Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro Call Out Noah Lyles’ ‘World Champion’ Comments

NBA players respond to track star Noah Lyles saying American players aren’t world champions.

U.S. track star Noah Lyles was celebrated after World Athletics Championship victories in the 4x100 short relays.

But some of his recent comments have many scratching their heads in confusion. At a press conference, Lyles disagreed with NBA champions being labeled “world champions.”

“What hurts me the most is that I have to watch the NBA Finals, and they have ‘world champion’ on their head,” Lyles said. “World champion of what? The United States? Don’t get me wrong, I love the U.S. at times. But that ain’t 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.”

"I love the U.S... but that ain't the world!" ❌

Noah Lyles throws shade at the NBA's 'world champions' 🏀👀 pic.twitter.com/BRCJagckcK

— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 27, 2023

Many NBA stars took offense to his comments, including a few from the Miami Heat. Tyler Herro responded to Lyles’ comments on Twitter, saying, “The NBA is the best league in the world, that’s why the champs are ‘world champs.’”

the nba is the best league in the world that’s why the champs are “world champs” 🤦🏻‍♂️ https://t.co/vg21oQUSrW

— Tyler Herro (@raf_tyler) August 27, 2023

Center Bam Adebayo chimed in on Instagram, along with longtime Heat forward Udonis Haslem. Haslem won three championships in his 20-year career, so he took exception to Lyles’ words. Even Heat target Damian Lillard laughed at the track star.

The U.S. is hailed as the pinnacle of high-level basketball around the world, so players are frustrated with Lyles’ suggestion that they aren’t victorious worldwide.

Hopefully, Adebayo and Lillard can represent Miami as world…or in Lyles case…national champions.

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Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at or follow him on TikTok @jaydenarmant.