Noah Lyles gave fans a gold medal performance on the track and an equally impressive performance off of it at the World Athletics Championships.
While discussing the World Championships, Lyles proudly represented track as a global sport while simultaneously taking a dig at the NBA’s “World Champions” title.
“World Champions? Of what!? The United States?!” exclaimed Lyles, winner of three gold medals at this year’s Championships.
“We are the world,” continued Lyles, referring to all of the competitors at the event. “We have almost every country out here fighting, thriving, putting on their flag to show that they are represented. There are no flags in the NBA.”
Expectedly, the NBA community quickly responded.
“Somebody help this brother,” said Kevin Durant.
“Whatever….I’m smoking buddy in the 200m,” responded Aaron Gordon.
Lyles’ rant quickly went viral and eventually made its way to ESPN’s First Take.
“First of all, congratulations to your greatness. Continue to represent this country the way that you did. Major props to you,” said Stephen A. Smith on Monday’s show. “I’m sure he’s a good brother and the whole bit. He just came across as flagrantly ignorant.”
Smith recited statistics supporting the NBA’s international growth and prowess, all of which were true.
The NBA is, arguably, the most globally diverse professional sport in North America. With players hailing from all over the world and foreign-born players dominating on the NBA hardwood, it’s hard not to call it an international sport, hence making the NBA Finals a World Championship.
But Smith and the aforementioned NBA players all failed to understand Lyles’ point.
Yes, the NBA is an international league, but it plays games in only two countries while track competes at stadiums across the world with individuals and teams representing their countries on global stages such as the Olympics, World Championships, and Diamond League events.
While the NBA community quickly got all up in its feelings, Noah Lyles wasn’t really taking target practice on the league as much as he was expressing pride and giving the sport the attention it needs and deserves.
It’s also important to remember that while he gearing up for the Worlds, Lyles was also promoting his documentary “Untitled: The Noah Lyles Project.” So what better way to promote it than by winning three gold medals and then boasting about track with your entire chest?
I’m not saying it was a PR strategy, but it sure worked like one.
Even though Noah Lyles’ reaction unintentionally came across as disrespectful to some, it was a boon for a sport itching for more consistent domestic support instead of a spike of support every four years when the Summer Games roll around.
And while it created a temporary beef between the two sports, it will blow over soon.
But not before track and Lyles reap the benefits from it.
