Pairing the NBA's Biggest Stars with Their NFL Counterparts

Basketball season is finally within reach.

After about four months of experiencing hoops withdrawals, fans will at long last be able to see their favorite teams and players take the court in late October.

But there’s a dilemma—we’re in the heart of football season.

What are sports-lovers to do? Surely they can’t be forced to choose between basketball and football. That’s just cruel.

Don’t worry, everyone. You’re covered.

On the following slides, the biggest and brightest stars from the world of the NBA are paired with their gridiron counterparts.

Each match is unique. Some players have had similar journeys throughout their careers, others play their game the same way as their partner. You get it—there’s no concrete formula here.

Enjoy football season, everyone. May your favorite pro and fantasy teams stay healthy and injury-free.

And while you’re soaking in the 16-week spectacular that is the NFL, get excited for the return of another sensational basketball season.

Gregg Popovich: Bill Belichick

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Gregg Popovich and Bill Belichick aren’t paired together because they’re cranky and old.

The reason these mastermind coaches are matched is due to their ability to build dynasties and perennial playoff contenders.

The fact that they’re cranky and old is just a plus.

The San Antonio Spurs have never missed the playoffs in a full season under Pop, who has been at the helm since 1996. During that time, Popovich has won five titles—including one last season—joining Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach, Pat Riley and John Kundla as the only sideline generals to win five or more championships.

The staple of Popovich’s run with the Spurs has been the trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. For Belichick, it’s been Tom Brady.

Belichick and Brady have won three Super Bowls together and have turned the New England Patriots into a yearly playoff threat regardless of the scrub receivers that Tommy B. has been forced to throw to in recent years.

Pop has proven to be the more vibrant personality, but both can be two of the angriest coaches in their respective sports during games.

Even with their franchise players headed toward retirement in the next few years, Popovich and Belichick are likely to keep their teams in contention as long as they’re on the sidelines.

Russell Westbrook: Marshawn Lynch

Russell Westbrook plays basketball like he’s mad.

Mad at the rim. Mad at anyone who dares to cover him. Mad at himself if he screws up and mad at the world if he loses.

Marshawn Lynch plays football with the same anger.

That passion translates into incredible power for both Westbrook and Lynch, two of the most explosive and imposing athletes in their respective sports.

Westbrook plays at 110 miles per hour. He’s a freak athlete who can overpower smaller guards and blow by guys that are bigger than him.

Lynch, by the same token, runs over anyone in his path—more than one defender is usually needed to drag him down. But give Beast Mode a step and he’s gone.

Westbrook and Lynch are both quirky in how they handle the media, too.

The point guard looks in his closet before each game and picks out the most ridiculous outfit he can assemble, while Lynch’s how-long-do-I-have-to-be-here approach is equally amusing.

Laugh all you want at Westbrook and Lynch’s behavior in the media room. Just be thankful that you're not the one being forced to try to check them on the court/field.

Derrick Rose: Robert Griffin III

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Derrick Rose is matched with Robert Griffin III primarily for the obvious reason: injuries.

Both D-Rose and RG3 have encountered some serious knee trouble throughout their careers, which has taken two of the most explosive players in their respective sports off the field for long stretches at a time.

Rose has played 10 games since tearing his left ACL in 2011-12. Last season, he tore the meniscus in his right knee just a handful of games into his comeback.

Griffin tore his right ACL early in a game during his sophomore year at Baylor. He stayed in and threw for four touchdowns before exiting at halftime and missing the rest of the year.

RG3 re-injured his knee against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card Game of his rookie year. He underwent reconstructive surgery and has yet to be the same player he was in 2012.

As Rose embarks on a second comeback tour, Griffin will attempt to recover from a dislocated ankle that he suffered in Week 2 of this season.

Outside of injuries, both Rose and RG3 have thrived in their endorsements with Adidas and have solidified themselves as name-brand players.

Here’s hoping that Rose and Griffin are able to overcome their injury-laden pasts and have healthy, successful careers.

Nerlens Noel: Jadeveon Clowney

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The next big things.

Nerlens Noel gets Jadeveon Clowney for a few reasons. Here are four things that they share:

1. Standout defensive ability
2. Injury concerns
3. Questionable teams
4. Awesome hair

Noel was a draft-night acquisition by the Philadelphia 76ers two years ago but sat out the 2013-14 season as he recovered from a torn ACL.

He’s being chosen as the front-runner to the win Rookie of the Year this season despite the fact that Philly will be offensive to watch for the third year in a row.

The Houston Texans took Clowney first overall in the 2014 draft with the idea of building a long-term defensive standout rather than trying to make a quick fix with someone like Johnny Manziel.

Clowney tackled DeSean Jackson for a nine-yard loss before tearing his meniscus prior to halftime in Week 1. He was ruled to be out for four to six weeks.

Noel and Clowney are poised to make long careers for themselves on the defensive end.

And hopefully Clowney adopts Noel’s sweet flat-top for at least a week before hanging up the cleats for good.

Paul Pierce: Steve Smith Sr.

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Paul Pierce has become that old guy at the park who has the time of his life schooling younger, more athletic opponents.

He talks trash, uses the glass consistently and references things that people under 30 years old wouldn’t understand.

…But he’s good.

Throw some pads on that guy and put him on the football field, and you’re looking at Steve Smith Sr.

Pierce and Smith are 36 and 35, respectively, but have yet to be defeated by Father Time. They’re still out there smacking youngbloods around, just like Uncle Drew.

These are two veterans who know how to get it done on the court and field while getting in their opponents' heads.

Now with the Baltimore Ravens, Smith racked up seven catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers, a team that he spent his first 13 years in the league with.

“That film is a coaching session," Smith said afterwards, per Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports. "I'm 35 years old, and I ran around those boys like they were schoolyard kids.”

You’ve got to love it. Like Smith, Pierce spent 15 years on the Boston Celtics before playing with the Brooklyn Nets for a season. In 2014-15, The Truth will suit up for the Washington Wizards.

When he squares off against his old teams this year, Pierce will do his best to make anyone who dares to guard him look like “schoolyard boys.”

Dwight Howard: J.J. Watt

Dwight Howard's pairing with J.J. Watt can be explained rather easily.

Howard and Watt are the biggest, scariest, most intimidating and physically imposing players in the game at all times.

The Texans defensive end was honored as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2012. Howard won the NBA’s equivalent of the award three years in a row in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

These guys are just flat-out animals.

Take on Howard in the paint and your shot will end up in the second row. Challenge Watt in the hole or try to throw over him, and bad things are going to happen.

Howard and Watt also have yet to take a team to the promised land.

Granted, it’s nearly impossible for one guy on a football field to single-handedly carry a team. But still, D12 and J.J. are viewed—and advertised—as superstars.

Joakim Noah: Richard Sherman

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Joakim Noah doesn’t care who you are, what you’ve done or what you plan on doing. If you think you’re going to have an easy night against him, you’re out of your mind.

Noah has become one of the game’s premier defensive players, a testament to both his basketball prowess as well as the undying passion that he always plays with.

No one ever seems to want it more than Noah.

Some would view him—as Richard Sherman would say—as the best center in the game!

Sherman is more than just a funny interview. He’s an elite shutdown corner who lets everyone know just how good he is.

Noah and Sherman are both the centerpieces of elite defensive teams, the Chicago Bulls and Seattle Seahawks, and have established themselves at the top of their sports.

As Sherman’s Seahawks look to repeat as Super Bowl champs, Noah’s Bulls will chase the chance to challenge LeBron’s Cavaliers in the East and get to the NBA Finals.

Both are definite possibilities. But if it doesn’t work out that way, we know that it won’t be for lack of effort—or trash talk—from Noah and Sherman. 

Andrew Wiggins: Johnny Manziel

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Andrew Wiggins was a star in college. He was taken with the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014 draft.

But since then, he hasn’t gotten the star treatment.

The Cavs dangled him as trade bait for weeks before eventually landing a deal for Kevin Love following LeBron James’ return to his hometown.

Does Wiggins live young, wild and free off the court? That’s none of our business. And it’s also not why he’s paired with Johnny Football.

When he’s not slinging the pigskin and dancing around defenses, Manziel is living his life like he's in a Lil Wayne music video.

And like Wiggins, he hasn’t been treated like a star since he broke onto the pro level.

The Cleveland Browns handed the starting job to Brian Hoyer, leaving Manziel to clipboard duty and minimal playing time that includes nothing more than gimmick plays.

Wiggins and Manziel may be draft busts. But they also may be the next biggest superstars in their respective sports.

We won’t know until they get their shot. When in doubt, though, listen to the Black Mamba. Here’s what Kobe Bryant said about Wiggins, per SLAM:

“Cleveland is making the same mistake that Charlotte made with me.”

Strong words.

The other reason that Wiggins and Manziel are paired is because Drake (kind of) made a song about them.

“Draft day, A. Wiggins…”
“Draft day, Johnny Manziel…”

Never doubt Bryant, and never, ever doubt Drake.

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin: Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson

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When Chris Paul lobs the ball towards the rim, it’s like watching a firework ascend into the air.

Blake Griffin is the usual recipient, and as soon as he gets his hands on the rock, that firework explodes.

Paul and Griffin have become the NBA’s best point guard-big man combo. Thus far, they have yet to take the Los Angeles Clippers to the Finals despite being one of the most talented teams in the league.

Ten years ago, though, we would never say “Clippers” and “Finals” in the same sentence unless it was a joke. Griffin arrived in L.A. before Paul, but together, they have taken the Clips from one of the worst teams in the league to a contender.

Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, the most explosive QB-WR combination in the NFL, have done the same thing for the Detroit Lions.

Johnson is arguably the top wideout in the game, and Stafford has got the rocket of an arm to put the ball where only Megatron can get it.

There is some serious competition standing in the way of Paul/Griffin and Stafford/Johnson, but these two-man firework shows could prove to be enough to take their teams on lengthy playoff journeys this season.

Stephen Curry: LeSean McCoy

Stephen Curry and LeSean McCoy have set individual records—such as the most single-season rushing yards in Philadelphia Eagles’ franchise history, or the most three-point shots made in a year.

But they’re not champions or MVPs. While some of the other guys on this list are paired because of their accomplishments or playing history, Curry and Shady are paired for their playing style.

Curry and McCoy put points on the board, people in the seats and highlights on the TV.

Staying in front of either of them is going to end in ankle pain and embarrassment.

McCoy is one of the shiftiest players in all of football. If he gets the ball in space, there’s a good chance he’s going to blow by everyone in the blink of an eye.

Curry is the same way. With a lethal crossover and dead-eye jumper, Curry—despite his 6’3”, 185-pound stature—is downright unstoppable and has emerged as one of the NBA’s premier point guards.

Another interesting similarity is that they’ve each also got standout sidekicks in Klay Thompson and Darren Sproles.

Curry and Shady are two of the top must-watch athletes in the world. Don’t blink or you might miss them.

Carmelo Anthony: Aaron Rodgers

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Carmelo Anthony is not the best player in the NBA. But he’s up near the top thanks to his elite ability to put the ball in the hole.

Melo had what may have been the best year of his career last season, as he averaged 27.4 points, 8.1 boards and 3.1 assists per ballgame.

But despite his heroics, the New York Knicks couldn’t give him any help—last season was the first time in his 11-year career that Anthony missed the postseason.

Aaron Rodgers feels Melo’s pain.

Rodgers, along with Drew Brees and Andrew Luck, challenges Peyton Manning’s title as the best signal-caller in the game.

This season, though, it just seems as if Rodgers doesn’t have enough weapons.

Running back Eddie Lacy, who had a breakout rookie campaign in 2013, has been a no-show, leaving Rodgers, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb to do all of the work.

The Packers might not go anywhere this season. But if they do, it’ll be almost entirely thanks to Rodgers.

An off-the-field trait that Rodgers and Anthony share is their growing brands. Rodgers is in a ton of commercials, and Melo’s partnership with the Jordan brand has helped him expand in the business world.

If you can’t win, might as well make money, right?

Tim Duncan: Russell Wilson

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Duncan is not what you would consider cool. He’s kind of nerdy, dresses like a dad with an affinity for Old Navy and rarely shows any emotion other than the “Go team!” kind.

But man, oh man, Tim Duncan is a good basketball player.

And he has been for a long time. A five-time champion under Popovich, the 17-year veteran has averaged 20.6 points and 11.5 rebounds for the length of his extensive career.

Last season, Duncan torched the Miami Heat for 21 points (9-10) and 10 boards as his Spurs closed out another successful championship run.

Now, Russell Wilson is 13 years younger than The Big Fundamental. And he’s got a little bit more of the cool factor, too.

But what Duncan and Wilson both share is the ability to lead their teams efficiently, limit turnovers and step up when it matters most.

Oh, yeah—and win.

Wilson has emerged as one the NFL’s premier young quarterbacks. The Seahawks, fresh off of a Super Bowl win last year, have become an absolute juggernaut on both sides of the ball, and that wouldn’t be possible without Wilson.

Big Timmy and Little Russy do kind of speak the same way, and they also love their coaches and their teams.

If Wilson can do on the gridiron what Duncan’s done on the hardwood, he’ll go down as one of the greatest players of all time.

Just like Duncan will.

LeBron James: Peyton Manning

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You knew this one was coming.

While James and Manning don’t share a hint of athleticism, they parallel one another in a ton of other areas.

For starters, both players sit atop the throne in the respective sports kingdoms. They’re the best in the world.

Beyond that, both James and Manning have experienced playoff heartbreak at the hands of powerhouse teams—the Spurs and Seahawks—and have changed franchises in the prime of their careers.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, James and Manning are also the richest active players in their leagues.

James and Manning will go down as two of the best athletes of all time. They’re the kind of guys you’re going to tell your kids and grandkids that you had the pleasure of watching.

Kobe Bryant: Tom Brady

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Bryant and Brady are accomplished champions who have helped build dynasties. Brady owns three Super Bowl rings, which compares impressively to Bryant’s five titles.

As great as they’ve been for so long, the veteran assassins have begun their declines.

Brady and the Patriots have looked pedestrian at best this season. Bryant has been forced to battle injuries in recent years, and he’s faced a problem that Brady also shares in New England: not enough help.

The Patriots and Los Angeles Lakers have ridden the Brady-Bryant trains to their last stop.

As painful as it is to acknowledge, the end is coming for these guys.

But it’s not here just yet. As long as they’re in uniform, you’d be out of your mind to bet against either of them.

Kevin Durant: Andrew Luck

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Are Kevin Durant and Andrew Luck viewed as the best players in their sport? No.

But they’re coming.

KD beat out James to win his first MVP award last season, averaging a league-high 32 points to go along with 7.4 boards and 5.5 assists. Oh, and he did it while shooting over 50 percent from the field.

Durant was unreal last year. Un-real.

James is still viewed as the league’s top dog. But over the course of the next few years, Durant is going to try to steal the throne.

Luck is well on his way to greatness, too. But there are a few QBs, most notably Manning (remember, he was LeBron), who stand above him.

The Indianapolis Colts released Manning in 2012 amid concerns about his neck and drafted Luck to serve as the franchise’s next great quarterback.

Luck and Manning’s storylines will never untangle so long as they’re both playing. Here’s an excerpt from Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post before the Broncos beat the Colts in a thrilling Week 1 showdown:

"

When Luck was in the eighth grade, his favorite player was Peyton Manning. Later, as a star Stanford quarterback, Luck worked summers at the prestigious Manning Passing Academy. But as an eighth-grader, he attended the camp in Louisiana as just another bushy-haired boy hoping to catch a glimpse of Peyton, or maybe even a pass, if Luck were lucky.

"

Durant and Luck are chasing more than individual greatness and records. They’re chasing championships, and to earn one, it’s going to take more than crazy stat sheets.

They’re going to have to slay Goliath.