Mighty beef between former NFL pro James Jones and NBA pro Austin Rivers! This was preceded by a provocative thesis by Rivers

A fierce verbal dispute has broken out between the two US sports stars James Jones, who once played in the NFL, and Austin Rivers from the NBA. It was preceded by a provocative statement by Rivers on the “Pat McAfee Show”.

There, the 31-year-old put forward the theory that 30 NBA players could switch to the NFL and be successful there. Conversely, this would not be the case. This statement not only called NFL fans to action, but also former players.

In addition to J.J. Watt and Randy Moss, Jones, former receiver for the Green Bay Packers, spoke out in particular. In the “Fox” program “Speak”, he clearly attacked Rivers. First, he pointed out the NBA’s trend of increasingly resting star players and described this as “soft”.

He then took Rivers directly to task: “Austin Rivers, if you stepped on a football field, buddy, you wouldn’t make it. We already know that because you barely made it even in the NBA,” Jones ranted.

@89JonesNTAF COOKS Austin Rivers for saying there are 30 NBA players who could play in the NFL.

“Austin Rivers, if you stepped on the football field homeboy, you wouldn’t make it. We know that right now, because you barely made it in the NBA.” pic.twitter.com/iRr0cQmZsU

– Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) May 8, 2024

Rivers was selected tenth overall in the 2012 draft by the then-New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans), but never progressed beyond role player status over the course of his career.

The son of star coach Doc Rivers had his best season under his father with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2017/18, when Rivers averaged over 15 points and 33 minutes of action per game. He has been without a club since leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves last year.

Been just sitting back listening to the chatter. But I can’t help myself sometimes lol. James Jones…( the packer guy) I have never heard of you. But listen here ya little meat head…fall back lol. Talking about “you barely made it in the nba”…bro I was lottery pick who has…

– Austin Rivers (@AustinRivers25) May 9, 2024

However, he didn’t take Jones’ attack lying down – and clearly hit back on “X”. Among other things, Rivers called Jones a “fool” in a post and referred to his eleven years in the NBA, while Jones only played nine years in the NFL. “That makes sense. So by your own logic, you barely made it yourself,” Rivers continued to write.

But that wasn’t the end of the row, Jones went one better. The 40-year-old jibed: “We call you a loser on the street. You’re 1.90 meters tall and weigh 200 kilos, maybe you should have tried football. You could have had a better career, mate. “

James Jones responds to Austin Rivers:

“In the streets we call you a bust… You’re 6’4″, 200, maybe you should’ve tried football. You might’ve had a better career homeboy… basketball was not your career from what I’m reading right here.” pic.twitter.com/4U3MguKA6j

– Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 9, 2024