CNN
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Noah Lylesthe fastest man in the world right now, caused a stir and seemed to piss some off NBA The biggest stars by asking why basketball players call themselves world champions after winning the NBA Finals.
The American sprinter won the 100m and 200m world titles last week at the world championships, becoming the first man to win the double sprint since Usain Bolt in 2015.
Speaking to reporters at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Lyles said: “A world champion in what? United State? Don’t get me wrong, I love the United States sometimes, but this is not the world.
“We are the world,” he added, referring to the athletes participating in the World Athletics Championships.
“We have almost every country here that fights and thrives and puts up its flag to show that it is represented. There are no flags in the NBA.
Lyles, who is never shy in front of the camera, appeared to be making these remarks tongue-in-cheek, laughing and smiling with reporters throughout his answer. However, it has sparked a reaction from some NBA stars.
Kevin Durant, who was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player twice in his illustrious career, led the charge.
“Someone help this brother,” he wrote on Instagram in response to a post on ESPN.
Four-time NBA champion Draymond Green also took part, writing on Instagram, “When things go wrong when you’re smart,” with a palm face emoji.
However, Denver Nuggets star Aaron Gordon seemed to see the funny side, writing on Instagram: “Whatever… I smoke buddy in the 200m.”
While the NBA consists only of teams from the United States and Canada, the majority of the best players in the world play in the league.
Many of its big stars are outsiders, like two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic from Serbia and superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece.
American sprinter and women’s 100m champion, Chakari Richardson, commented on the debate and defended Lyles.
She posted, “I stand with Noah on this.” Social media.
“the organization [NBA] You have players from different countries but you are competing against different countries. You have to face the world to be a world champion.”
We may not see Lyles or Richardson on the court at an NBA game anytime soon.
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