On August 25, track and field sprinter Noah Lyles secured victory in the 200-meter event at the World Athletics Championship which cemented his status as one of the world"s fastest athletes. However, it was Lyles"s post-race rant on the NBA that stole the spotlight.
Apparently, Lyles took a bold stance against the league"s proclamation of its winners as “world champions."
"World champion of what? The United States?"
Track and Field star Noah Lyles on NBA champs calling themselves World Champs.
(via @eurosport) pic.twitter.com/do1WC2vdYb
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 27, 2023
“We have to watch the NBA Finals, and they have ‘world champion" on their heads," Lyles stated candidly. “World champion of what? The United States? Don’t get me wrong. I love the U.S. at times. But that ain’t the world. We are the world."
“We have almost every country out here fighting and thriving and putting on a flag to show that they are represented," Lyles continued. “There ain’t no flags in the NBA."
The NBA drama just got a whole lot hotter as rap superstar Drake, known for his die-hard allegiance to the Toronto Raptors, fired back at Noah Lyles.
“He thought this speech was gonna be so hard in the mirror the night before… now the whole league doesn’t rate [you]" wrote the rapper.
Drake didn’t hold back on Noah Lyles 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/AiahQnP8Yj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 29, 2023
To one"s surprise, the comment section was filled with remarks from fans echoing Lyles" views.
Drake responds to Noah Lyles over ‘World champion of United States?" tirade in a mic drop moment
However, the NBA world has united to call out Lyles over his controversial statement.
"Somebody help this brother," wrote Phoenix’s Kevin Durant.
"Whatever… I’m smoking buddy in the 200m," wrote Aaron Gordon.
"Why bro care so much?" wrote Sacramento Kings All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox.
🚨NBA players put Noah Lyles on blast‼️
Kevin Durant 🗣️ "Somebody help this brother" pic.twitter.com/cL8a1HB3W0
— Track Spice 🌶️ (@trackspice) August 28, 2023
The 2023-24 NBA regular season is set to kick off on October 24th. The action will begin between two Western Conference giants- the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers.
