Former NBA player Austin Rivers and former NFL wide receiver James Jones engaged in a heated debate on social media regarding Rivers’ claim that NBA players could succeed in the NFL. Jones criticized Rivers, stating that he wouldn’t make it in the NFL because he barely made it in the NBA. Rivers hit back, highlighting his status as a lottery pick and his 11-year career.
James Jones fires back at @AustinRivers25
“You're 6’4 200 pounds, maybe you should’ve tried football. You might’ve had a better career homeboy, because basketball wasn’t your career from what I’m reading right here.”
(🎥 @SpeakOnFS1 )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 9, 2024
.@89JonesNTAF COOKS Austin Rivers for saying there are 30 NBA players who could play in the NFL. 🔥
"Austin Rivers, if you stepped on the football field homeboy, you wouldn't make it. We know that right now, because you barely made it in the NBA." pic.twitter.com/iRr0cQmZsU
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) May 8, 2024
The conflict arose from Rivers’ statement that he knew 30 NBA players who could play professional football, emphasizing the athleticism of NBA players. Jones disputed Rivers’ claim, mocking the NBA’s flop rule and rest games trend.
Been just sitting back listening to the chatter. But I can’t help myself sometimes lol. James Jones…( the packer guy) I have never heard of you. But listen here ya little meat head…fall back lol. Talking about “you barely made it in the nba”😂…bro I was lottery pick who has…
— Austin Rivers (@AustinRivers25) May 9, 2024
Let's RELAX @AustinRivers25 😂😂#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/HHghiMlr3R
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 7, 2024
Hall of Famer Randy Moss and former NFL star J.J. Watt also criticized Rivers’ comment. This sparked the age-old debate about the athleticism of NBA and NFL players, with tensions between the two leagues becoming prominent. Jones’ comments challenged Rivers’ credentials and questioned the translation of success from basketball to football.
J.J. Watt calls out Austin Rivers after NBA/NFL comments 👀
(via @PatMcAfeeShow, @JJWatt) pic.twitter.com/cNKwpSIAUj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 7, 2024
Fans’ reactions:
10 years in the league… top 10 pick in his draft class, highly touted prospect coming out of high school.
Sure, he was never the best player on the team, but he had a pretty damn good career as an NBA player.
— Crinkle 🍟 (@CrinkleCuck) May 9, 2024
James Jones is literally the equivalent to Austin Rivers in the NFL.
— Bones (@BonesBretlXCIII) May 9, 2024
James Jones vs. Austin Rivers pic.twitter.com/cEdq2ln4Je
— E.K. Johnson (@CoalitionHoops) May 9, 2024
Austin Rivers made 40M more than James I think he’s good
— 𝑱 👑 (@king0fCLE) May 9, 2024
He didn’t cook at all
Rivers was a beast in high school. And college. The nba system isn’t for everyone.He said ALL that and his career earrings is 17million
Austin rivers almost 60 million. lol James jones is cooked.— NEW PAGE Teammillz 📸 (@photomillzLLC) May 10, 2024
@AustinRivers25 yo u better comeback stronger… at least we know who you are. The only James jones I heard of was the player for the Miami heat back in the day 😭
— Katie ❤️ | Top 1.6% 😈 | Free OF 😫 (@thaofficialkat) May 9, 2024
James Jones played 9 seasons never had more then 900 yards in a season. Acting like he was some stud
— Wes Anderson (@wesand83) May 10, 2024
Can we stop this…. This is why NBA players chose basketball. Not even close in earnings, and nowhere near the wear and tear. I don’t understand why people are pretending money isn’t a major motivation. @EmmanuelAcho @89JonesNTAF pic.twitter.com/x8hUdXRyfH
— Mr. God (@JamesJett45) May 10, 2024
Pretty sure @AustinRivers25 Did alright lmfao pic.twitter.com/87e4xCcX6u
— Double_Dip (@DoubleDip88) May 10, 2024
Most basketball players were standout football players in high school
— OC_SportsRap (@OcOrginal) May 8, 2024
Football player upset when literally no football player has ever made the NBA and basketball players with little to no football experience have made the NFL. The facts say Rivers is right.
— Cornelius T (@CorneliusTPG) May 8, 2024
He was a top 3 player coming outta high school and number 10 pick in the draft. He didn’t “barely make it”. He also isn’t wrong NFL is mainly athleticism and NBA is mainly skill.
— John Castilleja. (@CastillejaJohn) May 8, 2024
Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, Mo Alie-Cox, Antonio Gonzalez, etc. all these dudes couldn’t make it in basketball, they weren’t good enough to get drafted, so they went to play football in the NFL. How many football players didn’t make it in football and decided to go to the NBA?
— Collin Hiegel (@CollinHiegs) May 9, 2024
.@89JonesNTAF COOKS Austin Rivers for saying there are 30 NBA players who could play in the NFL. 🔥
"Austin Rivers, if you stepped on the football field homeboy, you wouldn't make it. We know that right now, because you barely made it in the NBA." pic.twitter.com/iRr0cQmZsU
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) May 8, 2024
James jones be acting like he was a superstar 😂🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/m08iWMU8XY
— TaeDaMan (@taedamanbaby) May 9, 2024
Shows how much of a casual your are. JJ led the nfl in TDS and won a Super Bowl… you’re just a company man thanks to nepotism
— Saul Goodman (@CallSaul505575) May 9, 2024
Basketball money is different than nfl money and 8 seasons in the nfl is like 15
— Que (@QBoogaveli) May 9, 2024
Austin, this is an ignorant take, and we expect more from you due to your intelligence, pedigree, and education. Now that you work in the media, we expect you to have a wide knowledge of sports outside of your own, especially since you are making bold takes about them. James…
— Sylvester McNutt III (@SylvesterMcNutt) May 9, 2024
every year college basketball players get invited to NFL training camps and some make rosters. There has never been a college football player invited to a NBA training camp. End of argument.
— Braden Burke (@BradenBurke_) May 8, 2024
Rivers ain't lyrics, I have yet seen a football player turned NBA player become successful, I've seen basketball players become hall.of famers in the NFL..
, everybody from the hood played football man, so.stop with that soft stuff— Thanos Stone (@dablackthanos) May 7, 2024
There is so many people in college who switch from basketball to football and make in in the nfl. Antonio gates, jimmy graham etc. no people switch from football to basketball and make it in the nba.
— Chris (@Chrisawesom3) May 9, 2024
JJ Watt sending Austin Rivers into a 20 year coma with one hit
— rodlo 🪬 (@roddystr) May 7, 2024
i mean he’s not wrong. if you are a freak athlete the easiest sport to play is football. compared to baseball and basketball it takes the least amount of skill for most positions
— Jeffery Perkins (@JefferyxBball) May 7, 2024
Charlie Ward won a heisman and became a player for the Knicks, Allen Iverson played football in higher school and was a good player and later balled out in the nba lol what is JJ Watt talking about
— Brooklyn Monk (@Iliveinadream81) May 7, 2024
Conclusion
The debate revolves around the different skill sets required for each sport, acknowledging the dedication and talent necessary for excellence. While there may be exceptional athletes capable of transitioning between the two sports, the significant differences in size, speed, and physicality make it a challenging leap. The learning curve for an NBA player entering the NFL would be extensive, requiring years of training and development.
