Damian Lillard has doubled down on his bold statement that NBA champions can rightfully be called world champions. This assertion from an Instagram Reel resurfaced in the wake of Team USA’s disappointing showing at the FIBA World Cup 2023. Lillard’s original statement came during the Noah Lyles incident.
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The FIBA World Cup medals did not adorn the necks of any Team USA players this year. The favorites fell short in both the semifinals, losing to Germany, and the 3rd-place matchup, succumbing to Canada.
Damian Lillard doubles down on his Noah Lyles debate take
The contentious debate began when sprinter Noah Lyles ignited a firestorm by stating that American teams competing exclusively within their borders couldn’t rightfully claim the title of world champions. Damian Lillard didn’t shy away from this discourse. He originally responded with a simple “the f**k” on social media.
Now, when asked a similar question on his appearance on ‘backonfigg’, Lillard declared:
“Man, the NBA champs is world champs. I’ve been seeing everybody since they lost in the World Cup, everybody like, ‘Ahh, see, we told you.’ But the best players in the world play in the NBA. The best players in that tournament play in the NBA. If you take the best team in the NBA and send them on a tour to play in the best leagues all around the world, they’re getting smoked.”
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Lillard’s comments are extremely surprising. This is especially so, considering they come in the aftermath of Team USA’s surprising underperformance on the global stage at the FIBA World Cup 2023.
Giannis Antetokounmpo took a different stance to Lillard
In stark contrast to Lillard’s stance, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the reigning NBA MVP, voiced a divergent perspective. Antetokounmpo not only disputed Lillard’s comments but aligned himself with Noah Lyles, asserting that NBA champions should not be automatically anointed as world champions. This viewpoint was expressed during his appearance on the 48 Minutes podcast.
“I might get some backlash for this, but I really do not care. I totally agree with [Lyles],” Antetokounmpo said.
Giannis defends Noah Lyles 👀
(via 48 Minutes, @BleavNetwork) pic.twitter.com/iyuohcPsh2
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 13, 2023
What’s clear is that the USA is not the basketball powerhouse it used to be. With lackluster performances in several international tournaments, and stars in the NBA being more diverse in origin than ever, maybe Giannis’ comments make more sense.
Despite opinions from two of the biggest stars in the game, the basketball world finds itself divided over a fundamental question: does the title of NBA champion inherently give the distinction of being a world champion?
