Lou Williams recently placed emphasis on the NBA vs. NFL athlete debate by naming one player who can transition between sports.
Past and present NBA stars quickly dismissed the possibility that NFL players could make it in the league if necessary.
Williams, who retired from professional basketball three years ago, saw it differently after a great career as perhaps the sixth man of all time.
He still picks up occasionally and recently shared courtrooms with NFL players who were impressed with him.
Williams recently revealed that he played basketball with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf.
The former Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard was surprised by Metcalf’s game and even thinks he can have a future in the NBA.
“We did a little on-site survey yesterday,” Williams said. “I had the opportunity to hoop at DK Metcalf and there was a good run.
“He’s extremely talented. I told him to his face, “You’re one of the few people who will get my vote that could transition (to the NBA).”
“It was fun spending time with him and being around him. He’s a cool guy. He can play.”
Chandler Parsons asked Williams if Metcalf would play in size and strength similar to Zion Williamson.
“No. He can play,” he replied. “He can shoot basketball, put it on the floor, jump out of the gym, be physical and can challenge things on the rim.
The suggestion that Metcalf has a more balanced game than the 25-point scoring NBA star is eye-catching to say the least.
Williams continued: “He’s a hooper. He’s one of them… he’s an athlete. With his physical height, he could have probably done anything he decided he wanted to put his mind on.
“He can probably hit 100 miles of baseball per hour, dance basketball, shoot basketball, and catch soccer with obviously very high clips.”
Parsons shared the view that NBA players are more likely to move to the NFL than the other way around.
He argued that basketball requires more skills and that while most athletes don’t have one unless dedicated to the sport, soccer is based on athletic ability.
“Look, I think I’m obviously physical… I think he’s a freak, right? Basketball talent is the reason why they think it’s difficult for them to come. The physicality of soccer is the reason why we’re difficult for them to go.
“But I think there are more athletic guys who can move to soccer than talented basketball players who can come from soccer.”