We always speculate what some players in the NBA could do if they were in the NFL. I’ve put together this thought out NFL lineup comprised of NBA players. Enjoy.
Offense
QB – Brandon Roy – 6-6, 211
Roy is a definite leader with great size and mobility for a QB. He’s a good passer and manages games well. These tools would transfer over well.
Backup: Jason Kidd – 6-4, 210
WR – LeBron James – 6-8, 250
A fist-team all-state high school receiver. Had offers from Ohio State and Notre Dame to name a couple. With his size and the athleticism that we have all witnessed, he would be downright scary. He would tower over DB’s and use his 44-inch vertical as if he would need it. James probably runs a 4.4 as well. Think Randy Moss 2.0.
WR – Kobe Bryant – 6-6, 220
With all the LeBron-Kobe talk, the two would make an amazing WR tandem. The finesse-type player Bryant is fits nicely as an NFL WR. We all know he has the intensity and work ethic to be one of the best in the game.
Backup: JR Smith – 6-6, 220
RB – Nate Robinson – 5-9, 180
Ran for over 1200 yards with 21 TD’s in high school. Also played football at the University of Washington. I chose to put him at RB instead of the DB spot he played in college simply because of his size (we are dealing with NBA players here and I don’t think a 6-6 running back is the way to go). He has the quickness and strength, although he may need to add a little weight.
Backup: Derrick Rose – 6-3, 190
FB – Jameer Nelson – 6-0, 190
Nelson has the broad shoulders and looks pretty jacked for a point guard. He too would have to at least get over that 200 pound mark.
Backup: Russell Westbrook – 6-3, 190
TE – Josh Smith – 6-9, 240
NFL teams could put 10 pounds the lengthy Smith no problem. He would be the most athletic TE in the game with the fire to bang with the defensive lineman when blocking as well.
Backup: Carmelo Anthony – 6-8, 230
LT – Shaquille O’Neal – 7-1, 325
Who better to protect your QB’s blindside than Shaq himself? You just need a QB tall enough to see over him. In his prime he would have been ideal on the D-Line, though.
LG – Eddy Curry – 6-11, 285
He’s, well, big.
C – Tim Duncan – 6-11, 255
Mr. Fundamental would have no problems mastering the playbook. He would be an ideal fit on an offensive line.
RG – Greg Oden – 7-0, 285
Oden makes the second 7-footer on the line. Hopefully the giant could stay healthy.
RT – Jason Maxiell – 6-7, 260
Maxiell is intense and has the size. His last name sounds like an O-Lineman’s too.
Backups: DeSagana Diop – 7-0, 280, Andrew Bynum – 7-0, 275, Kwame Brown – 6-11, 270
Defense (3/4)
DE – Dwight Howard – 6-11, 265
Who would be able to stop this man? Even if he didn’t get to the QB all he would have to do is put his arms up.
DE – Amare Stoudemire – 6-10, 249
Superman and Amare would be flying past OT’s all day long.
Backup: Emeka Okafor – 6-10, 255
NT – Glen Davis – 6-9, 289
It has been stated that Davis weighed as much as 343 in high school. Now we wouldn’t need him to get all the way back up there, but 330 sounds good. He’s also the most nimble “Big Baby” I’ve ever seen. Davis, along with the freaks that could be placed at LB are the main reasons for the 3-4 defense.
Backup: Kendrick Perkins – 6-10, 280
MLB – DeJuan Blair – 6-7, 265
An absolute animal and that’s what you like from a MLB.
MLB – Joey Dorsey – 6-9, 265
A beast on the boards and a beast of a human. The Texans even came out to a Rockets practice to see Dorsey. “Football’s my passion – it’s my first love,” Dorsey told us. “They said I’ve got some of the fastest feet for a big man they’ve ever seen. I can see myself playing [defensive] end or tight end.” – Dime Magazine
Backup: Tyler Hansbrough – 6-9, 250
OLB – Ron Artest – 6-7, 246
We all knew this was coming. Ron will be all over the place and will act as the James Harrison/Ray Lewis of the defense.
OLB – Blake Griffin – 6-10, 251
Griffin also has the intensity you love from defenders. His strength, speed, and long wingspan make for a solid OLB. Good shot blockers obviously have good anticipation, which is another must from a defender.
Backup: Kevin Garnett – 6-11, 253
CB – Allen Iverson – 6-0, 165
Iverson played a Vick-like QB and DB while leading his high school to the state championship. We’ll put him at DB here since the average height on our O-Line is almost 7-feet.
CB – Rajon Rondo – 6-1, 171
I love Rondo’s wiry frame and large hands for the CB spot. Pass deflections galore.
Backup: Chris Paul – 6-0, 175
FS – Dwayne Wade – 6-4, 212
Wade is a perfect guy to overlook the entire field and anchor the defense. You just get that feeling that you know he’ll be wherever the ball is, much like you see from Ed Reed. Wade also played back in high school.
Backup: Chauncey Billups – 6-3, 202
SS – Dahntay Jones – 6-6, 210
Jones looks and plays more like a football player than he does a basketball player. His thunderous dunks and defensive mentality assure me that he’ll lay out more than a few people coming across the middle. Oh, and he has a 43-inch vertical. And if he has to, we know he doesn’t mind tripping his opponents.
Backup: Shawn Marion – 6-7, 230
K – Steve Nash
The guy plays soccer. How can he not kick?
KR/PR – Allen Iverson
I don’t know if you would want your center to be 6-11?! haha
biggest o line i have ever seen
By the way… How many takes do you think steve nash did to make that shot lol
I’m going to go with 2-3.