• Noah Lyles set the internet on fire when he claimed NBA Champions are not World Champions
• Paul George has shared his stance on the matter, agreeing with Lyles but explaining why NBA Champs are treated the way they are
• Team USA recently finished fourth at the FIBA World Cup
Team USA was competing for the FIBA World Cup Gold medal in the Philippines when Noah Lyles criticized the league, crowning its title-holders as world champions. Many NBA players took issue with what Lyles had to say, even though it was proven true when the USA crashed out of the FIBA World Cup.
Paul George has weighed in on the issue with his thoughts.
(Starts at 1:30:01)
“I think he’s right, technically… From his perspective as a USA athlete, he’s right about being a world champion when competing on that scale and winning the gold medal. But, if you’re in the NBA, which is the best of the best in basketball with players from various countries, then you’re a world champion.”
People are already victory-lapping alongside Lyles, who saw Team USA fall to an embarrassing fourth-place finish in the FIBA World Cup. The loss validated what Lyles was saying and brought to the forefront that Team USA doesn’t respect international tournaments enough.
It seems they learned their lesson, with a presumed superteam headed by LeBron James on its way for the 2024 Olympics.
Team USA In 2024 May Look Entirely Different
The 2024 US Olympic roster is expected to be headlined by a superstar trio going for their final hurrah at the Olympics. LeBron James will return 20 years after his Olympic debut and eight years since he last represented Team USA at the competition. Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry will join him, with Durant being the best USA player at the 2020 Olympics and Curry never having participated on an Olympic roster.
Along with them, many established stars around the NBA are expected to join. Devin Booker is already teasing joining the team on social media, while players like Draymond Green, Damian Lillard, Bam Adebayo, Jayson Tatum, and many others are already lining up to join the squad. The biggest addition could come if Joel Embiid decides to declare his allegiance with Team USA instead of France.
From the current FIBA World Cup team, Anthony Edwards looks like the only player who could possibly retain his spot and make it to the Olympics.
Are The NBA Title-Holders The World Champions?
This debate has been raging on for the last few weeks without a solution in sight. Nobody can agree on which side of the fence they fall on, which leads to more arguments. George summarized the debate very well, explaining why both sides think their argument is correct.
The NBA is an American league but is filled with the best international talent as well. Most national teams that have an NBA player are ultimately led on the court by that player, which makes sense given their NBA pedigree. Winning the NBA cannot objectively be called a ‘world’ championship, but it is an unofficial title of being the best team in the NBA.
The Olympics will likely be the place where the USA takes their crown back, winning Gold and reminding everyone that they’re miles ahead of the best international teams still.
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