The world of sports is just like any other out there. Along with actions, words carry a certain amount of consequences as well. With the NBA world recently having been at the end of an alleged snide remark by 26-year-old professional sprinter Noah Lyles, various basketball and other sports players are reuniting to defend the professional league.

While many people have engaged in this recent war of words, Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson has taken a different approach towards the sprinter. This approach comes only a few months after Johnson himself was criticized similarly.

Magic Johnson shuns Lyles’ controversial remark and sends his congratulations

It all started two days ago. Noah Lyles made headlines after bagging three gold medals at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. During a post-race press conference, the sprinter highlighted the fact that he recently watched the NBA finals. He raised a personal criticism towards the term ‘world champion’ being used to honour the winners.

“World champion of what? The United States?” said Lyles as a few reporters in the crowd let out a laugh.

Trending

Billionaire Michael Jordan’s $20 Million Venture’s Identical Logo to Puma Gets Defended by Dwyane Wade: “I’m Not Even Getting Paid”

May 03, 2024 06:07 AM EDT

Rich Paul: Only Savannah James & Bronny Could Cut LeBron’s 5-Year Plan Short

May 02, 2024 07:10 PM EDT

WNBA’s Sad Policy Begins Haunting Rookie Caitlin Clark in Dallas: “Liberty Were Fined $500K…”

May 03, 2024 04:06 AM EDT

Rumoured Next Coach of the Lakers, JJ Redick Makes A Surprising Comment on LeBron James’ Relationship

May 01, 2024 01:01 AM EDT

Damian Lillard Shuts Down Trade Chatter With 2-words After Bucks’ Premature Playoff Elimination

May 03, 2024 07:31 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Lyles clarified that he loves the United States (at times) but winning an NBA game does not make an individual world champion.

“We are the world. We have almost every country out here fighting, thriving, putting on their flag to show that they are represented. There ain’t no flags in the NBA,” Lyles added at the end.

The comments by the sprinter have been subject to backlash from players across the country. Magic Johnson, on the other hand, hasn’t paid much attention to it and has taken the higher ground. The five time NBA champion took to his Twitter account to write “Congratulations to @LylesNoah for pulling out the double and taking home Gold in the mens 200M! Another dominating performance!”

Johnson’s comments come six months after he shared two pictures of himself wearing the ring in honour of his soccer team, the Los Angeles Football Cup (LAFC), beating their rivals during the MLS Cup Finals.

The tweet was accompanied by the caption “Check out my @LAFC MLS World Championship ring! The black diamonds really make the ring pop! I’ve never seen a Championship ring like this…Wow”

365 Days After Investing Millions in Multi-Billion Dollar eSports Venture, Magic Johnson Endorses Team Liquid in League of Legends Worlds 2023

Johnson’s usage of the word “world” became a source of amusement amongst the alleged haters. While some left their criticism in the comments section, others retweeted Johnson’s caption and criticized it on their personal handle.

Kevin Durant, Aaron Gordon and other NBA players criticize Lyles’ remarks

While Magic Johnson managed to turn the other way when it came to the gold medalist, other people associated with the NBA weren’t too kind.

The official Instagram handle of ESPN highlighted Lyles’ controversial remark on their handle. Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant took to the comments section of the same and wrote “Somebody help this brother”. The post also featured a comment from Denver Nuggets player Aaron Gordon, who wrote “Whatever… I’m smoking buddy in the 200m”.

Philadelphia 76ers star P.J. Tucker felt like he had seen enough. He left a remark that stated “can’t make this sh*t up”.

Juan Toscano-Anderson, a Mexican-American player, was a part of the Golden State Warriors’ victory during the 2022 NBA Championship. Attempting to correct the gold medalist’s opinion, he wrote, “Last time I checked, the NBA was the best competition in the WORLD,”

The people associated with the NBA weren’t the only ones who took Lyles’ comment to heart. Highlighting Durant’s comment, Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios took to his Instagram story to write “Running, Durant got more talent in his finger than this got in his body”.

WATCH THIS STORY: Luka Doncic Surpasses Lakers Legend Magic Johnson; Second Only to Oscar Robertson in Iconic NBA Record

What are your thoughts on Noah Lyles’ controversial remark? Let us know in the comments down below.