Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Damian Lillard, and Other NBA Stars Express Displeasure with Noah Lyles' Claim of being 'World Champion'

American sprinter Noah Lyles stirs controversy after expressing his opinion on the NBA's status as the pinnacle of the sport.

American sprinter Noah Lyles, a familiar name in the world of track and field, recently stirred up some controversy with his views on the significance of the "world champion" title. Lyles, who is 26 years old, secured his third consecutive 200-meter world title at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. This impressive feat was just one of his three medals from the competition. He also clinched the gold in the 100-meter event, recording the third-fastest time in history. Notably, Lyles became the first athlete since the legendary Usain Bolt in 2015 to win both the 100 and 200-meter races.

During his final media conference of the meet, Lyles took the opportunity to express his thoughts on the matter. ESPN shared his comments on Instagram, which quickly caught the attention of several NBA stars, including Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Draymond Green, Damian Lillard, and Bam Adebayo. Their reactions varied from expressing concern to amusement, with some questioning why Lyles seemed to care so much about the title.

The NBA prides itself on its international appeal, with players from all over the world showcasing their skills in the league. Notable examples include Victor Wembanyama from France, Nikola Jokić from Serbia, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić, among others. Additionally, the U.S. international basketball team has a long history of dominance, with numerous gold medals at the Olympic Games, FIBA World Cup, and FIBA AmeriCup.

Lyles' comments coincided with the United States' successful advancement to the second round of the FIBA World Cup, as they defeated Greece. On the same day, Luka Dončić delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 34 points in Slovenia's victory. The timing of Lyles' remarks added further fuel to the discussion.

However, there is a deeper layer to Lyles' comments that often goes unnoticed on social media platforms. He aims to bring track and field into the mainstream conversation, a goal he has achieved to some extent. Lyles and Bolt are the only male athletes to have won the World Championship gold in the 200-meter event three times. Bolt himself encouraged Lyles to embrace his personality and contribute to the promotion of the sport. Currently, Lyles is being filmed for an NBC Sports documentary and will also be featured in a Netflix series on the 100-meter race. His desire is to increase the visibility of track and field.

Perhaps Lyles would have garnered more support for his cause if he had directed his attention towards the NFL, a sport that is already widely popular and discussed.

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