Football and basketball are two popular, athletically demanding sports. If the players were to leave the game they’ve practiced for years and try out the other, would basketball or football players fare better?

NBA PLAYERS WOULD TRANSITION TO THE NFL MORE SUCCESSFULLY THAN NFL PLAYERS TO THE NBA

By: Micah Huff, Sports Reporter

There are more examples of NFL players with a background in basketball  than vice versa. Some of the greatest NFL players had an earlier career in basketball prior to them stepping onto a football field. 

To be a great tight end in the NFL you have to have the speed and athleticism of a wide receiver but also the ability to be physical and block giant defensive linemen. 

People tend to have the stigma that basketball players are divas and cannot take a hit. Two of the best tight ends in NFL history both being in the Hall Of Fame (the biggest honor for NFL Players) played basketball in college: Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates.

Both players weren’t most known for their blocking, instead their ability to jump high, catch rebounds and dominate in the paint helped them become a weapon on the football field.

Another great tight end that played in the NFL that has a background in basketball is Jimmy Graham, who is second all-time for most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by a tight end in a single season.

It only took him three seasons to set the Seahawks franchise record for the most receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns at the tight end position. 

The trend of tight ends and wide receivers who played basketball in college or high school going to the NFL continued after seeing former collegiate hoopers have instant success on the football field, causing NFL scouts to look for tight ends and wide receivers with experience playing basketball in college or high school.

If you look at the highest level and pedigree of basketball players it is easy to assume that names like Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James would dominate on the football field. 

Basketball players who have that physical edge to them and the athleticism that lets them attack the rim at a high level can have great success running through holes for big gains at the running back position on the gridiron.

Positions such as wide receiver and tight end are the easiest positions for NBA players to make a transition, wide receiver especially because that position is already seen as the diva position that requires the least amount of physicality.

Some of the best receivers have been ones that can successfully win 50/50 catches and jump high to get a deeply thrown ball from their quarterback. Could you imagine Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels throwing a deep ball to James?

I am extremely confident to say that if James was in the NFL even at his current age of 40 years old, he would be a 1,000-yard receiver in his first season. No defensive back will be able to guard LeBron in the red zone, no chance at all!

NFL PLAYERS WOULD TRANSITION TO THE NBA MORE SUCCESSFULLY THAN NBA PLAYERS TO THE NFL

By: Colton Peterson, Opinion Columnist

I understand both National Football League and National Basketball Association players believe in their athletic abilities, but it’s laughable to think NBA players would blow NFL players out of the water at football. 

With many people owning their own basketball hoops, shooting hoops or playing a game of HORSE is a popular recreational pastime. Because of this, it is likely that NFL players have more casual basketball experience than NBA players do with football.

NBA players have no restriction of movement when they play. Their uniforms consist of jerseys and shorts, something anyone could wear casually. NFL players however have to wear helmets, shoulder pads and restrictive pants. Even if an NBA player is good at football, playing in this bulky uniform would take some getting used to. 

Basketball is also less dangerous than football. The hardest part of playing basketball is the endurance it requires, according to the Sports Foundation, but there is no aggressive physical contact allowed in basketball. In football, you must avoid people who are trying to tackle you or you have to move a grown man backward against their will. It was stated on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast that nothing creates more basketball players than the Oklahoma drill in football. 

Regardless of weather, professional basketball is always played indoors. So, if NBA players had to play a completely different sport outdoors, they would definitely struggle. The rain, wind and snow make it hard to grip the football, resulting in more errors. The extreme heat and direct sunlight can also cause heat strokes. Fog can cause problems with sight. All 30 NBA teams play indoors, while only 10 of the 32 NFL teams play indoors.

For example, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is the future of the NBA, but would be a terrible defensive end because he is way too frail to stop the other team from running right at him. NBA players can only play the skill positions, whereas NFL players would be able to play all five positions. The defensive and offensive lineman would make big men due to their size and aggressiveness. Wide receivers will make very good guards and wing players, due to their quickness and size. Cornerbacks and safeties will make great defensive guards and wings due to their ability to cover receivers one-on-one.