Who has more athleticism? NFL OR NBA?????

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pinoyheat551

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This will be a great debate. Who has more athleticism? Is it the NFL or NBA?



The NFL

There are 350 pounders that can run fast. There are quarterbacks that can run (VICK). There are receivers that can pluck anything out of the sky (CALVIN JOHNSON). There are safeties that are sensational and are always on the right spot at the right time (TROY POLAMALU). There are kickreturners that are blazing fast (DEVIN HESTER). But that is it...



The NBA

Freakish athleticism!!! Every NBA player can do what a NFL player does... Passing - everyone has to pass the ball and make an assist in the NBA. Heck, they even have to thread the needle among giant arms (players im thinking - CHRIS PAUL, RONDO, STEVE NASH). Catching - everyone in the NBA has to catch the ball. Heck, they have to do this even if it is a bullet pass. Also, they do this to make an ALLEY-OOP. SENSATIONAL DUNKS - they have short guys (NATE ROBINSON) that can make a monster dunk. They have tall guys (DWIGHT HOWARD) that can throw it down. And they have guys (LEBRON) that can dunk on people. DRIBBLE - everyone has to dribble the ball to move. In the NFL, they can move without dribbling. RUNNING - they have guys (LEBRON AND TAYSHAUN PRINCE) that can chase guys and block from behind).



When you take all these things into consideration. The NFL is way lagging behind the NBA in terms of athleticism. Every NBA player can do what NFL players do. NFL players cannot duplicate NBA players. Former basketball players in the NFL (TONY GONZALEZ, JIMMY GRAHAM, ANTONIO GATES, AARON HERNANDEZ). Look at these players. They are dominating the NFL because of their basketball background. They know how to BOX-OUT for a rebound. They do the same in the NFL. LEBRON JAMES will murder the NFL!!!! A 5'10 to 6'0 defensive back is no match for LEBRON. Heck, guys that are 6'7 to 6'9 are no match for lebron in the NBA. LEBRON is a freight train coming at guys. Its not fair. Why is a guy that tall and build (he's about 260 to 270), run so fast and jump high.



On top of all this, NBA players have to shoot the ball into a small basket. NFL quarterback just throw it in the area. The NFL is simple. Its a game of pass, run, catch, tackle. That's it. It's only esciting because of the HITS. The NBA involves more skills to master. This makes NBA players more athletic than NFL players...
 
Right away, I will admit that there is more athleticism in the NBA. But, I can't watch the NBA--I haven't done it since Bird, Magic, and Jordan left.



I will explain why.



Having played high school sports, including basketball, the sense of working as a team was instilled in me. I am attracted to sports where team play is at the forefront.



I do enjoy watching college basketball. If you watch closely, you can see that, at least sometimes, there is an organized offense being employed, as well as some sense of team defense. A little less than in previous years, but it is still there.



The athleticism in the NBA is through the roof, but it the style of play is very much geared to speed, taking a shot at the peep of an opening, whether well-advised or not, and defense geared toward steals, and a quick transition to the other end of the court, to see the same kind of "offense" in play.



Any successful football team must have all the players on the field working within a team concept, if it wants to be successful. Perhaps that's why you see so many "telestrator" diagrams on your TV screen after successful plays (where have you gone, John Madden?)



Add the "contact factor," and you have a complete apples and oranges comparison. I did watch Brett Keisel play in a Steeler off-season "fun game" last year. The man can move, defend, catch the ball, and throw down dunks.



Not to say the he's NBA material, but he's pretty athletic.



Unless we see LeBron line up at tight end, and go over the middle for a pass, run the route right, and hope the quarterback gets the ball to the right spot (team play!), we won't know the answer to this.



In the meantime, I'm happy that NBA fans are now "in season." Enjoy!



I'll keep watching football, and wait for the NCAA basketball tournament.



One last thought. Since I have buddies who have served in combat areas, here's an interesting question.



Who would you rather see defending your country--an NBA player, or an NFL player?



I know, I know, I opened up a can of worms. Sorry!
 
I did have to add this, as I am not particularly a soccer fan.



Given the athleticism of the typical NBA player (it's as good as it gets), if the next Michael Jordan would decide to play soccer, would it revolutionize that sport?
 
Hey said:
I did have to add this, as I am not particularly a soccer fan.



Given the athleticism of the typical NBA player (it's as good as it gets), if the next Michael Jordan would decide to play soccer, would it revolutionize that sport?
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I would say most of the top soccer players may be equal or better than Jordan in terms of athleticism, they can run 90 minutes without substituting on a bigger field with variable weather. As far as revolutionizing the sport Jordans size would probably hurt him as he wouldn't be be the type of player that fans love, which are the guys with crazy foot skills that can blow past defenders and score, he would probably end up being some type of defensive player. Soccer also depends on more than athleticism since for a team to win it takes all 11 of the guys on the field to work together correctly.
 
I dont think its fair comparing just the NBA and NFL. As the previous poster stated, I think most average pro soccer players are more athletic than the average pro basketball/football player. They have to run full tilt 90 min straight sometimes. Also, you ever play hockey? You need to be in amazing shape to play it at the NHL level. If I play basketball, football, soccer, or hockey, I am always the sorest after playing hockey. Also, just because someone is ripped or looks cut out of stone, does not make them more "athletic" than say a really good goalie in the NHL that has an above average looking body.
 
Put LeBron in a pair of skates. Don't underestimate the NHL guys. First you have to learn to skate, then you have to use a stick, then you have to learn to pass and shoot with your head up, not a pretty sight being caught with your head down looking at the puck.
 
That's a good point. The more I watch the NHL, the more I appreciate the athleticism in the game.



Though I'm not a big fan, I'll admit that there are some great athletes in the NBA. I have watched Jordan, and years before, Julius Erving, and it was an impressive sight.
 
I am glad I'm not the first to think Soccer. I have thought it before: What would the outcome be if top athletes from the various sports were put through a string of challenges that were designed to test athletic ability outside the practiced skill of their particular sport, like a modified decathlon.
 
Nth Degree said:
I am glad I'm not the first to think Soccer. I have thought it before: What would the outcome be if top athletes from the various sports were put through a string of challenges that were designed to test athletic ability outside the practiced skill of their particular sport, like a modified decathlon.
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Just the thought of watching soccer puts me into a near coma.
 
I say NBA. Sure you have to be amazing to be in the NFL and its really a athletic sport. I give the props to NBA players tho, they do most of what football players do, but constantly jumping and I think the big difference is the constant movement. Almost like soccer any good basketball player is where he needs to be and it is usually by the ball, football is more explosive(which I have always liked more, and thought its always easier.)
 
There is no legal contact in the NBA. There wouldn't be too much jumping in the NBA, if you were put on your *** every time you left your feet. Physical contact changes things a lot. NBA players know they are 'almost' untouchable, if they find a seam. So the slam dunks look great, so do the 30 foot jumpers. but



NFL players know they are never safe on the field, same as NHL players on the ice. Concussion rates are climbing at a staggering rate. PS had a friend die on the hockey ice, many years ago, from a puck to the chest. Another friend had his NHL career cut short with a puck to the throat- Trent M. Montreal Canadians.



So while athletes in all sports are at the top of their game, and do things that no other one can, I would rather be in the NBA, making $25 mil a year, for a few elbows to the face, though I need to grow a foot.
 
Scottwax said:
Just the thought of watching soccer puts me into a near coma.
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Thats probably because you watched MLS football........thats a load of shite.....try watching a English Preimer league game. being from England there is no comparison between the two and i was lucky enough to play professional in this country out of school
 
Scottwax said:
Just the thought of watching soccer puts me into a near coma.
Click to expand...



I feel the same way about Basketball and Hockey, but to each his own. Not debating favorite sport, just the athleticism of the players.
 
uniquedetailing said:
Thats probably because you watched MLS football........thats a load of shite.....try watching a English Preimer league game. being from England there is no comparison between the two and i was lucky enough to play professional in this country out of school
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Playing it is fine, but I find any soccer breathtakingly dull to watch. Sort of like bowling. I love to bowl, hate to watch it.
 
Scottwax said:
Playing it is fine, but I find any soccer breathtakingly dull to watch. Sort of like bowling. I love to bowl, hate to watch it.
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i respect your opinion but when you watch a big game live theres nothing dull about it.......
 
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