Noah Lyles has as soon as once more sparked controversy within the NBA world, with feedback he made earlier than the Olympics resurfacing and gaining traction on-line.
Throughout a dialog with TIME’s Sean Gregory in June, Lyles took a jab at Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. Lyles has made it clear that he needs a signature sneaker along with his attire sponsor, Adidas, and was offended when the model invited him to an occasion selling Anthony Edwards’ new shoe.
“’You wish to do what?’ Lyles questioned. ‘You wish to invite me to an occasion for a man who hasn’t even reached the NBA Finals? In a sport that you simply don’t even care about? And also you’re giving him a shoe? No disrespect—he’s an unbelievable athlete, having an impressive yr. I recognize that Adidas acknowledged his potential. However I can’t assist however marvel, how did they miss that with me?’”
Amongst these to react was Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who joked that when he noticed the quote, he thought it was coming from the notorious pretend Twitter account “NBA Centel”, somewhat than the true web page “NBA Central”.
Rattling I believed this was Centel https://t.co/jgTuPK0JIH
— Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) August 11, 2024
This isn’t the primary time Lyles has rubbed the NBA group the improper method. Final August, he stirred controversy by difficult the notion that NBA champions ought to be labelled “world champions,” on condition that the league primarily consists of groups from the US, with the Toronto Raptors being the one exception.
“You already know the factor that hurts me essentially the most is that I’ve to look at the NBA Finals they usually have ‘world champion’ on their head,” Lyles stated final yr. “World champion of what? The US? Don’t get me improper, I really like the U.S., at instances, however that ain’t the world.”
His remarks prompted important backlash from NBA gamers throughout the league.
Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Damian Lillard have been among the many star gamers to clap again at Lyles.
For all his discuss, the observe star backed it up in Paris this yr when he gained gold within the males’s 100m dash. Lyles additionally gained bronze within the 200m regardless of battling Covid.
READ MORE: Noah Lyles Responds to ‘World Champion’ Backlash
