NBA Lockout: Sports Alternatives for 12 Idle NBA Players

Professional athletes have always been infatuated with the thoughts of playing other sports than their own on a pro level. Some have tried and succeeded: Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders and Brian Jordan to name a few.

Most just flirt with the idea, but reality says there just isn't enough time for both. Well, NBA players are in a situation where they have all the time in the world unfortunately.

Here are some other sports/athletic activities 12 of the NBA's best can partake in while the lockout is in effect.

LeBron James: Volleyball

LeBron is a freak and in all seriousness, he could probably play three or more sports at a near-world-class level. We all know about football, but how about a different sport?

Imagine the King on the front line. He would be the most devastating blocker and spiker in the history of the game.

I know Wilt Chamberlain was a great volleyball player, but LeBron would be ridiculous. Don't believe me? Ask Wesley Johnson.

Metta World Peace: MMA

If you didn't know that was Metta World Peace, you'd probably say, "Is he the next great heavyweight contender in the UFC?"

The player formerly known as Artest has it all in regards to presentation to be a Mixed Martial Artist. He is in great physical condition, tough as nails and intimidating.

Sure he'd probably get his ass kicked by Junior dos Santos, Shane Carwin and Cheick Kongo, but it would certainly be entertaining.

Tim Duncan: Swimming

Some fans don't know Duncan was quite the swimmer as a child. After Hurricane Hugo destroyed the only indoor pool in his native Virgin Islands, he was forced to swim in the ocean.

Duncan had a fear of sharks, so this did not last long. Ultimately he turned his attention to basketball and the rest is hall of fame history.

Unfortunately, if the season is canceled and Duncan retires, he may swim away from NBA fans without a proper wave from the pool.

Kevin Garnett: Soccer

Kevin Garnett played soccer in high school...really. That had to be a sight, seeing someone that tall and thin dribbling through a crowd. Maybe he was a goalkeeper; he would surely have ridiculous range.

We all know he's got a nasty side as well. KG might lead all players for all clubs in red cards.

Dwight Howard: Water Polo

Water Polo? Yes, Water Polo. In this sport there are seven players. Positions are not all that important as many players play different positions.

The one specialized position is the goalie, he has to be proficient at leaping out of the water; strong legs and a long reach are extremely valuable as physical attributes.

Now do you understand? D-12 could be the greatest water polo goalie in history.

Rajon Rondo: Football

Rondo is a smooth athlete and very quick. He plays the passing lanes almost like a free safety. I could easily see him duping QBs to throw his direction and making the quick move to pick it off and take it to the house.

Apparently, those were his dreams initially, but like many kids, his mom steered him away from the sport for fear that he'd get hurt.

John Wall: Track and Field

Well, we all knew it wouldn't be baseball after that hideous first pitch display at the Washington Nationals game.

On a straight line, there may not be a faster player in the NBA. Derrick Rose is in the same category, and he may be faster, but I've got something else for him.

Wall's speed and quick leaping ability is perfect for the 110m hurdles. Maybe Wall should get his Edwin Moses on while he waits for the lockout to end.

Steve Nash: Hockey

Nash is from South Africa, but he grew up in Canada. He is pretty good on the skates and very tough.

Nash could be an awesome center; he could lead an over 35 league in assists...OK, maybe not, but he could at least not look like a complete idiot.

As long as they don't ask him to play defense; we know how he feels about that.

Chris Paul: Bowling

Chris Paul is an excellent bowler, as proved by this trophy he won in 2009 in a celebrity bowling contest. He is a spokesperson for the United States Bowling Congress.

CP3 takes the game seriously; if this lockout persists, he may have to bowl for dollars soon.

Rudy Gay: Cliff Diving

Rudy Gay has major hops, and he displayed them recently at the home of Rob Dyrdek of MTV. This type of athleticism and bravery (or stupidity) has a sport.

Maybe Gay could take up cliff diving during the lockout.

Glen Big Baby Davis: Pro Wrestling

Big Baby has the girth as well as the dim wit to be one of those old school wrestlers that needed a handler.

They would just yell out or smack their bellies as some sort of signal that they were angry.

Glen, Vince McMahon is getting a one-piece made for you. You could be the next ECW heavyweight champion.

Derrick Rose: Parkour

Although Parkour isn't technically a sport, it requires elite-level agility. D-Rose and LeBron are the best athletes in the NBA, but James may be a bit too big for this art form.

The way Rose penetrates, maneuvers and contorts his body to avoid defenders and finish looks like free-running at times.

The league MVP could pioneer the sport of Parkour. Hey, if skateboarding is a sport, why can't obstacle courses be built and scores be given for Parkour?