In a friendly Twitter exchange, future Pro Football Hall of Famer J.J. Watt responded to basketball player Austin Rivers' claim that 30 NBA players could seamlessly transition to the NFL, while the reverse would not be possible. Rivers made the comment during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," where he confidently stated that he could take 30 NBA players and successfully integrate them into the NFL.

Watt caught wind of Rivers' remarks and responded with a touch of sarcasm, playfully challenging Rivers to make the transition himself. "You don't have a job in either right now, so go ahead and try it," Watt wrote on social media.

In a subsequent tweet, Watt clarified that he himself could not envision playing in the NBA, jokingly suggesting that six hard fouls would be the extent of his basketball skills.

Rivers promptly replied to Watt's comments, demonstrating his respect for Watt as a football legend and acknowledging his athleticism. He then listed several NBA players, including Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, Zion Williamson, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, and Aaron Gordon, whom he believed could successfully switch to the NFL in various positions.

Rivers also specified that his initial comments were not meant to be disrespectful and expressed his desire for Watt to share his own list of NFL players who could transition to the NBA.

Following the back-and-forth, Watt admitted that he had initially misunderstood Rivers' context and apologized for his fiery response without watching the video. He clarified that he thought Rivers was claiming he could play in the NFL, leading to his defensive reaction.

It is worth noting that Rivers did not participate in the NBA during the current season, previously playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2022-23 campaign. Throughout his career, Rivers has played for seven NBA teams, with his most successful stint occurring with the Los Angeles Clippers when his father, Doc Rivers, coached the team. During his time with the Clippers from 2014 to 2018, Rivers averaged 11.1 points over 243 regular-season games.

The exchange between Watt and Rivers provided an entertaining discussion about the athletic abilities and potential crossovers between the NBA and NFL. It showcased the mutual respect both athletes held for each other and their willingness to engage in good-natured banter.