Terrell Owens has always fancied himself an excellent basketball player. After struggling to find work as a professional football player, the 39-year-old unemployed wide receiver apparently was trying to convince the LA Clippers to give him a shot.

Clippers forward Blake Griffin was a guest on “The Dan Patrick Show” Tuesday and was asked which football players could play in the NBA. That’s how T.O.’s name came up.

“Well Terrell Owens — he was at our practice facility a lot this summer, begging coaches for a 10-day contract,” Griffin said.

Asked by Patrick if T.O. has game, Griffin answered, “He can play a little bit.”

Griffin also discussed his own football career. He says he played wide receiver, and that he wonders what he could have done in the sport. Griffin says he wishes he had played football a little longer, but he’s glad he chose basketball because it’s less physically demanding.

Even though most people will view this as a joke, or another desperate ploy for Owens to get work, it must be pointed out that T.O. does have a basketball background. He played basketball for three seasons at Tennessee-Chattanooga while in college, and he won MVP in the Celebrity Basketball Game during the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend. He played in the United States Basketball League in 2002, and he even was offered a contract by the Atlanta Vision of the ABA in 2006.

Laugh at Owens all you want, but recognize that he is an exceptional athlete.

UPDATE: Owens’ publicist says T.O. never begged to play for the Clippers. “She adds It is not surprising that Terrell was at their practice facility this summer. One of his best friend’s, Jason Powell, is the head trainer for the Clippers.”

H/T Pro Football Talk