“The difference between the NBA and the NFL — the NBA is, like, what we believe he can be, what we believe he can be, the potential,” James said, as transcribed by CBS Sports. “And the NFL, it’s like, what can you do for me this Sunday, or this Monday, or this Thursday? And if you ain’t it, we movin’ on.”

James bolstered his stance with an anecdote about a future Hall of Famer taking a veteran’s job due to injury and never giving it back.

“One of the greatest examples of all time is Drew Bledsoe and Tom Brady,” James said. “I mean, do we even have to look any further than that? We seen that when Drew Bledsoe got hurt.”

Gurley, who said last summer that NFL players are “mad about NBA contracts” given the greater financial security provided compared to the non-guaranteed deals in the NFL, agreed with James.

“That’s why I say your best ability is your availability,” Gurley said. “If your [butt] ain’t week by week … it’s really week by week. It ain’t no year by year.”

James’ thoughts on the differences between the NFL and NBA arguably pass muster. That said, injuries obviously negatively impact NBA players’ careers as well. It’s just that NBA players who suffer such a fate are better compensated than their NFL counterparts.