LeBron to the NFL

[barfo]

And what do you think I represent?

The Catholic Church and the Dark Side, obviously.

barfo

 

[Natebishop3]

I've sniped at Sly via PMs about his mod style. I genuinely like Sly, and I think he has good intentions. Nobody is perfect, and the job is much more difficult than most people realize... unless you're barfo and you enjoy wielding power like it's a battle axe (the bastard).

I do have a talent for getting under Sly's skin though

 

[Natebishop3]

I will say this on the LeBron/NFL topic.... Michael Jordan was the greatest athlete to ever play in the NBA and he couldn't hack it in minor league baseball. What makes you think LeBron could just waltz into the NFL and be productive? I have a feeling he'd have a target on his back the size of Cleveland, Ohio. What do you think would happen if he played the Browns? The whole city would be salivating over the thought of LeBron getting laid out on the turf.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I will say this on the LeBron/NFL topic.... Michael Jordan was the greatest athlete to ever play in the NBA and he couldn't hack it in minor league baseball. What makes you think LeBron could just waltz into the NFL and be productive? I have a feeling he'd have a target on his back the size of Cleveland, Ohio. What do you think would happen if he played the Browns? The whole city would be salivating over the thought of LeBron getting laid out on the turf.

I think basketball to football would be a more seamless transition than basketball to baseball.

The skill sets between baseball and basketball are completely different. There is nothing in basketball that compares or translates to swinging a bat. In contrast, there are lots of activities in basketball that are very comparable to those required from an effective tight end or wide receiver.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think basketball to football would be a more seamless transition than basketball to baseball.

The skill sets between baseball and basketball are completely different. There is nothing in basketball that compares or translates to swinging a bat. In contrast, there are lots of activities in basketball that are very comparable to those required from an effective tight end or wide receiver.

That may be true, but the concept is the same. A super star player from one sport attempting to go over to another professional sport without any experience past high school. LeBron might have played football in high school, that doesn't mean he can step into the NFL tomorrow and be a good player, let alone a great one. Football is a man's game, and LeBron is used to being coddled like a newborn baby in the NBA. I suspect after taking a few licks from NFL linebackers and strong safeties he won't want to play anymore and will run home to momma.

 

[BrianFromWA]

But then he'll have to deal with Delonte West.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

That may be true, but the concept is the same. A super star player from one sport attempting to go over to another professional sport without any experience past high school.

No, it's not the same. If the skills from one sport translate well to the other, then the transition is more likely. Reminds me of Jordan Kent, who had never played any organized football prior to his junior year in college, when he joined the Ducks football team, and went on to play (briefly) in the NFL.

Compare it to the real world--a sales professional wouldn't be able to hop over to the accounting department, but would probably have a better shot at success in marketing. It's not just an issue of doing a different job; it also matters how much of the previous experience is relevant.

I'm not saying that Lebron (or any other NBA player) would be a lock to be a success; I'm just saying that Jordan's Birmingham experience is not a great barometer for judging the likelihood of an effective NBA-NFL transition.

 

[STOMP]

I think basketball to football would be a more seamless transition than basketball to baseball.

The skill sets between baseball and basketball are completely different. There is nothing in basketball that compares or translates to swinging a bat. In contrast, there are lots of activities in basketball that are very comparable to those required from an effective tight end or wide receiver.

physical traits that are a positive in one sport are a negative in another. For instance having a gigantic wingspan is a positive in hoops. But that same trait hinders a baseball player as it gives them a much bigger swing arc making it much harder to get around on inside pitches or adjust to a curve.

STOMP

 

[Run BJM]

Like others mentioned, the girth (or lack there of) of NBA players would worry me. Everyone marvels over LeBron being ~250 lbs but your average LB or TE in the NFL is about that much and 5 inches shorter. NBA players are string beans compared to NFL guys. Whenever this discussion has come up I've always thought the 6'7+ guys would probably be too tall for the NFL. Too many guys going at their legs. Same could be argued for the NHL too- they'd get knocked around because they don't have the low, strong center of gravity. Additionally, I agree with others that NBA guys could really only pick up TE or WR. QB is way too complex too just pick up and start playing at the NFL level. CB, likewise, takes tremendous reaction time that only years and years of experience can replicate. No NBA guys have the girth to play on either line and I doubt any NBA players are tough enough or girthy enough to play LB or S.

I would argue as well that the NFL, moreso than any other sport, puts a premium on athleticism. You see freaks of nature get taken purely for their physical attributes because coaches think they can get the guy to learn the skills down the line. This is more common with OL or DL but I also think that size and athleticism are huge factors as a WR or TE.

I've always thought it would be interesting to see guys like Derrick Rose, Monta Ellis, Russell Westbrook, etc. play WR in the NFL. They are so athletic, so tall, so coordinated, and they all show tremendous acrobatic ability in mid-air. How is a 5'11 DB going to stop any of them on a jump ball? How many WRs can you think of with the overall explosiveness that these guys have at 6'3?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I wonder if he's eligible to play college ball? THE Ohio State University could sure use him this year. Although if he wants NFL money, he'd probably have to play in the SEC.

 

[Denny Crane]

Look at Antonio Gates. He was runner up for Mr. Basketball in Michigan in high school and played for E.Michigan and Kent State. Gets drafted by the Chargers and ends up being the best TE in the league for several years. Lebron is three times the athlete Gate's is. I have no doubt that Lebron could be a very good NFL player if he put in the work. The dude is a freak, probably the best blend of all around athletic skill ever. Size, speed, quickness, power, finesse, soft hands, etc. etc.

LeBron would be a tight end in football. He's 6'8" 240lbs. That's even a little underweight to be a TE. He's way to light to play defensive line, where most of the tall guys play.

 

[huevonkiller]

Using the MJ in baseball analogy is bad. Baseball players spend years in the minor leagues perfecting their craft. MJ in the 80s was also a superior athlete.

No one is trying to say that in a couple of years an NBA player would be a Superstar QB. What I am saying though, is that NBA players have a huge advantage over the midgets and slowpokes that play QB in the NFL. I watch Cam Newton every week and his completion percentage is shockingly low, this guy is just an athletic freak. He has good vision and reads defenses well but he is not accurate. Michael Vick is not accurate either. Athleticism is a huge equalizer and NBA players are the most impressive athletes to me.

 

[Run BJM]

No one is trying to say that in a couple of years an NBA player would be a Superstar QB. What I am saying though, is that NBA players have a huge advantage over the midgets and slowpokes that play QB in the NFL. I watch Cam Newton every week and his completion percentage is shockingly low, this guy is just an athletic freak. He has good vision and reads defenses well but he is not accurate. Michael Vick is not accurate either. Athleticism is a huge equalizer and NBA players are the most impressive athletes to me.

I would still argue that it takes a long, long time to get accuracy and general football awareness as good as even Vick or Newton. Those guys have been QBs all their lives and while they look like shit compared to elite NFL QBs they're still comparable to your NFL average, which consists of the top guys in the world who have been QBing for many, many years. Vince Young or Tavaris Jackson might be more realistic but even then its a stretch. Your NBA-to-NFL convert probably wouldn't win many (any?) games for a while.

 

[huevonkiller]

Yeah they should have college football experience.

I would still argue that it takes a long, long time to get accuracy and general football awareness as good as even Vick or Newton.

Vick? Last year he was an elite QB so I don't buy that argument. Vick went to jail in 07, didn't start a game for three years, aged into his 30's, and still became a good thrower. This guy is barely 6 feet tall too.

As for Cam Newton, the kid is a year younger than me and is having a great rookie season. You have to adjust for Action Plays if you use Total QBR.

Those guys have been QBs all their lives and while they look like shit compared to elite NFL QBs they're still comparable to your NFL average, which consists of the top guys in the world who have been QBing for many, many years. Vince Young or Tavaris Jackson might be more realistic but even then its a stretch. Your NBA-to-NFL convert probably wouldn't win many (any?) games for a while.

Cam Newton is more efficient than Tim Tebow/Vince Young as a passer, and has superior rushing statistics. I'm talking about someone with athleticism on his level.

Mike Vick seems to fly in the face of your theory too. No offense of course I respect your views.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

LeBron would be a tight end in football. He's 6'8" 240lbs. That's even a little underweight to be a TE. He's way to light to play defensive line, where most of the tall guys play.

Dude there is no way in hell LeBron weighs 240. I would be surprised if he weighed less than 270

 

[Denny Crane]

Dude there is no way in hell LeBron weighs 240. I would be surprised if he weighed less than 270

He's 240 according to basketball-reference.com, 250 according to Yahoo!, and 250 according to NBA.com.

Big tight ends (height > 6'5") tend to be over 260 lbs.