The NBA vs. NFL debate is one of those timeless sports arguments that will never have a clear winner. But that doesn’t stop athletes from jumping into the conversation. Being the two biggest sports leagues in the United States, there have been divided opinions on which league has the most athletic players. Davante Adams, one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, threw in his two cents on the topic.
“We are not talking about doing a combine,” Adams said on “Club Shay Shay.” “We are talking about the physicality that comes with [playing an NFL game]. And being callous enough to understand like if my dad run out there and just fall on the ground right now, he going to be hurt, let alone getting hit and then falling on the ground.”
The athleticism factor
When we talk about athleticism, it’s easy to get caught up in the flashy moves and highlight reels. However, athleticism is what is mostly seen during a workout—speed, strength, agility, etc. Coordination doesn’t even come into play here. It’s purely about raw physical attributes, all relative to the size of the athlete.
There’s a solid argument to be made for both NBA and NFL players when it comes to athleticism. Take basketball, for example. One of the most demanding aspects of the sport is its non-stop pace. Players are constantly in motion, hustling up and down the court. You can’t exactly slack off in a game that’s always moving.
On the flip side, NFL players bring something different to the table. They often have the edge when it comes to straight-line speed, brute physicality, and overall toughness. Given the nature of the sport, the main focus of its players is building muscle mass, whether it’s for taking down opponents, blocking, or sprinting down the field.
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Different sides of a coin
Austin Rivers, a former NBA player, stirred up quite a debate when he claimed that around 30 NBA athletes could easily transition to playing in the NFL, but the reverse wouldn’t be as smooth for NFL stars trying to make it in the NBA — something Adams took a major issue with considering the grueling physicality for NFL players.
“It’s not even close,” he said. “The physical aspect is just one piece, but when you get into the speed…they’re agile, but just being able to move on grass is different.”
On average, NFL players weigh more than NBA players. That extra weight is crucial in a sport where physicality is key. But NBA players tend to be taller. Height and weight both play huge roles in each sport, shaping how the games are played and the kinds of athletes who excel in both.
Adams, a three-time All-Pro wide receiver, also chimed in on the difference in how long it takes to master each sport. He noted that football players typically need to spend at least three years in college to grasp the complex plays and strategies of the game. In contrast, college basketball players are eligible for the NBA after just one year, perhaps hinting at Bronny James being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers this past draft as a prime example.
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