Earlier this spring, a war of words was touched off following some comments from Austin Rivers, who declared that you “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.” That prompted a response from retired defensive lineman J.J. Watt, scoffing at the notion.
Josh Allen thinks he could contribute good minutes in the NBA
The Buffalo Bills QB weighed in on the debate about NFL players playing in the NBA
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
The exchange prompted us here at SB Nation to try and identify players that could make the leap from the NBA to the NFL, and the fine folks at NFL Operations even put together this piece examining the physical differences between players in both leagues.
Now, one NFL player is throwing their hat into the ring, making the case they could contribute “give some good minutes” in the NBA.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen was asked about the debate at Buffalo’s OTAs on Tuesday, and after initially demurring, he then first offered a rather diplomatic response. “I think there’s guys on both sides that have the ability to [play in the other league],” replied the quarterback.
But when he was pressed on the issue, with a reporter asking about whether NFL players could actually play in NBA games and not just sit on the bench, Allen turned to himself.
“I think I can give some good minutes. A ‘three-and-D guy.’ Like, I’m gonna bust my tail on defense and chuck up a shot or two and pray that it goes in. But I’m gonna box out and go get some rebounds,” described Allen. “I think I have the tools to do that.
“But I can give you, like, I can give you a good six or seven minutes off the bench.”
You can see the whole answer from Allen here:
Allen is listed at 6’5 and 237 pounds, and has been known for his willingness to put his body on the line for the Bills:
So yeah he could probably grab a rebound or two.
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