Devin Booker on Noah Lyles: I still don't agree with his comment... being an NBA champion is harder than winning gold in basketball
As Devin Booker acknowledged, though, there was a fascinating NBA backdrop to the event that was impossible to ignore. Last summer, after Noah Lyles won the 100-meter final at the World Championships in Budapest and sat at the podium for his post-race news conference, he took issue with the fact that NBA champions are often referred to as “world champions.” The comment went viral, with American players such as Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and, yes, Booker (who tweeted a face-palm emoji) sharing their disagreement on social media. Others, among them Greece native and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, agreed with Lyles’ idea that, with all 30 NBA teams based in North America, the team that wins it all should be considered a league champion. With that context in mind, how did Booker find the experience? “I still don’t agree with the comment,” Booker told The Athletic. “I feel like all the best talent in the world is in the NBA, and this is coming from an Olympic gold medalist (who believes) that being an NBA champion is probably harder to do.”
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Remember when Noah Lyles threw shade at the NBA for the use of “World Champs”? Devin Booker does. And while he enjoyed watching his fellow American become…a world champ…in the 100 last night, their disagreement on the debate remains. @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/56814… – 11:36 AM
Remember when Noah Lyles threw shade at the NBA for the use of “World Champs”? Devin Booker does. And while he enjoyed watching his fellow American become…a world champ…in the 100 last night, their disagreement on the debate remains. @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/56814… – 11:36 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Check out this week’s Forward Progress on SiriusXM Sports!
🏀 Gilbert Arenas’ Apology For South Sudan Comments
Book On The Only Woman in the Baseball Hall of Fame
🏈 How HBCU Programs Approach NIL & the Transfer Portal
📻 Listen Here: sxm.app.link/ForwardProgress pic.twitter.com/TWBthnXIpp – 9:39 PM
Check out this week’s Forward Progress on SiriusXM Sports!
🏀 Gilbert Arenas’ Apology For South Sudan Comments
Book On The Only Woman in the Baseball Hall of Fame🏈 How HBCU Programs Approach NIL & the Transfer Portal
📻 Listen Here: sxm.app.link/ForwardProgress pic.twitter.com/TWBthnXIpp – 9:39 PM
Jimmy Spencer @JimmySpencer
It’s time again for book recommendations … I want an incredible novel. Something soulful.
What do you recommend? – 3:56 PM
It’s time again for book recommendations … I want an incredible novel. Something soulful.
What do you recommend? – 3:56 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
NEW: Painful reminder of what could have been was administered this week with Booker’s relevation about Heat and his conversation with Riley
miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia…
2nd star guard now admits he thought he would be drafted by Miami. And Swider leaves. And notes – 11:07 AM
NEW: Painful reminder of what could have been was administered this week with Booker’s relevation about Heat and his conversation with Riley
miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia…
2nd star guard now admits he thought he would be drafted by Miami. And Swider leaves. And notes – 11:07 AM
Donatas Urbonas @Urbodo
Devin Booker gave his shoes to a young man who came to the USA vs. Puerto Rico game in Lille with a banner asking for sneakers. pic.twitter.com/zTEshfY0Oa – 2:13 PM
Devin Booker gave his shoes to a young man who came to the USA vs. Puerto Rico game in Lille with a banner asking for sneakers. pic.twitter.com/zTEshfY0Oa – 2:13 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker layup on one end, forces shot clock violation on the other.
Team USA up 75-54 in the 3rd. #Suns #TeamUSA #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/aSU8eG7aYD – 12:29 PM
Devin Booker layup on one end, forces shot clock violation on the other.
Team USA up 75-54 in the 3rd. #Suns #TeamUSA #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/aSU8eG7aYD – 12:29 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Loved how Booker wanted to set himself up to throw a lob to LeBron. Maybe next time! – 12:22 PM
Loved how Booker wanted to set himself up to throw a lob to LeBron. Maybe next time! – 12:22 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
The LeBron behind-the-back pinpoint pass with his right to Embiid cutting on the baseline was insane, but him destroying PR’s coverage on the Booker screen with a lefty bounce pass leading Book to the paint was also sensational. Off hand, in front of the moving target. Precise. – 12:08 PM
The LeBron behind-the-back pinpoint pass with his right to Embiid cutting on the baseline was insane, but him destroying PR’s coverage on the Booker screen with a lefty bounce pass leading Book to the paint was also sensational. Off hand, in front of the moving target. Precise. – 12:08 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
39pt 2Q for Team USA and it lead Puerto Rico 64-45. Edwards 12, Curry 8, Tatum 8, James 8,Durant 8, Booker 7. #Paris2024 – 12:05 PM
39pt 2Q for Team USA and it lead Puerto Rico 64-45. Edwards 12, Curry 8, Tatum 8, James 8,Durant 8, Booker 7. #Paris2024 – 12:05 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Nice bit of The Nuisance there from Booker in transition to get Tatum a free bucket – 11:54 AM
Nice bit of The Nuisance there from Booker in transition to get Tatum a free bucket – 11:54 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant 8 points.
Devin Booker checks back in. Team USA up 44-41.
#TeamUSA #Suns #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/fAC8uBKVZ9 – 11:53 AM
Kevin Durant 8 points.
Devin Booker checks back in. Team USA up 44-41.
#TeamUSA #Suns #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/fAC8uBKVZ9 – 11:53 AM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Short of the controller dying on that pass to Booker, thought Embiid showed improvement in that first stint – particularly on defense.
Closing the window high in coverage, blew up a play in the paint, good contests at rim. – 11:36 AM
Short of the controller dying on that pass to Booker, thought Embiid showed improvement in that first stint – particularly on defense.
Closing the window high in coverage, blew up a play in the paint, good contests at rim. – 11:36 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker to Jayson Tatum for dunk.
Team USA down 25-17 to Puerto Rico. #TeamUSA #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/ljBmIBbdPE – 11:32 AM
Devin Booker to Jayson Tatum for dunk.
Team USA down 25-17 to Puerto Rico. #TeamUSA #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/ljBmIBbdPE – 11:32 AM
Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
Starting lineup for U.S. men’s 5×5 Group C game vs. Puerto Rico:
LeBron James
Steph Curry
Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum
Devin Booker – 11:08 AM
Starting lineup for U.S. men’s 5×5 Group C game vs. Puerto Rico:
LeBron James
Steph Curry
Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum
Devin Booker – 11:08 AM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Bam Adebayo again off bench for Team USA today 11:15 a.m. vs. Puerto Rico.
Starters:
Stephen Curry
Devin Booker
LeBron James
Jayson Tatum
Joel Embiid – 11:04 AM
Bam Adebayo again off bench for Team USA today 11:15 a.m. vs. Puerto Rico.
Starters:
Stephen Curry
Devin Booker
LeBron James
Jayson Tatum
Joel Embiid – 11:04 AM
Evan Sidery @esidery
Team USA’s third game in group play begins at 11:15 a.m. ET against Puerto Rico.
Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid will be their starting lineup. pic.twitter.com/6UExTe95oz – 10:01 AM
Team USA’s third game in group play begins at 11:15 a.m. ET against Puerto Rico.
Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid will be their starting lineup. pic.twitter.com/6UExTe95oz – 10:01 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“You never know when your moment is going to be. I try to be solid all around even if it’s not scoring. Just defending at a high level, making sure everybody is involved and making sure there is space for guys to do what they do.” Devin Booker #Suns tinyurl.com/5n8vaddt – 5:54 PM
“You never know when your moment is going to be. I try to be solid all around even if it’s not scoring. Just defending at a high level, making sure everybody is involved and making sure there is space for guys to do what they do.” Devin Booker #Suns tinyurl.com/5n8vaddt – 5:54 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“Understanding you have to play a role. I always took pride in being able to do a little bit of everything. It’s not always going to be our scoring ability. You’re not always going to get the ball. Just locking into the details of the game.” Devin Booker #Suns #TeamUSA #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/aIlbj4NSjH – 5:47 PM
“Understanding you have to play a role. I always took pride in being able to do a little bit of everything. It’s not always going to be our scoring ability. You’re not always going to get the ball. Just locking into the details of the game.” Devin Booker #Suns #TeamUSA #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/aIlbj4NSjH – 5:47 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“We got Phoenix all over. We’re well represented. It’s a basketball town and we want to put the city on the map. No better way than winning gold.”
Mercury: Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper.
Suns: Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. #TeamUSA #Suns #Mercury #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/C7QNR20ueL – 5:30 PM
“We got Phoenix all over. We’re well represented. It’s a basketball town and we want to put the city on the map. No better way than winning gold.”
Mercury: Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper.
Suns: Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. #TeamUSA #Suns #Mercury #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/C7QNR20ueL – 5:30 PM
Jimmy Spencer @JimmySpencer
Alrighty, @KarlTowns …
Starting your book recommendation pic.twitter.com/RuOiWvmauu – 3:13 PM
Alrighty, @KarlTowns …
Starting your book recommendation pic.twitter.com/RuOiWvmauu – 3:13 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Steve Kerr raves about Devin Booker’s defense, adapting for Team USA in Paris Olympics (w/videos) #Suns #TeamUSA #Paris2024 azcentral.com/story/sports/o… via @azcentral – 1:52 PM
Steve Kerr raves about Devin Booker’s defense, adapting for Team USA in Paris Olympics (w/videos) #Suns #TeamUSA #Paris2024 azcentral.com/story/sports/o… via @azcentral – 1:52 PM
More on this storyline
Even still, Booker said, his support for a countryman outweighed any residue that might have remained from Lyles’ comment. “The statement was said,” Booker said. “I think how it was said — you know, it was just out of context. I feel like it was something that was weighing on his heart for a long time. He’s gained a following since then. He held it down, though, so congrats to him.” Booker wasn’t the only Team USA men’s basketball participant who witnessed the incredible event in person. He was joined by the team’s managing director and former NBA player Grant Hill, assistant coach Tyronn Lue and teammates Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum. “That was dope,” Tatum said of the evening at Stade de France. “That was my first ever track and field event.” -via New York Times / August 5, 2024
A day after Noah Lyles’ photo-finish win in the men’s 100-meter final, the city was still buzzing about the thrilling way in which the audacious 27-year-old American won Olympic gold. That included Team USA men’s basketball practice at Marcel Cerdan Sports Complex, where most players and coaches had to live vicariously through those who were there because they did not attend in person. But one of the players who did attend, and who enjoyed seeing Lyles back up all that braggadocio in a race won by a remarkable five one-thousandths of a second over Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, was Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker. “It was crazy,” Booker said. “I mean, it was great for America. Congrats to him.” -via New York Times / August 5, 2024
D’Angelo Russell: I thought he was going to Miami. Devin Booker: That’s where I was hoping… Miami was my best workout, and then I remember, I think Pat Riley came into he did an interview and he’s like ‘we’re looking for a player like Klay Thompson, we need to up our shooting.’ And I just shot 40 in college… I’m like ‘oh yeah’, I’m looking at spots right down there by the arena… Draft is crazy, your life changes like that, you have no control over it really. -via YouTube / August 4, 2024