Over the years, we've all heard about how certain athletes are so talented that they could probably play two or three different professional sports. We even have real-life examples such as Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders, Michael Jordan and others, but most of those were a combination with baseball and either basketball or football. What we haven't seen is an NFL-NBA combination player, but it'd be pretty awesome if we did. The most common name who gets thrown around is LeBron James, because he used to be a stud on his high-school football team, and people wonder what the athletic freak could do on the gridiron. Here are the top 10 NBA stars we'd all love to see give it a go in the NFL.
10. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
This pick may surprise some people, but honestly, Green just seems like a bad, bad dude. He's big, built and even leads the league in technical fouls this year. He's not afraid to do the dirty work, and I could just imagine him being a 3-4 outside linebacker trying to blow up the quarterback every play all game long.
9. Rajon Rondo, Sacramento Kings
Rondo may not have the potential that he used to, but he can still drop dimes with the best of them. Second in the league with just over 10 assists per game so far, and even once said that he could've been a quarterback in the NFL. I'd certainly watch that.
8. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
The Greek Freak would make a scary cornerback. Already defensive minded, this guy could seriously mob wide receivers at the line of scrimmage, and make life extremely difficult for the quarterback trying to get the ball over his head. Not to mention, did you see his awesome tackle in the playoffs last year?
Not bad...
7. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Drummond is absolutely massive at about 7-foot and at least 280 pounds, and is clearly one of the most dominant centers in the NBA already. Could you imagine him boxing out linebackers and safeties as a tight end? I certainly can, and would pay good money to see it.
6. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
CP3 is known for his alley-oop lobs and swift moves. He's another point guard who I could see as a quarterback in the NFL. His specialty would obviously be throwing it up on fade routes in the back of the end zones, before his wide receivers catch it, score and dunk on the goal post (and then get fined, because Roger Goodell doesn't like fun!).
5. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves
Wiggins would be an absolute weapon down the sideline as a receiver. His athleticism is off the charts, and has tremendous length. I don't think there's a player in the NFL who could get as high for a jump ball as he could.
4. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
The Brow is another guy, like Antetokounmpo, who would make a nasty defensive back. And just like The Greek Freak, Davis would consume so much air space with that wing span that opposing QBs would just never throw in his direction.
3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Westbrook is the bowling ball of the NBA. If he were in the NFL, he might be the biggest home-run threat in the league, excelling in the return game mostly. Once he gets a full head of steam, it's hard to slow him down. Just like when he steals the ball and bolts for the fast-break jam, seeing him hit the crease on a long kick return would be a thing of beauty. Seriously, watch this:
2. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Griffin, considering his size, may be the best athlete in the NBA. He's fast and has perhaps the best leaping ability in the history of the league. As a tight end in the Jimmy Graham mold, what couldn't he do? No one could stop him, no matter how many defenders he was in the middle of.
1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Finally, King James himself is the final NBA player we'd all love to see in the NFL. It's already been much talked about before, but this guy is truly gifted. If he was still in his mid-20s, James would definitely be a highlight-reel player as a tight end or wide receiver. When he entered the league at 18 straight out of high school, he was 6-foot-8 and 250 pounds; by the time he was 25, he was probably closer to 280 pounds and still one of the fastest and most powerful players in the NBA. He would be a dominant NFL player, and there's not much that can dissuade me of that.
