Austin Rivers, Former WR James Jones Exchange Barbs After NBA Analyst's NFL Comments
May 9, 2024
Former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Austin Rivers and former Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones clashed on social media Thursday about Rivers' claim that NBA players could succeed in the NFL.
"Austin Rivers, if you stepped on the field, homeboy, you wouldn't make it," Jones said Thursday on FS1's Speak. "We know that right now, because you barely made it in the NBA."
Speak @SpeakOnFS1.<a href="https://twitter.com/89JonesNTAF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@89JonesNTAF</a> COOKS Austin Rivers for saying there are 30 NBA players who could play in the NFL. 🔥<br><br>"Austin Rivers, if you stepped on the football field homeboy, you wouldn't make it. We know that right now, because you barely made it in the NBA." <a href="https://t.co/iRr0cQmZsU">pic.twitter.com/iRr0cQmZsU</a>
Rivers, who is now an ESPN analyst, responded by saying he had never heard of Jones.
"I was lottery pick who has already played 11 years. You played 8/9 seasons in the NFL," Rivers wrote on X. "Make it make sense. By your own logic you really barely made it."
Austin Rivers @AustinRivers25Been 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. Talking about "you barely made it in the nba"😂…bro I was lottery pick who has…
The conflict surrounded Rivers saying Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show that he knew 30 NBA players who could play professional football.
"Where the best athletes in the world are, that's us," Rivers said. "I could 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."
"Let's just get this straight," Jones said in response to Rivers. "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."
Jones isn't the only former NFLer to criticize Rivers' comment. Hall of Famer Randy Moss and former star defensive end J.J. Watt have also pushed back against his claim.
