Stephen A. Smith denounces ‘ignorant’ Noah Lyles in brutal reply to US sprint king after mocking NBA for calling title winners ‘world champions’ and saying ‘USA is not the world’
- Stephen A. Smith has said that Noah Lyles came across as “blatantly ignorant.”
- Lyles came up with the idea that NBA winners were “world champions.”
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Stephen A. Smith believes Noah Lyles appeared “blatantly ignorant” when the American sprint kingpin mocked the NBA for calling the winners “world champions.”
Lyles said his 100-200-meter sprint double at the World Championships was a greater achievement than titles among most American sports stars because of his global competition.
“What hurts me the most is having to watch the NBA Finals and have a world champion on their head,” Lyles said. World champion of what? The United States? Do not get me wrong. I like the US sometimes. But that’s not the world.’
The 26-year-old’s comments have sparked fierce reactions at home. Several NBA players, including Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Aaron Gordon, a reigning NBA champion with the Nuggets.
“Someone can help this brother,” Durant wrote on social media, as Booker responded with a face-palming emoji.
Stephen A. Smith believes Noah Lyles appeared “ignorant” when he mocked the NBA
Lyles said his world titles are more important than NBA glory because he faces global rivals
Speaking on ESPN’s “First Take,” Smith also turned his attention to Lyles. He pointed out that nearly a third of NBA players are from abroad, even claiming, “It’s easy to argue that NBA players are more competitive with the international competition than he is.”
“First of all, congratulations on your greatness – continue representing this country as you did – big messages of support to you,” Smith said of Lyles.
“He just came across as blatantly ignorant. And that has to be said. The NBA has established itself as a global iconic brand.
Arguably the best player in today’s game – in many people’s eyes – is Nikola Jokic, Nuggets’ Serbian center. You have guys from Serbia, Slovenia, the list goes on. Luka Doncic – where does he come from? (Slovenia) Giannis Antetokounmpo – where is he from? Greece.’
“Noah Lyles said a very, very, very ignorant comment,” Smith said of the American sprint king
Smith pulled out some statistics to prove his point. It showed that there were 120 players from 40 countries and six continents in the NBA last season.
And it’s increased now. So how is that not global? How is that not the world champion? The best players from around the world come to America to join the National Basketball Association,” he continued.
‘Of the more than 450 players, almost a third is international. And the international players – instead of staying there or choosing to stay in their respective countries or in Europe, China, wherever… they want to come to the league, the NBA, because that’s the best basketball league . on the planet.
“So Noah Lyles said a very, very, very ignorant comment.”