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Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker says NBA players wouldn’t have an easy transition to NFL: ‘It’s the other way around’

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Veteran NBA guard Austin Rivers sparked a debate about X recently when he said he could take 30 NBA players right now to play in the NFL, but that wouldn’t happen if football players tried to get on the court .

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III disagrees.

“No,” he bluntly told Fox News Digital while discussing his new partnership with RECOVER 180, a brand new, all-organic sports drink from beverage powerhouse Lance Collins, creator of BODYARMOR, among other beverages.

“I think there are definitely some athletes in the NBA that can play in the league or try to play in the league. But I think it’s the other way around. I feel like you can take NFL players and put them on the court.”

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Kenneth Walker III, number 9 of the Seattle Seahawks, runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

While Rivers gave options like Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans and LeBron James (who has been involved in this debate before), Walker pointed to his Seahawks teammate DK Metcalf as only an example of an NFL star. who could thrive on an NBA court.

Metcalf, who stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 236 pounds, is a freakish athlete with speed and jumping ability that dazzles considering his size, and that put him to the test in the year’s NBA All-Star Game. past.

Metcalf wasn’t playing against the pros, but he entertained everyone with a performance filled with dunks, blocks, and fast break points.

“Definitely him because people saw that he won the MVP. [of the game]”Walker said.

JJ WATT RAILS AUSTIN RIVERS FOR IMPLIATING NBA PLAYERS COULD PLAY IN NFL: ‘YOU HAVE NO JOB IN ANY OF THE OTHERS’

The debate has raged for decades and players in both leagues believe they are superior athletes, especially those who have played the other sport at some point in their lives.

Rivers said as much on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” earlier this month, when the former NFL punter immediately questioned him.

“You can’t take 30 players from the NFL and put them in the NBA,” Rivers said.

Future Hall of Famer JJ Watt came forward with his response to Rivers on

Rivers responded to Watt by not only adding his examples of Edwards, Williamson and an excellent James, but also saying he meant no disrespect. He simply wanted to have the debate.

Austin Rivers drives to the basket

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Austin Rivers, #25, goes to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, #45, defends during the fourth quarter at Target Center in Minneapolis on January 14, 2023. (Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports)

“My comments were not intended to be disrespectful,” he said, for which Watt apologized in a later post. “Just a point about how athletically gifted SOME NBA players are…

“Now give me yours for the NFL and the NBA… I’ll wait. Notice, by the way, I never said that. He’s very nice to me.”

Rivers returned to “The Pat McAfee Show,” where he claimed that former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley hit him to tell him he was right.

However, Walker puts Metcalf in the conversation, and there are others like the Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, and many others from the NFL who have been mentioned by sports fans in social networks.

Kenneth Walker III kneels in the end zone

Kenneth Walker III, number 9 of the Seattle Seahawks, watches as he stretches before an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Seattle Seahawks at M&T Bank Stadium on November 5, 2023 in Baltimore. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Until someone pulls a Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson and plays both sports at the same time professionally, this debate will simply be about who makes the better argument.

Walker isn’t one to test those limits, as the Michigan State product looks forward to his third year in the NFL.

He wasn’t very happy with his performance last year, because he couldn’t put together back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, although he finished just short with 905 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. However, he is working at the team facility during OTAs to ensure he is prepared to get four figures in the runs column in 2024.

To help him through those tough workouts, Walker uses RECOVER 180 to make sure he stays hydrated.

Kenneth Walker III walks through the field

Kenneth Walker III, No. 9 of the Seattle Seahawks, walks off the field at the end of the first half at Lumen Field on Dec. 18, 2023 in Seattle. (Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)

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“I usually feel like drinks that are recovery or healthy don’t taste as good,” Walker said of RECOVER 180, where her favorite flavor is fruit punch. “It may be good for your body, but it doesn’t taste as good. With RECOVER 180, it tastes good and it’s good for you. So it’s a win-win.”

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