Which NBA Player Would Be the Best NFL Wide Receiver?

When trying to decide who I would choose for this “What if”, the qualities I looked for in an NBA player were height/weight ratio, speed, skill/ball handling, and toughness.

Toughness has to be the biggest trait to look for, hands down. I’ve heard many people say, “Can you imagine if Lebron James was a tight end??” With his height, weight, and freak athleticism, of course he has the potential to be a monster in the NFL. But, the dude flops like a scared pygmy goat. Any minor hit and the guy is on the floor rolling around. You think that would fly in the NFL? Imagine him getting tackled. Imagine somebody giving him “illegal hands to the face?” He would be living in that blue tent on the sidelines.

Now, when thinking of a player to choose, my mind immediately went to Zion Williamson. 6’6, 284 lbs, and a 45” vertical? Sign me up. However, he hasn’t played a game in the NBA so I can’t choose him.

My choice has to be Russell Westbrook. 6’3, 200 lbs, with a clocked speed of 21.6 mph driving to the basket. Great hands, tough, and a big competitor. Does he flop? Sure, sometimes. They all do. But I had to choose someone. I still remember when he got that dent in his face.

Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints, the guy who just set the all-time record for most catches in a single season with 144 through 15 games, is listed as 6’3 212 lbs. If Russ bulked up a bit, learned how to catch a pigskin and not start dribbling it, and practiced in pads for a while, I would gladly welcome him on my Jacksonville Jaguars.