby in motion on the snap so any defender couldn’t have a still Wemby to muscle around. What the Dolphins do with Tyreek.

 

[Doug B]

Now, can we bring back some variation of Battle of the Network Stars (or Superstars, or whatever the name)? That would settle everything.

How it used to be done. No fools blowing up Twitter. Just showing up in person and deciding what's what.

1985 Superstars Final

Jeff Blatnick - Olympic Gold Medal, Greco-Roman WrestlingMark Clayton - Wide Receiver, Miami DolphinsRoger Craig - Running Back, San Francisco 49ersGreg Fost...

www.youtube.com

1986 Superstars Final

Likely the best Superstars competition ever held, the winner came down to a head-to-head duel in the final of the obstacle course. Featuring a three -time c...

www.youtube.com

 

[dgreen]

While I think a guy like Wemby would struggle to get off the line to be a successful specialist

For fun, let’s dive into this further. I really disagree here.

Wemby is regularly crossing up elite athletes with tremendous footwork and balance in the NBA. With the NFL rules you can only jam them off the line for 5 yds and what exactly are these 5’10” DBs jamming…Wemby’s moving thighs?!? Wemby’s chest will be at the DBs head level….literally at their head level.

And once he is off the line, every stride he takes is equivalent to about 3 strides of an average NFL DB. He’d be on his back immediately and Wendy would just need to box out and reach up. Impossible to defend.

If skinny guys like Devonte Smith can use footwork, hand techniques, etc to get off the line than Wemby can surely do the same with a couple days of coaching. Wemby is not far off as being as quick twitch as a Devonte Smith type which is ridiculous to think about.

Defenses probably wouldn't put a 5'10" guy on him. It's one thing to use your footwork to cross up a guy who isn't allowed to touch you and quite another to use it against someone who is way stronger than you and who is allowed to push you and hit you. A defender really just needs to disrupt him long enough for the DL to get pressure. That's only a couple seconds.

Have you seen 7’1” Joel Embiid stand next to Wemby? Embiid actually looks small. Who in the NFL would you put on Wemby that could even be tall enough to be able to jam him in the chest and have enough leverage with their arms that high to not let him get past 5 yds in short order? They’d have to hold him around the waist and it would get called constantly.

Like would you put Myles Garrett on him out wide? Even then he’d still literally be a foot taller than Garrett. Not to mention Wemby’s 8 foot wingspan and ridiculous reach. Wemby could have enough technique and lock his arms out to not allow a defender to get into his body to jam easily and get that leverage needed to completely hault him before 5 yards.

The other thing that any smart OC would do would be to always have Wemby in motion on the snap so any defender couldn’t have a still Wemby to muscle around. What the Dolphins do with Tyreek.

I think strength is vastly more important than height in those first five yards. And while I understand that basketball players don't play a game where they are never touched, the contact simply isn't comparable between the two sports. I think a very high percentage of NFL players would have no problem physically disrupting Wemby's progress for a couple seconds because so many of them are going to be significantly stronger than him. If Wemby does display an ability to juke someone one on one, then I have one guy play outside leverage to make him start in where I have someone like Garrett (or whoever) take a free run at him and hit him as hard as he can in those first few yards. I don't see Wemby having success against that much legal physicality. And even if it does end up being a penalty, small price to pay to prevent any jump balls thrown his way and I can't imagine he has any interest in continuing to step on the field.

Now, if we're talking Giannis...

 

[Kanil]

Imagine Jokic at QB. Gotta be better than what Denver has marched out since Manning left, right?

 

[FreeBaGeL]

It's a ridiculously stupid question merely due to the roster size differences. If you're big and fast, you don't have to have been training at football for 15 years to run down field on special teams and hit someone.

 

[Zow]

I think NBA players would perform better in the NFL than vice versa. With that said, I dont think there is anything close to 30 on each side that could jump into the opposing sport and be any sort of immediate difference maker.

Completely disagree. Put any 6’10” or taller NBA guy with thickness and athleticism (and there’s plenty of them in the NBA) and they instantly have a role as a niche weapon in the red zone. And that’s the big difference….NFL you can get away with having a limited elite skill set. You don’t have to play defense. You just need to be big, box out, jump and catch (which somewhat equates to a rebounding/alley oop skill they already intuitively have).

The bold, and your additional argument, is exactly how I differentiate this issue and side with NBA players for more likely to excel at the NFL level than vice versa.

The NFL has much more opportunities for a "niche" spot. The tight end red-zone specialist is the perfect example where there is one particular skill that an NBA player can adapt to and that skill, however limited, still presents value when you factor in a 53-man roster. Another good example of this is kicker or punter where we've seen pro soccer or rugby players make that transition because they have that niche talent that can be molded to fit the NFL relatively quickly (still a ton of work) because they're being asked to literally just do one thing.

In contrast, the NBA (and basketball in general) doesn't really have a "niche" spot. Thinking back on guys I suppose could fit this bill, I suppose Rodman (rebounding), Manute Bol (height), and maybe Kyle Korver (shooting)? But, generally, an NBA player needs to be able to at least do 2+ things well to provide any meaningful value because he makes of 20% of the team on the floor and has to at least be competent as some other task. Additionally, I cannot shake that video montage of Brian Scalabrine just murdering a stream of local gym all-stars as an example that NBA players are really, really good at what they do and just at a basic level probably need to know how to both shoot and play defense to be somewhat meaningful.

 

[Jayrod]

I think throwing some of the NBA's freak athletes in their prime on special teams or as a WR/TE jump ball specialist would be pretty doable.

With a bit of time, some of them could develop into pretty decent defensive players as well. Guys like Ja Morant or ANT as cornerbacks and prime LeBron or Zion as a defensive end/pass rusher would be feasible (although both of those positions take quite a lot of technique to be good and football is a different kind of conditioning).

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Lebron James and football has always made sense and I suspect that when he retires David Beckham will give him a ring to come on down and play goalie for his club in Miami

 

[stbugs]

As Brian Scalabrine once said, "I'm closer to LeBron James than you are to me".

The skill level in the NBA is insane, especially now that the sport is global.

Sam Darnold could say the same thing about him and Mahomes too.

Staying in Charlotte and Devin Funchess could say that about Jerry Rice or Justin Jefferson, etc.

I played HS football but didn’t play college and I remember watching a stud QB at my kids local HS and the dude threw beautiful bombs that I’d never seen a HS QB throw before because I grew up in CT. That kid was on the level of Sam Howell in HS, recruited by Tennessee and Oklahoma. He was Mayfield and Murray’s backup. He never got close to being drafted or being considered to be drafted. The skill level in the NFL isn’t a joke. I think you guys are downplaying the NFL athletes by a lot. Sure, Wemby is tall enough to win jump balls in the end zone, if he can beat press coverage, but it’s a lot easier for him to dunk a ball or from close enough in or block a shot than it would be for him to make a tackle on Tyreke Hill or run a precise route and catch a 50 yard bomb.

Most of the ridiculous athletes in the NBA and NFL have been one sport for so long that this discussion is almost silly. If it was so easy for LeBron to be a pro bowl TE, how come there aren’t a lot of almost made the NBA guys becoming NFL players? Sure, Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers and Charlie Ward are interesting studies but there isn’t a pipeline of NBA stud athletes who weren’t good enough to play in the NBA but made NFL rosters.

 

[nirad3]

As Brian Scalabrine once said, "I'm closer to LeBron James than you are to me".

I was a slightly-above average HS basketball player on terrible teams. I truly peaked in college, maybe could have played at a D-3 or NAIA type of school but since I went to a D-1 school, intramurals was about as good as it got for me... but I was always one of the better players on the court for pickup and intramurals.

I took a Sports & Society class that covered officiating and it just so happens that one of the guys on my college's team was in the class (easy A, I suspect). He was set to be the successor to Baby Jordan (Harold Miner) at USC, but ended up transferring to UC Santa Barbara (his name is Wayne Butts). He was a good 6'6" and a superb athlete.

Naturally, because I was the "next best basketball player in the class", we ended up guarding each other when we did little scrimmages to let other kids in the class get officiating experience. I'm 6'1" on a good day and at that point was at the top of my game and could drill threes with regularity. I could tell he was just toying with me, like a cat pawing at a dead mouse it'd just killed for sport. He actually let me shoot over him most of the time and would laugh at me when I would playfully talk crap to him. That all said, I know if he gave even half-effort he would have wiped the floor with me. This is a guy that didn't even get drafted in the NBA. I think he maybe played overseas awhile.

What was cool, though, was he'd see me on campus, give the little head nod and would say "'sup Shooter?"

 

[the moops]

The skill level in the NFL isn’t a joke. I think you guys are downplaying the NFL athletes by a lot.

I don't think anyone is downplaying their athleticism. Like not at all. We are talking about how that athleticism translates to a basketball court.

 

[Frostillicus]

I think the specialization aspect is key here. While I think a guy like Wemby would struggle to get off the line to be a successful specialist, there are certainly plenty of NBA players who could be better at it. Back in the day, I'd probably argue that there are plenty of NFL players who could specialize in something like rebounding. But, today's game requires each player to do so many different things. There just aren't many guys on the floor at any given time who can't dribble and shoot decently.

Yep. Just look at Rudy Gobert in this present series against Nicola Jokic. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year and is getting cooked by Jokic. And since Gobert has no offensive game he’s a liability and not even playing end of games. Let me say that again…the Defensive Player of the Year is losing time when the game counts because he’s not well rounded. The NBA is just on another level of how good you need to be at so many things to be on the floor.

None of this is true.

 

[dgreen]

The skill level in the NFL isn’t a joke. I think you guys are downplaying the NFL athletes by a lot.

I don't think anyone is downplaying their athleticism. Like not at all. We are talking about how that athleticism translates to a basketball court.

Well, I see the discussion as going both directions. It's not just about how a football player translates to the basketball court, but also how a basketball player translates to the football field. And I feel like the latter is being downplayed a little. I agree with the conclusion that basketball-to-football would be more successful than football-to-basketball, but I don't agree with the level of ease some might think it will be for basketball players. I think many of the NBA players would struggle more than expected if they were to step on an NFL field...but not nearly as much as NFL players would struggle in the NBA.

 

[Gally]

Do jockeys and figure skaters next.

@Zow

just don't pick Russell Baze

 

[offdee]

I think many of the NBA players would struggle more than expected if they were to step on an NFL field...but not nearly as much as NFL players would struggle in the NBA.

The original question is…present state, how many players could swap sports and make the others professional roster.

Even as the end of the bench scrub that never sees the court, I’d guess not one single active NFL player makes an NBA roster. (For arguments sake in original post I said 3, but I don’t really even believe that)

But there is a 100% chance that, at minimum (likely much more), 5 NBA players make an NFL roster at a legit position (not K, P or special teams).

Anybody who disagrees with this is delusional.

 

[Zow]

Do jockeys and figure skaters next.

@Zow

just don't pick Russell Baze

But I'm still the Greatest Athlete drafter champ!

 

[Cowboysfan8]

NFL you can get away with having a limited elite skill set. You don’t have to play defense.

Do any NBA players play defense lol?

 

[Zow]

NFL you can get away with having a limited elite skill set. You don’t have to play defense.

Do any NBA players play defense lol?

Did you watch the Wolves-Nuggets game 2?

 

[Tau837]

While I think a guy like Wemby would struggle to get off the line to be a successful specialist

For fun, let’s dive into this further. I really disagree here.

Wemby is regularly crossing up elite athletes with tremendous footwork and balance in the NBA. With the NFL rules you can only jam them off the line for 5 yds and what exactly are these 5’10” DBs jamming…Wemby’s moving thighs?!? Wemby’s chest will be at the DBs head level….literally at their head level.

And once he is off the line, every stride he takes is equivalent to about 3 strides of an average NFL DB. He’d be on his back immediately and Wendy would just need to box out and reach up. Impossible to defend.

If skinny guys like Devonte Smith can use footwork, hand techniques, etc to get off the line than Wemby can surely do the same with a couple days of coaching. Wemby is not far off as being as quick twitch as a Devonte Smith type which is ridiculous to think about.

Defenses probably wouldn't put a 5'10" guy on him. It's one thing to use your footwork to cross up a guy who isn't allowed to touch you and quite another to use it against someone who is way stronger than you and who is allowed to push you and hit you. A defender really just needs to disrupt him long enough for the DL to get pressure. That's only a couple seconds.

Have you seen 7’1” Joel Embiid stand next to Wemby? Embiid actually looks small. Who in the NFL would you put on Wemby that could even be tall enough to be able to jam him in the chest and have enough leverage with their arms that high to not let him get past 5 yds in short order? They’d have to hold him around the waist and it would get called constantly.

Like would you put Myles Garrett on him out wide? Even then he’d still literally be a foot taller than Garrett. Not to mention Wemby’s 8 foot wingspan and ridiculous reach. Wemby could have enough technique and lock his arms out to not allow a defender to get into his body to jam easily and get that leverage needed to completely hault him before 5 yards.

The other thing that any smart OC would do would be to always have Wemby in motion on the snap so any defender couldn’t have a still Wemby to muscle around. What the Dolphins do with Tyreek.

I'm generally with your perspective in this thread, but IMO your stance on Wemby here is a bit extreme. If you dropped Wemby into the NFL with "2 days of coaching" and tried to line him up as a WR/TE against my defense, I would put a LB on him to jam him and put him on his back. Every team has linebackers who are much stronger than Wemby, and, importantly, know how to use their hands and strength for football leverage. I don't think Wemby would get 5 yards off the line of scrimmage.

I also think it is unlikely he could sustain the type of hits he would take regularly every time he is targeted. He is too thin. He actually would present something NFL defenders never see nowadays -- a huge legal target area between the head and knees. They would have a field day hammering him legally, and he would probably break.

Lol at comparing Wemby's ability to go in motion to avoid a jam to Tyreek Hill's ability.

If he had a couple years of coaching, and especially if he could build some strength and thickness, maybe it could be different, but that doesn't seem to be your premise here.