It is hard to prove Austin Rivers' claim that NBA players will have an easier time playing in the NFL compared to the latter playing in the world's best basketball league.
What is sure, though, is he knows how to hit the opponent at the spot where it hurts.
The former NBA player received backlash over the past few days for his statement on the NFL vs. NBA debate during an appearance at the Pat McAfee show.
It seemed like he was cooking something great based on the clapback he made against an NFL analyst.
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NFL players dismissed Rivers' claim about their sport by belittling his run as a pro baller.
The former 10th overall pick specifically addressed former Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones, who came after his NBA career by saying he wouldn't make it to the NFL because he barely made it to the NBA.
"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," he wrote on X.
Rivers wrote an extended response and gave Jones a taste of his own medicine by assessing his NFL career.
"Talking about 'you barely made it in the nba'...bro, I was lottery pick who has already played 11 years. You played 8/9 seasons in the NFL ️. Make it make sense. By your own logic, you really barely made it. You sound salty."
Jones is a good player in his own right. He spent nine seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver. He won a Super Bowl and was the 2012 NFL Receiving Touchdowns leader.
Rivers probably got the W in this exchange.
Jones's initial response to Rivers was passionate and may be construed as a reply to feeling insulted.
"Let's just get this straight," Jones said last Thursday on his show Speak on FS1.
"No. 1, they put in a flop rule in the NBA because you guys are soft. You guys started a trend of rest games; that's what y'all started.
"No. 2, you said 30 dudes. If you would've said one dude, maybe Anthony Edwards could play safety or something, I would've listened to you... put respect on our sport."
Rivers' latest response will probably be the last one.
NBA player to NFL, has anybody done it before?
To humor Austin Rivers, have an NBA pro played in the NFL before?
Some basketball stars started their sports career on the gridiron, like LeBron James and Allen Iverson.
However, no name comes up if the question is about an NBA player who transitioned to the NFL.
To be fair to him, no NFL player has done the same yet.
The closest to do it is former Carolina Panthers tight end Devin Funchess, who signed a professional basketball contract with the Caribbean Storm Llaneros of the Professional Colombia Basketball League just a few days ago.
Funches spent six seasons in the NFL and is only 29 years old.
The wear and tear of both sports is too challenging to overcome. That may be why.
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