by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors
Noah Lyles took home three gold medals at the World Championships and shared some critique for NBA players who consider themselves his equal.
Lyles is no stranger to being a fierce competitor. When speaking of his “fastest man” title he told ESPN, “Everybody knows that the title goes to the Olympic champion, and the world champion,” Lyles said last week. “Which, I am one of … and soon to be another one of.”
While his win should create pride in the hearts of many, some still can’t get over Lyles’ self aggrandizing at the expense of other athletes.
I know the NBA “World Champions” hate to see a gold medal winning Noah Lyles coming https://t.co/onx2fjRJS6 pic.twitter.com/T73PUXNG7F
According to Sports Illustrated, the six-time world champion pointed out that players in the league only compete in the United States and Canada. However, they refer to themselves as “world champions” when they successfully win the Larry O’Brien trophy. “You know what 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?” said Lyles. His comments made their way to NBA superstars like Phoenix Suns teammates Kevin Durant and Devin Booker and Portland Trailblazers leader Damian Lillard.
Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and other NBA players respond to Noah Lyles’ comments. pic.twitter.com/O1eApkNpFG
Players from all over the world set their sights on being drafted to the NBA as confirmation of their skills and ability to compete with the best players from across the globe. Though Lyles makes an interesting argument, the USA has shown up on the world stage and dominated in basketball competitions against the best players from other countries to the tune of 16 gold medals since the sport was first introduced to the Olympics in 1936.
Source: Black Enterprise
