VIDEO: Noah Lyles admits he doesn’t know NBA star Nikola Jokic in latest controversial comment
USA track and field sensation Noah Lyles has sparked fresh controversy after admitting he doesn't know who three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is. The surprising revelation came during an appearance on "The Nightcap Show."
Advertisement
When co-host Shannon Sharpe asked Lyles whether Jokic was one of the best players in the world, Lyles candidly responded, "I'm going to be honest, I don't know who that is."
This is not the first time Lyles has made headlines with his remarks about the NBA and its players, but the comment is particularly puzzling considering that Lyles previously stated he watched the 2023 NBA Finals. Those finals featured the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets, led by none other than Jokic.
“Imma be honest, I don’t know who that is.”
- Noah Lyles on Nikola Jokic
(🎥 @NightcapShow_ / h/t @ClutchPoints )
pic.twitter.com/pXtbzD3xsU— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 18, 2024
"You know the thing that hurts me the most is that I have to watch the NBA Finals and they have 'world champion' on their head," Lyles remarked last year. "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."
Lyles' comments have raised eyebrows, especially since Jokic, often referred to as "The Joker," played a pivotal role in Serbia's historic run at the 2024 Olympics, nearly defeating Team USA in the semifinals. It seems unlikely that Lyles would be unfamiliar with Jokic, given his prominence on both the national and global stage.
Lyles also took a swipe at NBA star Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, expressing frustration over Adidas inviting him to an event celebrating the release of Edwards' new shoe, rather than offering Lyles his own shoe deal.
Other Trending Stories
"You want to invite me to an event for a man who has not even been to an NBA Finals? In a sport that you don't even care about? And you're giving him a shoe?" Lyles questioned. "No disrespect — the man is an amazing athlete. He is having a heck of a year. I love that they saw the insight to give him a shoe, because they saw that he was going to be big. All I'm asking is, 'How could you not see that for me?'"
It's unclear whether Lyles' remarks are an attempt to gain attention or simply his honest opinions. Nonetheless, the American sprinter seems determined to establish himself as the global face of track and field, even if it means ruffling a few feathers along the way.