After retiring from the NBA, Austin Rivers has quickly made his mark in sports media, sparking a heated debate with Pat McAfee by claiming that 30 NBA players could easily transition to the NFL.
This assertion stirred up controversy and drew responses from prominent figures like JJ Watt and former NFL player turned FS1 analyst James Jones.
Jones sharply criticized Rivers’ comments, stating, “Let’s just get this straight, they put a flop rule in the NBA because you guys are soft. You guys started a trend of rest games. And now y’all want extra votes and all that type of stuff to win an MVP because you only played 22 games out of 82. You said 30 dudes could play in the NFL? Football is not just about running and catching the ball. It takes a lot of work to excel on a football field, and frankly, Rivers, if you stepped on a football field, you wouldn’t make it.”
RELATED: Stephen Jackson Blasts Austin Rivers Over Bronny James Comments
Rivers, taken aback by Jones’s blunt critique, retorted, noting he wasn’t even familiar with the former Packers wide receiver.
Jones responded on FS1’s “Speak,” not holding back: “Since I’m a meathead, let’s look at the facts. You were a top-10 pick, averaged nine points a game over your career, two rebounds, two assists — that sounds like a bust to me. I led the league in touchdowns and won a Super Bowl. You never achieved that level of success. Maybe if you were 6-4, 200 pounds, you should’ve tried football. You might’ve had a better career, homeboy.”
The back-and-forth between Rivers and Jones highlights the ongoing debate about the athleticism and skills required for different professional sports, underscoring the challenges of transitioning from one sport to another.
I must admit, this entire debate has been quite entertaining.
