From Court to Gridiron: Could NBA Players Really Make it in the NFL?

Could NBA players really hold their own in the NFL? One NFL quarterback thinks so, and it's got us wondering - what if?

The NBA and NFL: Two Worlds Collide

As I watched the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Los Angeles Lakers, I couldn’t help but think about the age-old debate: could NBA players really hold their own in the NFL? The idea seems far-fetched, but one NFL quarterback thinks he’s found a player who could make the transition.

Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star quarterback, recently told ESPN that he believes Lu Dort, the Thunder’s guard, could play linebacker or running back in the NFL. It’s a bold claim, but one that got me thinking - what if?

“I can take 30 players right now in the NBA and throw them in the NFL. You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the NBA.” - Austin Rivers

Rivers’ comment sparked a heated debate across the sports world, with many NFL players and fans scoffing at the idea. But Mahomes’ endorsement of Dort got me wondering - could there be some truth to Rivers’ claim?

NBA players in NFL

Dort’s physicality is certainly impressive. At 6'4" and 220 pounds, he has the frame and muscle to hold his own on the football field. And while he may not be the typical build for a running back or linebacker, he’s certainly athletic enough to make the transition.

Lu Dort

Of course, this is all speculation, and it’s unlikely we’ll ever see Dort trade in his basketball shoes for a pair of football cleats. But it’s fun to imagine what could be. And who knows - maybe one day we’ll see an NBA player make the jump to the NFL.

NFL players in NBA