Texans Legend JJ Watt Sacks NBA Free Agent For Comments On NBA, NFL Players Debate
Have you ever wondered if NFL players can play in the NBA and vice versa? It's an intriguing discussion among sports fans, seemingly without a clear consensus.
Could Myles Garrett play center for an NBA team, or could Zion Williamson put on the pads and play defensive end in the NFL? The scenarios are certainly infinite.
Austin Rivers — Doc Rivers' free-agent son in the NBA — recently gave his thoughts on that topic, and those comments set off a major roast from ex-Texans DE J.J. Watt.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Former NFL player J.J. Watt reacts prior to Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Rivers said on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday that he could find 30 premier NBA players who possess the physicality and skill to transition to professional football instantly and that the NFL couldn't offer 30 guys in return who could play in the NBA.
"I can take 30 players right now in the NBA and throw them in the NFL," Rivers told McAfee on Tuesday. "You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the NBA."
While McAfee and his co-hosts agreed, Watt saw the comments differently and crushed Rivers, 31, on social media.
The Texans DE responded and humbled the NBA free agent.
"You don’t got a job in either right now, go head and try it," Watt posted on X, re-posting a video of Rivers' comments.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 06: Referee Andy Nagy and Austin Rivers #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves share a laugh during a break in the third quarter of a preseason game between the Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on October 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 114-99. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Talk about an online cat fight.
However, needing to retain his agreeable image, Watt walked back his comment on Rivers shortly after the NBAer responded.
Rivers claimed that Watts took the comments out of context despite seemingly scoffing at the idea of NFL players transitioning to the Association. Either way, he dodged starting a beef with one of the scariest men to wear an NFL uniform.
Ask around the NFL, and most guys probably believe they could play pro ball if they give up playing on Sunday. Imagine even the best defensive big in the NBA trying to size up against Aaron Donald or Dexter Lawrence.
(Was J.J. Watt too harsh on Rivers? Or did the NBA free agent deserve his roast? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)
In 12 seasons, Watt recorded 449 solo tackles, 137 assists, 114.5 sacks, 17 fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
Does that make him a better authority than the NBA journeyman Austin Rivers in the NFL-NBA player debate … probably.
Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
Send a message: alejandro.avila@outkick.com