JJ Watt is not the only former player joining the fray against Austin Rivers. The son of legendary coach Doc Rivers proclaimed that 30 individuals from the NBA could easily make the transition to the NFL. He also posits that the same cannot happen the other way around. James Jones, most known for his time with the Aaron Rodgers-led Green Bay Packers, heard this. He also had something to say when it came to this talking point, via Speak on FS1.
“Number one, 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 you all started. Now, you all want extra votes and all that type of stuff to win MVP because you only played 22 games out of 82,” the former Packers weapon said.
James Jones then further hammers in the point about the NFL being a much harder league than expected. He outlines that whatever plays individuals see on their screens are much harder to do on the gridiron.
“Number two, you said 30 dudes. If you would have said one dude or maybe Anthony Edwards could play safety or something, I would have listened. You said 30 dudes. Put respect on our sport, that's number one. It's not just run and catch the ball and turn around. It ain't just hand the ball off and do that. It takes a lot of work on your craft to do what we do on a football field,” he added.
Aaron Rodgers' trusted weapon from 2007 to 2015 also had something personal to say to the former NBA player.
“Austin Rivers, if you stepped on a football field, homeboy, you wouldn't make it. We know that right now because you barely made it in the NBA. I'm just keeping it a buck. Football is not an easy game,” he concluded.
Ex-Packers player gets some backup
James Jones was not the only person who got provoked by Rivers' statement. JJ Watt and Pat McAfee also lashed back at the ex-NBA player's statements. They had to stand up for the league and the game that they loved too.
“You don't have a job in either one right now. Go ahead and try it,” JJ Watt declared.
Pat McAfee was more kind in responding to Rivers, “Listen, our sport's better because we would just create a position for one of you 5-2, 40 (yard)-running, 6-foot-10 guys, and just put them…you know, can't get hit much, fragile, a little thin, very tall… We would just create a position because we have big brains. Nonetheless, you guys are great athletes man.”
All of these players might not be with the NFL anymore because of their age. But, they were very exceptional during their playing days. Jones, for example, had such great chemistry with Aaron Rodgers that they won a Super Bowl together.
Moreover, the former Packers weapon was also a delight to watch for his highlight catches. He ended his career with 433 receptions and 5,861 receiving yards alongside 51 touchdowns. Those are all very hard to notch.
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