Future Pro Football Hall of Famer JJ Watt took time Tuesday to respond to Austin Rivers, who believes 30 players from the NBA can play in the NFL, but not the other way around.
There has always been a debate about which league has the best athletes.
Rivers added to that debate Tuesday morning on “The Pat McAfee Show” by claiming he could seamlessly bring 30 NBA players to the NFL.
“You can’t put 30 NFL players into the NBA,” Rivers said.
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Denver Nuggets guard Austin Rivers reacts after making a 3-point shot during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 26, 2022 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Watt heard Rivers’ comments and took to social media to share his thoughts and poke fun at Rivers.
“There’s no work for either of us right now, so take the plunge,” Watt told X.
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Watt also tweeted, “For the record, I could never play in the NBA. 6 hard fouls is the best I can get and I’m done.”
Rivers responded to Watt on social media, adding several examples of NBA players he thinks could succeed in the NFL.
“@JJWatt played for 11 years [in the NBA] Brosky. In fact, I might play next year…then it would be my 12th time,” Rivers posted.respect you [sic] A football legend held it down for his brother. My comment was not meant to be rude. It just goes to show how athletic some of his NBA players are…
Former NFL player and television analyst JJ Watt before the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
“I don’t think it’s Antman. [Anthony Edwards] Could he make the transition to the NFL? Wide receiver? Prime LeBron?zion [Williamson]?Prime D Rose [Derrick Rose] or [Russell] Westbrook? Is Aaron Gordon a tight end? So, from the NFL to the NBA, give me yours…we’ll be waiting. By the way, I have never said that myself. It’s so easy to be in the shade towards me. ”
Rivers did not play in the NBA this season. He last played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2022-23 season, where he averaged 4.9 points in 19.5 minutes in 52 games.
Drafted 10th overall by the New Orleans Hornets in 2012, Rivers has played for seven different NBA teams throughout his career. His most successful season came with the Los Angeles Clippers, whose team was led by his father, veteran head coach Doc Rivers.
Rivers had his best seasons from 2014 to 2018, averaging 11.1 points in 243 regular season games.
But like he said, Rivers isn’t going to do anything when it comes to football. And after seeing Rivers’ reaction, Watt admitted he didn’t understand the context.
JJ Watt took exception to Austin Rivers when he suggested that NBA players are better athletes than NFL players. (Getty Images)
“To be 100% honest, I did something that I hate when people do me…I commented on the headline without watching the video to understand the context,” Watt said. “I thought you said you could play in the NFL, so I came here to prove it to you. I accept that and I apologize. That’s on me.”
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