“I Agree With You 100%”: Noah Lyles’ Controversial Take on NBA Got Massive Respect From Jamaican Olympian

Noah Lyles hardly ever sits on the fence. Therefore, much like his record-shattering sprints, his off-track statements also have a lasting impact. One such massive controversy had sparked just last year. In 2023, Lyles’ comments for the NBA after clinching three golds at the World Championships in Budapest became a moot point in the sports community.

Questioning the ‘world champion’ status of the NBA, he had said, “World champion of what? The United States?,” further adding, “That is not the world; There ain’t no flags in the NBA.” Drawing in mixed reactions, a few athletes supported Lyles’ opinion, while others lashed out at him for his take. However, his appearance in an interview with ‘The Powells‘ recently received deep-dyed support from the former Jamaican athlete, Asafa Powell.

Noah Lyles’ blast from the past garners support from Asafa

Noah Lyles and his girlfriend Junelle Bromfield recently attended the Fast Lane Lifestyle show, which aired on YouTube. A segment of the show saw the host Asafa Powell recalling this incident. The Rio Olympic gold medalist began, “When you said the NBA finals wasn’t the World Championships, they are not the World Champion, I mean they are the NBA champions….” “They’re the national champions,” corrected Lyles. “… and everybody got offended by that!“ continued Powel.

Shortly after, Powell gave an example to establish a better context. He suggested that if Noah, himself, and a few other athletes run a relay, they won’t be the world champions. That would remain an all-star team. To this, Lyles promptly chimed in with Powell’s hypothesis. Powell further reasoned why he deems Lyles’ take about the NBA was right.

He argued “You can say somebody from another country was on the team or what“ but the fact remains that, “it’s a state championship. You know you are the Champion for that state.” In harmony with Lyles’ opinion, Powell affirmed, “I agreed with you 100% and a lot of people didn’t want to hear that, obviously.” Noah revised it, saying, “A lot of Americans didn’t wanna hear!“

Powell even appreciated Lyles for spilling his guts. He said, “I applauded you for that, I respect you for that.” Moreover, after accepting his kind words, Lyles was given another piece of advice by the experienced athlete. And that was to “just keep speaking the truth,” despite all odds.

“Sometimes, it might not come out how somebody wants to hear it, but that’s how you view it; So just keep saying your thing,” added Powell. Powell sees the rationale behind Noah Lyles’ highly disputed stand. However, there exists a barrage of opinions on this matter. Let’s have a look.

All you need to know about the Lyles-NBA altercation

Lyles’ thumping victory at the World Championships was turned into a high-gravity situation given his remarks at the news conference. He prided his sport that has “almost every country out here fighting, thriving, putting on their flag to show that they are represented.” But also dissed the NBA by questioning their world-champion stature.

Kevin Durant was one of the first to react via an Instagram post comment. He said, “Somebody helps this brother.” Kendrick Perkins made a rather harsh jibe. He said, “Put his brain in a bird and the bird will start flying backward!!!” The matter even escalated beyond sports. Singing fame, Drake remarked, “He thought this speech was gonna be so hard in the mirror the night before… now the whole league doesn’t rate u.”

However, fellow track and field athlete Sha’Carri Richardson stated that she stands with Lyles. And that one has to go against the world to be a world champion. Also, subsequently when Team USA’s Paris Olympics basketball roster featuring national icon LeBron James got publicized, tennis sensation Coco Gauff thanked Lyles for “assembling the Avengers” before their international fight.

While Noah Lyles’ comments questioning the status of the NBA sparked significant controversy last year, he has found support from respected figures like former sprinting great Asafa Powell. Though Lyles faced backlash from players like Kevin Durant and entertainers like Drake, Powell applauded the young star for speaking his truth fearlessly. As Lyles continues to make waves on and off the track, the engaging debate around what constitutes a true “world champion” in sports seems primed to continue.