“Somebody help this brother,” that’s the response Kevin Durant had for Noah Lyles. As the FIBA 2023 World Cup kicked off, the final stages of World Athletics Championships 2023 were in full swing. Lyles secured gold in track-and-field for the USA. However, he surprisingly made questionable remarks about NBA athletes.

During the press conference, he took a dig at the practice of labeling NBA champions as “World Champions“. He questioned the tag’s validity since the competition primarily unfolds in the United States and that’s when Durant hit back. Devin Booker limited his thoughts to a facepalm emoji. Lyles’ comment also ignited a disagreement with prominent ESPN Television Analyst Stephen A. Smith, who has now apologized.?

Stephen A. Smith apologizes to Noah Lyles for being “bit harsh”

Stephen A. Smith’s passionate engagement with the NBA is a familiar sight. His intense enthusiasm and controversial takes often characterize it. Yet, there are instances when his fervency can reach a heightened position. Recently, Smith sharply retorted to?Lyles’ comments on the NBA, deeming him “ignorant.”

While discussing the difference between track world champions and those in American pro sports leagues, Noah Lyles said, “You know the thing that hurts me the most is that I have to watch the NBA Finals and they have ‘world champion’ on their head. World champion of what? The United States?” This comment ribbed many the wrong way.

However, in light of Noah Lyles’ significant accomplishments and his role in bolstering the USA’s global standing, Smith reassessed his stance. Acknowledging his overzealous response, Smith revealed that his friend, Boris Kodjoe, offered insights into Lyles’ perspective on the NBA. These insights prompted Smith to extend a formal apology to the young athlete.

?My opinion about what he said, I thought I was a bit harsh,??Smith admitted. However, he still maintained his stance by saying,??We still disagree to some degree, but the bottom line is the word ?ignorant?, that was just inaccurate on my part.?

Even though Smith disagrees with Noah Lyles’ take, he acknowledges the magnitude of his recent achievements. To counter Lyles’ take on the NBA, Smith pointed out the heavy involvement of international athletes in the NBA. He claims that the NBA has players from 40 different countries across six continents, giving them a prestigious pedestal in the basketball realm. However, Lyles isn’t the only one with such a viewpoint.

13 years ago, NBA’s HOF coach held the same stance as Lyles

During a 2010 interview with Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald, Coach Gregg Popovich expressed a viewpoint similar to Lyles’. Strikingly, almost 13 years ago, Gregg Popovich articulated a sentiment practically identical to the one that recently drew criticism toward track star Noah Lyles from NBA players.

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“It doesn’t make sense for an NBA team to call themselves world champions. I don’t remember anybody playing anybody outside our borders to get that tag. Isn’t that true? I keep waiting for somebody to tell me I’ve missed something.”

The practice of labeling the NBA Champions as World Champions began when the sport was not well-developed beyond America. Popovich made those comments before the influx of European and foreign talent in the NBA.

Do you think Lyles was wrong in his comments? Was Stephen A harsh in his criticism of Lyles? let us know down below!

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