After American track and field star Noah Lyles shared his perspective on the NBA having World Champion titles during the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, the basketball league went into uproar. Following his dominant 200m win in Budapest, Noah Lyles expressed his disappointment with the NBA winners being called world champions since they do not compete against the best basketball teams from around the world.

Soon a host of NBA stars and fans were calling out the world champion online, with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Damian Lillard leading the charge.

Even after two weeks, the NBA and track world are continuing to indulge in this controversy. On the same note, in a podcast, an 8x NBA All-Star and former Indiana Pacers shooting guard also weighed in on the ongoing NBA debate.

Paul George comments on the Noah Lyles vs. NBA controversy

Speaking on his own Podcast P with Paul George, Kevin Durant’s ex-Olympic teammate partly agreed with Lyles’ comments. George claimed that Lyles was somewhat right in a technical way. But he also believes that the NBA is the best basketball league in the world since it involves a number of different international players that represent the best basketball talents of their respective countries.

At the same time, the 8x NBA All-Star also defended Noah Lyles’ point of view and acknowledged the hard work he put in against top sprinters from around the world to get his hands on a gold medal.

George further added, “But at the same time, I think you have a right – the NBA being the best of the best in basketball, with all these other countries and national players being a part of our league, yeah you’re a world champion. But I don’t think there’s a wrong answer either way.” L.A. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer also agreed with Paul George and said that technically speaking and after considering the definition of a world champion, Noah Lyles is in the right.

But he also added that if one wants to watch the best basketball competition, they should watch the NBA. Ballmer further added that this controversy is more of a technical debate that does not have any one true right or wrong answer. However, not everyone agrees with Lyles, and Kevin Durant has once again reignited his war of words with the American track star.

Kevin Durant’s latest comments about American track star

Kevin Durant was one of the first NBA stars to call out Noah Lyles online after his viral NBA comments. According to a Mirror report, the 3x Olympic gold medalist has once again stirred the ongoing debate by saying, “I still don’t know what y’all lames taking victory laps for… if you’re jealous of NBA players, just say that.” 

Durant had earlier also said, “Somebody help this brother,” when Lyles’ comments first surfaced. His Phoenix Suns’ teammate Devin Booker had also reacted to Durant’s earlier comments with a facepalm emoji.

Read more: “USA Gets Exposed”: Stephen A. Smith Forced to Eat His Own Words as Noah Lyles’ ‘World Champion’ Claim Resurfaces After Shock FIBA World Cup Exit

However, Noah Lyles continued his winning spree amidst all the controversy. As next year’s Paris Olympics approaches, both track and NBA fans will be waiting to see how the two sports perform on the world’s biggest sporting stage and hopefully settle this debate once and for all.

Watch this story: After Flaunting World Championship Medals, Noah Lyles Gets Back to Hustle Again Ahead of Prefontaine Diamond League