Noah Lyles became a household name after winning gold medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter events at the 2023 World Athletic Championship.
However, he stirred controversy by taking shots at the NBA community, claiming that they falsely label themselves as “world champions” despite only competing domestically.
This statement did not sit well with Kevin Durant, who criticized Lyles for his comments and demanded support for him.
Lyles argued that the NBA is played exclusively by North American teams, except for the Toronto Raptors. Meanwhile, he and other Olympic athletes compete against athletes from around the world, giving them the right to claim the title of “world champions.”
Lyles sarcastically mocked the NBA by questioning their use of the term “world champions” in the Finals.
“You know, the thing that hurts me the most is that I have to watch the NBA Finals, and they have ‘world champion’ on their head. World champion of what? The United States?”
The reactions from NBA stars like Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, and Durant seemed justified as the league is progressively becoming more international.
Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and other NBA players respond to Noah Lyles' comments. pic.twitter.com/O1eApkNpFG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 28, 2023
Prominent players from Europe, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Joel Embiid, contribute to this global shift.
On the other hand, the achievements of Team USA (men) in international competitions, including 16 Olympic gold medals, five FIBA World Cup victories, and seven FIBA AmeriCup triumphs, challenge Lyles’ argument.
These accomplishments were attained despite many top players choosing not to participate in international competitions.
Some may see Lyles’ point as valid, but NBA stars emphasize that the league’s reputation and caliber justify their claim as “world champions.”
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