The NBA doesn't have its own version of Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson....Why do u think there aren't any 2-sport professional athletes in the NBA. Guys like Ronald curry, Charlie Ward, and Julius peppers had a chance...Nate Robinson had a chance but he's choosing to concentrate on hoops///Tony Gonzalez and Randy Moss tried... The only guy I think can do it if he chose to is julius peppers. btw, I forgot to mention that the great MJ failed miserably in his attempt at baseball... Some of the older guys might verify this, I'm not sure but I once saw footage of Ahmad Rashad playing for the sixers (he's more known for being a WR for the Steelers) ...
I guess it all winds down to what sport will offer more money. If your obviously better at one sport why play another that won't pay as much as the other.
I heard Tony Gywnn was a hell of a basketball player in his own right. Anyways, I'm not sure why there isn't any basketball player that could be successful in another sport. Though Shaq looks like he could've been a lineman in football.
In this day in age, it's increadibly hard to be a 2 sport athlete at this level, no matter what sports they are. The amount of time expended on practice, endorsements, etc. in just one sport is daunting for most players. Doubling that must be a scheduling agents nightmare. Terrell Owens played basketball for the Adirondack Wildcats a year or 2 ago and did OK. John Elway could have played baseball for the Yankees, but chose football instead. We all are probably aware of Drew Henson's ability to play at the highest level in 2 sports. Tony Gonzalez chose football over basketball, but has played in lower professional basketball leagues in the past. Guys like Deion and Bo just aren't around anymore and guys who actually want to play 2 sports are getting all kinds of issues for trying. Take the kid (who's name I unfortunately can't remember right now) from U of Colorado. Talented receiver for the football team and already a professional skier. Problem is, the assinine rules of the NCAA are claiming he's not ineligable to play football anymore because of his skiing endorsement deals. I can understand being currently or previously a professional in the same sport (My roommate at SLU couldn't play Div. 1 Hockey there because he recieved meal stipends playing Junior A's in Canada), but not in that case.
The last two sport athlete that I know about was Roy Jones. Played basketball and boxed. Did it on the same day a couple times at that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">danny ainge</div> I'm feeling pretty stupid for forgetting that one!
Kind of interesting actually. Randy Moss tried, I know that. IU think we will see one sooner or later, probably later though.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post"> John Elway could have played baseball for the Yankees, but chose football instead. </div> I heard that Elway was merely just using baseball as an empty threat, becasue in reality he wasn't any good and would've probably been stranded in the lower minors had he went in that direction. I see a lot of college football players who also played hoops (McNabb, Gonzales, Curry, Greg Gunther, Peppers etc..) but none were good enough to make it to the League... I'd love to see someone try, but I guess the fear of injury is just too large. or perhaps because the NBA season overlapps the other sports schedule too much.. btw, supposedly Ray Durham outjumped MJ when he was with the Sox...that's something to tell your children...
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I heard that Elway was merely just using baseball as an empty threat, becasue in reality he wasn't any good and would've probably been stranded in the lower minors had he went in that direction.</div> I suppose that's possible, but you don't get drafted by the Yankees if you can't play the game. I'm a Sox fan and even I can admit that. Oh yeah, Kenny Lofton played ball at Arizona.
How about Dell Curry? He played for Toronto Raptors and was also a pitcher for another team (he didn't do it at the same time though).
Scott Burrell was a minor pitcher I think....I can't confirm this tho, I just remember him saying that in Inside Stuff about 10 years ago lol
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm feeling pretty stupid for forgetting that one! </div> Me too, I had just heard about that not to long ago.
cuttino mobley in the university play football and basketball also pau gasol are a superb soccer player as like tony parker also very good soccer plyer.
There's this kid, I guess he's going to be playing both sports in college. Cornelius Ingram. He's a top 5 player in football (quarterback), and a top 15 player in basketball (SG/SF). ALSO J.R. Smith played football, but he said he's a little better at b-ball so he decided to focus on b-ball.
I know this isn't basketball but Steve McNair (QB Titans) was drafted by the Seattle Mariners but he decided not to sign. Could have been a Drew Henson type, but Air McNair obviously made the right decision.
Is it me or does anyone else see the direct relationship the 2 way player has with baseball? It seems like baseball is the only sport that can be played along with Basketball or football because of it's non-physical nature. Would someone ever be able to play in both the NBA and NFL and sustain the physical nature of both sports?
^good poinmt, and I don't think NBA + NFL would be possible With the way sports are these days,I don't think its possible without a year or two of training break in between playing each sports. The muslce uses and fifererent movements and pressures are different. Not to mention how many trainers train different aspects of each game. WIth each sport you train and train tin improving your body to excel at one sport. At the level that the pros do it at, I would say you need atleast a year of transition training to excel and be a good 2 sport player.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CourtVision:</div><div class="quote_post"> Would someone ever be able to play in both the NBA and NFL and sustain the physical nature of both sports?</div> From what I've seen of Julius Peppers, I think he could do it...He was a heck of a ball player at UNC (I think he led the conference in FG%) ...
