How come these grown folks don't know the difference between a National competition and a World competition is crazy as hell. They have allowed Pride and Arrogance to cloud their ignorance🙆♂️🤦♂️🤷♂️
@@NkMattson thats rich. I guess none americans have a issue with critical thinking. The nba is the best bball league in the world. The best play in it, the best quality basketball is played in it and it is what the world watches. Thus the nba champs are world champs. Until there is a league or tournament that has better players, better competition, better quality basketball that the entire world watches more then the nba finals. Then you can call that team the world champs. Until then the NBA champs are the world champs
@@Waywardbiscuit I think your argument misses the point of the discussion. the competition itself is called the National Basketball League and as such is not an international competition. while for marketing we take advantage of the different nationalities represented, but that doesn't take away from the fact its a National (American league). I hope when the world cup comes to the US or maybe the Olympics the difference will be clearer.
Man! Noah Lyles deserves a ton of credit. He said nothing but the truth. That needs to be said more often. The same thing when we call ourselves “America” that makes absolutely no sense. It is a habit or part of our culture that must be stopped. People do not realize how dumb that sounds to people outside of the US.
Let me know when KD, Steph, Lebron, AD, Booker, Tatum, Kawhi and a few others are there. That was the C team. This clown's 15 minutes will be up soon. Created a bunch of American people that will enjoy his loss
You nail it man. People like me who aren't from the US but were born in a different country in the American continent often feel annoyed by the ignorance and arrogance of this fact. Respect bro!
@@MrEJF02Your comment sounds as ignorant as the NBAs backlash at Noah. You do know that this isn’t a new criticism. I’m not sure why it’s so hard to understand that when a US Team wins a national title it’s not a world title. Same thing goes to the MLBs “World Series”. This has nothing to do with the NBA or MLB being the most gifted league in the world (my opinion but relative based on opinion). They just aren’t competing on a world stage.
@@anthonyhuery6460 well said, I do not get why people try to change the narrative. This is not about who is better. This is about the ignorance or arrogance we show to the world when our sport leagues use the term “World Champions.”
I also think it speaks volumes Noah Lyles won 3 gold medals at the World Championships but got no coverage until he made a comment NBA players didn't' like. Then was only covered because of his comments and not his accomplishments.
preach. noah in the prime of one the best track careers in history and only gets spoken about in main sports media when people are butthurt that he soft trash talked the nba smh.
Exactly! That was the point of his comments. Track and field is seriously under appreciated yet these are athletes who are going to great lengths to represent their respective countries on an INTERNATIONAL world stage! They deserve more honor in my humble opinion.
Facts. As an American, I have always said, how could any American sports league in America call themselves World Champions when they didn't compete against the world? That is absurd. The basketball gold medal in the Olympics won by the US, can justifiably qualify them to be called world champions. And they are. They played against the wold not against the United States. Noah Lyles should be applauded and congratulated for saying what so many people have been thinking for years. The arrogance in some of some of American sports leagues is astounding.
Um, although you did understand the problem, looks like you still did not understand it completely. An Olympic title is also NOT a world championship title. In a national championship (such as the NBA or the Premier League) it is about the national title, but not about a world title. Whoever wins the Champions League is a Champions League winner, not a world champion. Italy won the last European Soccer Championship against other national teams from all over Europe. They are now European champions, NOT world champions, because it has been a EUROPEAN Championship. In basketball in the last Olympic Games, the USA actually won. So the USA is the reigning Olympic champion. But not world champion. Why? Because Spain won the last world championship. So the world champion at that time was... surprise ... Spain! And the Olympic title - although it is to be valued just as highly - has absolutely nothing to do with a world champion title. The world championship title is ONLY awarded at a world championship, held by the official world association of the respective sport. Just like the one that ended today with Germany as the new world champions.
Your epistle did not convince me what Noah Lyles said was incorrect. Olympic champions are the true world champions. The world sent their best to compete. No amateur or mediocre representation. Plain and simple. Let’s not over complicate this FACT.
@@136760mas1 Actually for the longest time only amateurs were even allowed to start at Olympic Games. May be Noah wanted to say that it´s even harder to become Olympic Champion and I would agree. In many sports (besides may be Soccer) the Olympic title is seen one step above the world title. So being Olympic Champion is not a downgrade form world champion. Quiet the opposite. But still. It´s no world championship. That´s a simple fact.
Jesus!!!! AMÉRICA IS A CONTINENT , people !…. “As an American “ is wrong right there!!!!! As U.S citizen …..Canadians ,Mexicans,Uruguay, Argentina,Brazil,United States, Jamaica,Bahamas,and many others are LOCATED IN A CONTINENT CALL AMERICA!!! and this CONTINENT is divided in 3parts (North,Central and south)…. Is like a Chinese people say I’m Asia referring to China!!! NOooo!!! Or Irish saying “I’m Europe “ referring to Ireland. Just because Unite States Of America has the world of (america)….u can not refere your self to U.S!!!!! Definition of continent : A large divided territorial between countries of the SAME area!!!!!
@136760ma1 LOL. If winners of the basketball event at the Olympics are world Champions, what do you call winners of the FIBA World Cup? You win the Olympics you're the Olympics Champions. You win the FIBA World Cup, you're a World Cup winner or in other words, World Champions. What is better between those two competitions is entirely a different debate.
Notice how only American players had a problem with it? Not one international player had a problem with it coz they agreed with him (like the rest of the world).
@@kingjulien9525in late 80s and 90s NBA champs could also be world champs. Recall it used to be that after you won the NBA title you then played in the McDonalds World Championship against top teams from around the world. Hence MJs world champion 1997 Bulls team. Edit: but they discontinued the McDonalds World Club Tournament in 2000.
@@meg-k-waldren I'm old enough to remember those days. Those were more exhibition games to promote the nba overseas, not as legitimate as the Olympic games for instance. The Dream Team 1992 is world champion, the Chicago Bulls 1992 is NOT world champion.
He's paid to dumb down "his people" Lyles dared use critical thinking...it's about his credibility since even his people didn't eat up his nonsense...a gatekeeper...
Been trying to explain this to a lot of Americans even with credible sources - so far with very little results. Nice to see someone finally get it, respect!
you have no credible sources. There is no other basketball league with the best players, the quality ball and that the world watches. Until there is a league that beats the nba at all those things then the nba champs are the world champs
@@Waywardbiscuit the soccer example is right there ya silly goose. premiere league is the best league and the best players all over the world flock to play in it like basketball players do with the nba. do premiere league champs call themselves world champs? it's just silly lol.
It’s the same thing with UFC and Bellator, can the top Bellator fighter beat a UFC fighter, sure he can but can the top Bellator fighter beat the top UFC fighter, absolutely not and we seen it multiple times. We also seen UFC fighters go down to Bellator at the end of their careers and dominate in Bellator. UFC fighters call them the best in the world because there’s not another league that can compete with the UFC, and that’s the same with the NBA. There’s not a single league that can compete with the top 5 NBA teams if not the top 10 teams.
he has a whole lot more times when he don't admit when he's wrong and he's wrong about a lot of things.if more folks did there own research and stop taking his word as gospel they would know that an average grade school kid can figure that out but there are too mant grown folks not knowing crap and telling people anything that comes from their mouths.its sick and pathetic that people don't know what world championship means.
Go watch the last moments of the NBA finals and look n listen for the word "world champions" or Champions of the world" the NBA does not sell any merch that says "world champions" or "champions of the world" Steven A take might not had nothing to do with it but it was still an ignorant take by Noah Lyles bcuz the US is playing in the FIBA world cup n the Olympics so we know the difference so its straight ignorant Steven A is not 100% knowledgeable about this
He really didnt admit he was wrong...he admitted he was wrong for calling him ignorant...but he just cant admit that his perspective is just wrong...the Denver Nuggets are not world champs...they are NBA champs...the champs of a league...they didnt beat the world...they may have beaten teams composed of players from around the world but they didnt beat world teams...SAS...you got it wrong bro!!
Like the other guy just said go and look at the Merch they gave the Nuggets and the signs. All say NBA champion and not world. Noah is saying what some of the NBA players say they are World Champions. The NBA doesn’t market any team with being a World Champion. This is Semantics and Noah was just feeling himself and the way he expressed it showed he is not humble. No one from the NBA attacked him and went after them. He will not be getting to many popular connections with his shenanigans. He should stayed in his lane because it’s a mute point.
😏🙄 *You don't find it quite disturbing that those sitting around that ESPN table 'agreed' with Stephen A. Smith's total disdain for Noah Lyles and his comment, his opinion? That doesn't bother you or give you pause?* 🤔
@@8dollars276bro it just depends how literal you take the statement honestly. Literally, ofc its not a world champion, but only once u give the outer thinking that it is the best team of the best league winning the NBA championship, that's why we just in honour up it to "world champion status" cuz essentially no other team can mess with an NBA championship team. Literally Lyles is right, but NBA just being hella emotional rn and taking it out of the literal context to which lyles was probably intending to.
@@bigdripbobz1072There is no depends he is right end of. Can't be awarding titles just because you "think" a team is the best. They must go and win to prove it. Otherwise why do we even have competition?
I still can't believe this was up for debate. It's the most common of common sense. NBA is a clash of cities, world championship sports is a clash of NATIONS!! Like seriously, this is almost laughable.
wrong ...NBA is a clash of billionaire owners...those teams ain't loyal to no city lol....its all about billionaire egos and braggig rights... in the presentation you see who raises the trophy first ?
Y’all corny don’t watch then y’all be having so much hate in y’all heart it’s not about the name who gives af the players were mad cause they felt disrespected cause they know their the best in the world. That dude better win gold
Man, my respect for you has risen to another level my dear Big Brother Steven A. Thank You Sir! Sincerely! Thank You! I felt very sad about your initial statement and couldn’t believe you thought Lyles was wrong. I’m happy now Sir!
Because statements like what Noah Lyles said bruised a lot of egos. So emotions superceded logic. Boris Cudjoe, who is German-American, understood fully well what Lyles said from the jump. It's simple, if you win a domestic competition, u are a domestic champion. It's not abt if other teams from other places cannot beat u or not
I’m confused as to how it’s only correct because they took it literally. What other way is there to take it. Noah was obviously correctly, literally and how ever else you want to take it
International players are not representing their country. They are representing a team in an American league. When an international player wins a championship his country doesn’t get a thropy,the American team gets the trophy , so even the argument that only because the NBA has international players should be world champions is invalid
I am glad you had the courage to apologize Stephen A. I am not sure how you didn't see this from the beginning when the entire world saw it. We aren't going to disrespect anybody but we throw out all sorts of accolades to some of these athletes who aren't deserving. There are certain things money can't buy and class is one of them. I think we need to step back and think before we respond. Stop using the word ignorant to the wide audience that you Garner. It's degrading.
While I agree with your main point, I dislike this class thing constantly being thrown around in sports. It’s very subjective depending on your environment and upbringing not to mention, in this scenario, though Noah Lyles was correct, could he not have shown more class and respect for his fellow American athletes? His tone was very condescending, and he could’ve used his moment of attention to educate people without sounding so pompous about it. Or is it ok to have that tone because people find it popular to dislike the “spoiled” nba players now?
Took a step back a thought about it before saying anything. Now here it comes though. Feels to me like the entire controversy originated when Lyles, intentionally or unintentionally, threw shade at fellow athletes. Athleates who have put in an incredible amount of work, just like him, to be at the top of their sport. And make no mistake - If you're playing in the NBA, regardless of which country you are from, you are at the peak of basketball. Are you a "world champion" if you win the NBA title? Technically, no, but this is semantics. Winning the olympic gold in basketball or the actual world championship ironiclly isn't the top acheivment in the sport of basketball. It just isn't. But Lyles comes from a sport where that is the case. Where you are the best by winning the world title. Are some NBA guys clapping back cause of ego? Probably a few I'd imagine, but how would you like it if, again. you busted your butt and sacraficed a lot to reach such heights and then some dude on his victory lap and high horse says you ain't all that good till you have the arbitrary title of "world champion."
Believe me he doesn't mean it the only reason why he's doing it because people came at him with receipts and he wants to stay in favor the ship is going down
@@bernardjameswilson 💥 *EXACTLY! Stephen A. just did what Stephen A. ALWAYS DO - run his mouth, loud and proud, but is oftentimes void of facts. Period.*
@@Squadplayanominally, you’re correct, but in practice there’s no league that competes with the nba and there’s no one country eight he amount of talent in the US. Its not like soccer. So the nba are the de facto world champs
@@kefkapalazzo1 that stills doesn't explain being a world champ. I understand there aren't other leagues that directly competes with the NBA but that's the whole point of what the guy was saying. We don't have to think too deep. Everyone is thinking oh we have the best players so the champs are world champs. The main point is it's not a world competition even tho foreign players play in the NBA
It’s actually so shameful that some people think that this issue should be debated! It’s unfortunate that it had to take Noah Lyles saying what he said for some people to see reasons.
@@creedd5547 You literally missed the whole point of why it's incorrect. What you say is exactly what SAS just explained in this video from his friend why you're wrong.
@@creedd5547 you’re literally brainless at this point and missed the whole point. Just as slow as Mr. Smith here; acknowledging he’s wrong but still holding on to his point while you miss it entirely. 💀💀 crazy stuff.
@@creedd5547exactly .. we all know that Noah Is taking about competition.... why would he be speaking literal there's just no point he just talking for no reason.... he just doesn't understand that the NBA has every best player from each country in their league...... I mean they're right but their points are worth nothing competitively because its actually better to win a NBA championship than a world championship for Basketball
I can’t believe it’s took you & a lot of NBA players this long to understand Noah’s point. It’s literally basic logic & everyone outside of America got what Noah was saying and agreed
I literally said these same things on my Facebook to my friends and a lot of them trashed me for it because they are big NBA fans. The first word in the NBA is National that alone kills the argument of it being a world title.
Because statements like what Noah Lyles said bruised a lot of egos. So emotions superceded logic. Boris Cudjoe, who is German-American, understood fully well what Lyles said from the jump. It's simple, if you win a domestic competition, u are a domestic champion. It's not abt if other teams from other places cannot beat u or not
Are you a Stephen A simp? The roof? Because he, a 30 year sports reported couldn't understand the definition of a world champion? You should be pitying him for his ignorance and stupidity.....
man im so glad seeing a grown and responsible person admid mistakes! well done sir! im not so into NBA or ESPN in america but this what people with a lot influence need to do all over the world! making mistakes is the most human thing ever and how we react to our failures shows who we really are! greetings from germany
Noah Lyles was right. As a former track & field sprinter from back in the day that couldn’t hold a candle to Sha’Carri or Noah’s abilities but I was good. This is about the most physically demanding sport there is. Track is a sport where only the best get to participate. These athletes are running like some damn race horses and this ain’t easy. There’s no bench warmers in track, either you got it or you don’t. The fact that Noah Lyles accomplished this on a world class level is saying a lot. Thank you Stephen A. for being man enough to apologize.
Thanks for saying this. I was also into track too so I totally agree with your point. It’s the most physically demanding and you either have it or you don’t. Track star champions deserve way more accolades to be fair.
NO he wasnt right, The nba is the Worlds league based in America. The best play in it. The best want to play in it. Soccer has a proper world tournament which vastly better then its other leagues. There is a reason we follow World cups champs and dont pay nearly as much attention to league champs. I think world champions is fine for the NBA as its league is the best in the world and were the world watches.
It is not. Noah or most other track and field athletes don’t have 1/4 of the athletic abilities of the average NBA player. And as a wrestler/BJJ practitioner you are out of your mind if you think that is the most physically demanding sport 😂 go hop on the mat sometime and trust me… you’ll be humbled like everyone else
@@jonahblack5942 I respectfully disagree. Maybe we each need to swap places. Have you ever heard of people practicing so much doing running challenges, wind sprints, weight training, weightlifting, running up and down hills, stadium stairs, being ran ragged in all kinds of weather extremes, etc. And unfortunately some have died due to the stress on their body. There’s a lot that goes into track. Why don’t you come on the track and see what it feels like. Yes we track people know all about lactic acid and feeling like your heart is about to explode. Both are demanding sports but I congratulate Noah on his accomplishment because I personally know how difficult this is.
I think Serbia and especially Germany just proved Noahs claim. Bunch of Euroleague players(not even the top ones) just beat bunch of nba players. So, if you dont have direct matches between NBA and other leagues, this is the best what we get to compare them. And NBA, you failed the test. Edit: Respect for Stephen for publicly admitting that he was wrong when he realised that instead of going with the first statement knowing its not correct.
@Lothien32 Germany won by TWO POINTS LOL Chill out guy. Also, look at the roster. You had maybe 3 starters, and the rest were bench players. Germany WOULD NOT BEAT the actual NBA CHAMPS. There is no country in Fiba European league could beat the NBA CHAMPS OF ANY YEAR.
@Lothien32 another thing yal IGNORANT people fail to realize. All the other teams other than THE U.S.A. play year around together. They know plays and how to play with one another. Team USA is ALWAYS put together w a bunch of randomly guys 3 months before the Fiba or Olympic games. Lol so basically the USA is always playing PLAYGROUND pick up games when the rest of the world is PREPARING FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT GAMES OF THERE LIVES YEAR AROUND. 🤷🏻♂️ Shouldn't they be killing the U.S.A?
@@jetblack4206 You might inquire about other national teams that could challenge the USA, but it's important to note that the USA didn't win the 2004 Olympics and isn't the current FIBA champion. While the USA has a strong team, they still need to compete. Their participation in the current FIBA competition reflects the significance of sporting merit. Similarly, the KD Warriors were dominant, but they had to play to earn their title. That's the essence of how sports operate.
Technically he’s right but at the same time the nba is soooo far ahead of any other league. It’s not a world championship so I get they can’t necessarily be called world champs but whoever wins the nba finals is the best team in the world
Because statements like what Noah Lyles said bruised a lot of egos. So emotions superceded logic. Boris Cudjoe, who is German-American, understood fully well what Lyles said from the jump. It's simple, if you win a domestic competition, u are a domestic champion. It's not abt if other teams from other places cannot beat u or not
they would never, those guys are ignorant narcissists, they crown themselves( such as lebrun, does it on the regular basis), they believe they are better/important than other athletes! especially lebrun james, that guy is rediculously narcissistic and hypocrite!
I don’t understand how he can do all this apologizing for a person he probably just heard of but refuses to acknowledge he was wrong about Lonzo struggling to stand up from a chair. Just weird.
Big ups Stephen A. I will also like to point out that it takes away from the effort of the Spanish team who is currently the basketball World champion. Both things can be true NBA is by far the best league in the world and its still a domestic competition with the best basketball expats in it. This is also the reason why even though the US has the strongest military in the world, a conflict between states will always be called a civil war not a world war.
@@anthonymahomeboy1277 they might very well be in the next few weeks, but it doesnt change the fact that world championships are fought for by nations not private leagues at least in basketball
@@flexorcist30 my thing is what makes a world champ? The fact that u are competing in a world comp or the fact that u beat the best talent in the world. The nba is comprised of the best talent in the world. So imo I think the nba players can confidently say they are the best in the world and Noah can confidently say it’s not a world champ. Both sides have a fair argument to me
@@anthonymahomeboy1277 not really because there is an officially recognized world competition for basketball. And even if the USA team wins, the Denver Nuggets cant be considered world champs because the world champ is USA comprised by American NBA players from different teams. Also the current Nba champ, was led by 2 expats.
One factor people are forgetting about is the rules. If a foreign team plays with NBA rules and the permission the league allows, they will have a bad time, BUT if they play with FIBA rules I honestly think that things could dramatically change. NBA has almost no rules anymore.
Now that’s the spirit Stephen A! 😊✨ That’s one thing we love and admire about you. When you know you’re wrong or made a mistake, you own up to it and apologize. You’re an example more people ought to follow. Embrace our mistakes, shortcomings or being wrong. Lean into them, be grateful for them and learn from them. Big up Noah Nyles for his courage in calling a spade a spade!! We love the NBA but it’s a domestic league. Surely it’s the best or so we believe as there’s no tournament established to complete. Perhaps only the Olympics. When the USA Team wins the gold medal, that team is the World Champion. 🏆🏅
Because Noah lyles is a narcissist and his argument is shallow and technical. Think about why he would even bring that shit up when the spotlight is on him.😂😂 out of all things the word World on a nba trophy is bothering him😂😂😂
There is no end to learning. Learning sometimes is about checking egos at the door. Stephen just learned something new. Noah is right and many people like Boris knew this. 🎉
Because statements like what Noah Lyles said bruised a lot of egos. So emotions superceded logic. Boris Cudjoe, who is German-American, understood fully well what Lyles said from the jump. It's simple, if you win a domestic competition, u are a domestic champion. It's not abt if other teams from other places cannot beat u or not
@@anthonymahomeboy1277No, that "basically' dont make them WORLD champions. Real Madrid football club is basically the most successful football club in the world but they don't have that World Champion title when they win their domestic league or win the UEFA Champions League. They are only acclaimed as World Champions when they play other top clubs from all the different continents in a FIFA World club competition and win.
I'm one of the guys who called you out on the comment section of First Take and I think it is absolutely incorrect to call the NBA champions World Champions. I applaud you for doing this, it's big of someone to actually admit they're wrong, especially on social media, or any media in general. That being said, I'll actually give your point a Plus by being so bold as to correct one thing Boris Kodjoe said. It is actually still possible for a club or a sports team to become World Champions, and that's by taking the best clubs in each country/region/continent and hosting a tournament between said teams to decide who becomes the World Champion. I will even build on that and say this, if such a tournament were to be organized, I (and pretty much almost the entire world too) will readily admit that the NBA champions are heavy heavy favorites to win it and be considered World Champions. It's just that such a competition/tournament doesn't exist yet, and hence the NBA champions remain exactly that, champions of the NATIONAL Basketball Association
That would be nice. Instead of tournaments like Olympics and FIBA, have a tournament of the actual teams from those countries leagues compete in a tournament during the summer. The teams that won the championships in their leagues would advance to a World Championship tournament for that year.
"That being said, I'll actually give your point a Plus by being so bold as to correct one thing Boris Kodjoe said. It is actually still possible for a club or a sports team to become World Champions, and that's by taking the best clubs in each country/region/continent and hosting a tournament between said teams to decide who becomes the World Champion. I will even build on that and say this, if such a tournament were to be organized, I (and pretty much almost the entire world too) will readily admit that the NBA champions are heavy heavy favorites to win it and be considered World Champions." i mean that's the correct way of doing a labelling of "world champions" to a winner of something. that's exactly what we've been saying this entire time only these idiots don't want to recognize this is the standard that the rest of the world uses and they're butthurt that they're wrong in saying they're 'world champions' winning a domestic league.
@@cedriclloyd5571 It doesn't even have to replace the National Team tournaments, it happens in football/soccer too, the FIFA World Cup is competed by the international teams, while the FIFA Club World Cup happens every year between the winners of each Continental Champion, granted in soccer because of the insane amount of trophies a team can focus on, it tends to get thrown to the side a bit, but in Basketball, it could be a perfect tournament to hold between leagues.
there isnt a better world league or world tournament. until there is one were the world watches that tournament or league more then the nba then and only then can that team can claim to be world champs. Until there is a proper World Tourny for Ball that has the best competition then yes the nba champs are world champs.
@@Waywardbiscuit no stfu. don't start making rules. until the the basketball involves countries vs countries, the winner of that ain't world champions. what country did the denver nuggets fight? los angeles? miami?
I can't for the life of me believe SAS didn't comprehend what Lyles was saying, utterly unbelievable! The tone of Lyles might have not been the best but he was right. Anyway, big ups for the apology SAS.
I heard your comments the other day and completely disagreed with you but well done for making this video and understanding what Noah lyles was saying. I am from England and watching the young man in the world athletics championships was absolutely brilliant he is a breath of fresh air and you should get behind him
Noah Styles doesnt watch NBA. The champion trophy doesnt say "World Champion." It says NBA champion. He just wanted to start an argument. Stephen A Smith apologized becaused its politically incorrect for him to argue with someone from another country
Noah lyles is from the same country as Stephen A Smith Vanessa the usa . The NBA champions have always called themselves world champions which is wrong because it's a domestic sport I guess you didn't listen to boris's point
Kudos for your maturity and integrity shown here. This is the right attitude to have when you realize your previous perspective was wrong. It builds bridges, clears up misunderstandings, and enables a more nuanced approach necessary in nearly every issue in society. This is a breath of fresh air compared to the cognitive dissonance and bad-faith arguments often present today, and it's what's necessary to heal many different wounds of society.
Way to go Stephen A.! Here's another thought to consider: if there were an international league, which implies parity, for one, there's no way half of these -foreign- NBA stars would be so disproportionately contracted to US teams .
He used the same analogy I used when I saw Steven first post hitting our at Noah. I even went further using the Eueafa Champions League, which has more players from different countries and is a continental competition. The argument was very silly. it's a shame it took so long for some to realize this.
Big props to the modern day Howard Cosell, Stephen A. Smith. That's why you're the man leading the pact in the sports world. I have a newfound respect for what you just did in apologizing to Noah LYLES.
That was really greatness of yours, apologizing to your audience and to Noah Lyles! In my opinion, big thanks to your friends who really described the situation as it actually is without dishonering the great succes and sportmanship of the NBA. The NBA is and will never be the world and as you see in this world cup competition right now, the players all over the world are competing on almost the same level, no matter if they play their regular season in europe or in the nba etc. Even though you would consider the nba as the strongest basketball competition worldwide, it is not a world competition. I still respect the fact that at the moment the NBA might be the strongest competition worldwide. Thanks to Noah Lyles for starting this conversation.
Thanks now that this is cleared i wish Americans can now understand that AFRICA is not a country but a continent with 54 independent countries unlike USA which is United and regarded as one country so they should stop call Africa a country.
This is funny. It seems as if the only time Stephen A admits to being wrong or swallows his pride is when he gets a text from a celebrity friend. I'm not sure if he's truly being apologetic or if he's just name dropping. Ha
Lol man I was saying the same thing. My man had to let the world know his celebrity friends and how awesome they are…..it is just common sense that Noah Lyles was correct….you can argue he said it in a smug condescending way but always listen to the message not the messenger. Stephen brags about his journalistic training but made a basic cardinal mistake for the sake of grandstanding for entertainment and ratings….
@@oval291 don't even think it was really smug, it was just the truth. when you call something out as stupid people usually do it like that to make it hit just how stupid it really is. for me i do it like that because i think it's the most effective. "the world champions of what?.... the united states?" is what he said right? it was just dead on.
Yup! Until they go to participate and win, they are not the champions until they prove it. But you missed the point, it is the NBA champions that claim to be the world champions, therefore it should be that NBA champion team that should go to this FIBA world cup and win it to be called world champions. This year, it is the the Denver Nuggets claiming to be the world champions, therefore they should prove this by representing the US in the FIBA and them win it to be called world champions. you see the logic?
Stephen A Smith. i have to become a new subscriber. the fact that you were humble enough to apologize compelled me to become a new subscriber. you know what; you’re setting a great example to the younger generation.
Noah Lyles just said what people have talked about for years. How are you World Champions when you play an American sport? Why does baseball have a World Series when in reality its just 2 teams from America playing against each other. That is not the world. The world is not America.
NBA athletes are the most egotistical athletes in all pro sports I swear. Litterally paid dozens of millions of dollars a year and it is still not enough for them, they have to be called NBA World champions playing in a league that gets clowned by international players like Jokic and Doncic, who learned their trade in European leagues. It would serve the USA well to get bounced out of the basketball Olympic gold medal next year, some of those players need to eat a slice of humble pie after what they said about Noah Lyles yesterday.
@@d.michael372 nah. it's the nba. the diva behavior in the nba is unmatched. don't they always say 'the players run the league' there? you refuse to play, you get what you want.
@@xaevius5319 NFL guys egos get super inflated when their always the ones in some altercation with someone at a club. They walk around like untouchables, especially the WRs
Doncic????? Sounds like you're grabbing all the white names you can muster. Doncic hasn't even been to an NBA finals. Why didn't you use Giannis? After all, he's won a title and BEFORE Jokic at that!! Is he (Giannis) too black a European for you?
@@dlmarh76 Giannis is not the best example to use here because he plays more like the typical AAU player relying on his athletic abilities rather than basketball fundamentals that are taught in pro european leagues. Giannis is not really a good playmaker, dribbler or shooter when compared to Doncic or Jokic. He doesn't make his team mates better so even though he looks fantastic on his own and gets his points and rebounds, it doesn't translate to wins when it matters the most against better teams. For all the success the Bucks get in the regular season, they keep disappointing in the playoffs. The roster as a whole is just not good enough to compete in a best-of-seven series, it is hard to attract top free agents in Milwaukee after all, there is only so much Giannis can do on his own. Same case with Doncic as well, though the Mavs don't really have the excuse they can't attract free agents to Dallas, they are just poorly constructed year after year.
Noah Lyles was just the one person that had the balls to say something that people been wanting to say for years
Why did it hurt him so much lol unnecessary smoke and drama
the rest of the world BEEN saying it, it's only now making headlines cuz an american said.
Give me a team that can beat the NBA champion and I’ll call him right. Never will be one.
@@xaviercopeland2789 yeah well that's not the point dingus 😂
@@marcusx3605thank you
The fact that this had to be so thoroughly explained is mind-boggling to me.
How come these grown folks don't know the difference between a National competition and a World competition is crazy as hell. They have allowed Pride and Arrogance to cloud their ignorance🙆♂️🤦♂️🤷♂️
Same here. It's like we're dealing with children.
Americans for you
@@NkMattson thats rich. I guess none americans have a issue with critical thinking. The nba is the best bball league in the world. The best play in it, the best quality basketball is played in it and it is what the world watches. Thus the nba champs are world champs. Until there is a league or tournament that has better players, better competition, better quality basketball that the entire world watches more then the nba finals. Then you can call that team the world champs. Until then the NBA champs are the world champs
@@Waywardbiscuit I think your argument misses the point of the discussion. the competition itself is called the National Basketball League and as such is not an international competition. while for marketing we take advantage of the different nationalities represented, but that doesn't take away from the fact its a National (American league). I hope when the world cup comes to the US or maybe the Olympics the difference will be clearer.
Man! Noah Lyles deserves a ton of credit. He said nothing but the truth. That needs to be said more often. The same thing when we call ourselves “America” that makes absolutely no sense. It is a habit or part of our culture that must be stopped. People do not realize how dumb that sounds to people outside of the US.
Let me know when KD, Steph, Lebron, AD, Booker, Tatum, Kawhi and a few others are there. That was the C team. This clown's 15 minutes will be up soon. Created a bunch of American people that will enjoy his loss
Exactly bro
You nail it man. People like me who aren't from the US but were born in a different country in the American continent often feel annoyed by the ignorance and arrogance of this fact.
Respect bro!
@@MrEJF02Your comment sounds as ignorant as the NBAs backlash at Noah. You do know that this isn’t a new criticism.
I’m not sure why it’s so hard to understand that when a US Team wins a national title it’s not a world title. Same thing goes to the MLBs “World Series”.
This has nothing to do with the NBA or MLB being the most gifted league in the world (my opinion but relative based on opinion). They just aren’t competing on a world stage.
@@anthonyhuery6460 well said, I do not get why people try to change the narrative. This is not about who is better. This is about the ignorance or arrogance we show to the world when our sport leagues use the term “World Champions.”
They knew he was right all along. He just hurt many egos affiliated with the NBA with how blunt his comment was.
Facts. People got their feelings hurt.
Why would they get their feeling hurt when they can easily beat any country in basketball.
@@hehel5163because they hate getting called out on their ignorance… which is wild coz they went to college
@@altair3058 what’s ignorant about having a different perspective on world champ?
@@hehel5163 it’s not a perspective one is fiction the other is fact
I also think it speaks volumes Noah Lyles won 3 gold medals at the World Championships but got no coverage until he made a comment NBA players didn't' like. Then was only covered because of his comments and not his accomplishments.
preach. noah in the prime of one the best track careers in history and only gets spoken about in main sports media when people are butthurt that he soft trash talked the nba smh.
Exactly! That was the point of his comments. Track and field is seriously under appreciated yet these are athletes who are going to great lengths to represent their respective countries on an INTERNATIONAL world stage! They deserve more honor in my humble opinion.
Because far less people care about track and field…
@@AlexHendershot far less people in the states
Maybe that's the real point Noah was trying to make🤔
Facts. As an American, I have always said, how could any American sports league in America call themselves World Champions when they didn't compete against the world? That is absurd. The basketball gold medal in the Olympics won by the US, can justifiably qualify them to be called world champions. And they are. They played against the wold not against the United States. Noah Lyles should be applauded and congratulated for saying what so many people have been thinking for years. The arrogance in some of some of American sports leagues is astounding.
Um, although you did understand the problem, looks like you still did not understand it completely.
An Olympic title is also NOT a world championship title.
In a national championship (such as the NBA or the Premier League) it is about the national title, but not about a world title.
Whoever wins the Champions League is a Champions League winner, not a world champion.
Italy won the last European Soccer Championship against other national teams from all over Europe. They are now European champions, NOT world champions, because it has been a EUROPEAN Championship.
In basketball in the last Olympic Games, the USA actually won. So the USA is the reigning Olympic champion. But not world champion. Why? Because Spain won the last world championship. So the world champion at that time was... surprise ... Spain! And the Olympic title - although it is to be valued just as highly - has absolutely nothing to do with a world champion title.
The world championship title is ONLY awarded at a world championship, held by the official world association of the respective sport.
Just like the one that ended today with Germany as the new world champions.
Your epistle did not convince me what Noah Lyles said was incorrect. Olympic champions are the true world champions. The world sent their best to compete. No amateur or mediocre representation. Plain and simple. Let’s not over complicate this FACT.
@@136760mas1 Actually for the longest time only amateurs were even allowed to start at Olympic Games. May be Noah wanted to say that it´s even harder to become Olympic Champion and I would agree. In many sports (besides may be Soccer) the Olympic title is seen one step above the world title. So being Olympic Champion is not a downgrade form world champion. Quiet the opposite. But still. It´s no world championship. That´s a simple fact.
Jesus!!!! AMÉRICA IS A CONTINENT , people !…. “As an American “ is wrong right there!!!!!
As U.S citizen …..Canadians ,Mexicans,Uruguay, Argentina,Brazil,United States, Jamaica,Bahamas,and many others are LOCATED IN A CONTINENT CALL AMERICA!!! and this CONTINENT is divided in 3parts (North,Central and south)…. Is like a Chinese people say I’m Asia referring to China!!! NOooo!!! Or Irish saying “I’m Europe “ referring to Ireland.
Just because Unite States Of America has the world of (america)….u can not refere your self to U.S!!!!!
Definition of continent :
A large divided territorial between countries of the SAME area!!!!!
@136760ma1 LOL. If winners of the basketball event at the Olympics are world Champions, what do you call winners of the FIBA World Cup? You win the Olympics you're the Olympics Champions. You win the FIBA World Cup, you're a World Cup winner or in other words, World Champions. What is better between those two competitions is entirely a different debate.
Noah said what we all have been thinking about for years out loud 😂.
For decades!!! The world being saying it. USA is not the world, and I'm from USA.
Notice how only American players had a problem with it? Not one international player had a problem with it coz they agreed with him (like the rest of the world).
@@kingjulien9525in late 80s and 90s NBA champs could also be world champs. Recall it used to be that after you won the NBA title you then played in the McDonalds World Championship against top teams from around the world. Hence MJs world champion 1997 Bulls team.
Edit: but they discontinued the McDonalds World Club Tournament in 2000.
@@meg-k-waldren I'm old enough to remember those days. Those were more exhibition games to promote the nba overseas, not as legitimate as the Olympic games for instance.
The Dream Team 1992 is world champion, the Chicago Bulls 1992 is NOT world champion.
Lol right! Since childhood for me-the wording “World Champions” was always confusing.
Respect to this man. It’s takes a real man to admit when he’s wrong.
He didn't admit he was wrong about Lonzo tho.
He should have done it on espn not in his podcast….people for sure went after him which is why he’s back tracking
@@the-unknown1016word
He's paid to dumb down "his people" Lyles dared use critical thinking...it's about his credibility since even his people didn't eat up his nonsense...a gatekeeper...
Yes big respect to Stephen A. Unlike Perkins who is outright a racist fool. Kudos Stephen A 👌🏼
The grace and humility in this apology makes my heart smile. Subscribed!
Wipe your mouth boy
I subscribed too. I hope Stephen A means it and is not tricking viewers to gain more subscribers
Will as many people see it here? Serious question.
grace, humility and stephen smith, two words you will hardly see in the same sentence as stephen smith except for this video.
@@sabrevni9866 🎁 It is a gift!
Been trying to explain this to a lot of Americans even with credible sources - so far with very little results. Nice to see someone finally get it, respect!
you have no credible sources. There is no other basketball league with the best players, the quality ball and that the world watches. Until there is a league that beats the nba at all those things then the nba champs are the world champs
@@Waywardbiscuit yea u actually make sense deres nothing dis guy can explain dat dispute dat
@@Waywardbiscuit dude...your intelligence is very limited...
@@Waywardbiscuit the soccer example is right there ya silly goose. premiere league is the best league and the best players all over the world flock to play in it like basketball players do with the nba. do premiere league champs call themselves world champs? it's just silly lol.
It’s the same thing with UFC and Bellator, can the top Bellator fighter beat a UFC fighter, sure he can but can the top Bellator fighter beat the top UFC fighter, absolutely not and we seen it multiple times. We also seen UFC fighters go down to Bellator at the end of their careers and dominate in Bellator. UFC fighters call them the best in the world because there’s not another league that can compete with the UFC, and that’s the same with the NBA. There’s not a single league that can compete with the top 5 NBA teams if not the top 10 teams.
It takes a real man to admit their mistakes, and I respect you even more for this Stephen. More love , longer life
Sad definely a real man for admitting he was wrong,we need more like him in this tragic and broken society
It takes a real man to think before he speaks. using emotion as his angle to downplay facts is as feminine as can be, he still a bih niqqa
he has a whole lot more times when he don't admit when he's wrong and he's wrong about a lot of things.if more folks did there own research and stop taking his word as gospel they would know that an average grade school kid can figure that out but there are too mant grown folks not knowing crap and telling people anything that comes from their mouths.its sick and pathetic that people don't know what world championship means.
Oh please. It just takes a brain, eyes and ears. Why apologize for being dumb? It just means you're dumb. Nothing more.
I’m American and I have never understood that. Thank you Noah for saying it out loud. Thank you Sir for apologizing!💜 #noahlyles
Boris got it correct. Big ups for Stephen A. Being able to admit when he is wrong!
Go watch the last moments of the NBA finals and look n listen for the word "world champions" or Champions of the world" the NBA does not sell any merch that says "world champions" or "champions of the world" Steven A take might not had nothing to do with it but it was still an ignorant take by Noah Lyles bcuz the US is playing in the FIBA world cup n the Olympics so we know the difference so its straight ignorant Steven A is not 100% knowledgeable about this
He really didnt admit he was wrong...he admitted he was wrong for calling him ignorant...but he just cant admit that his perspective is just wrong...the Denver Nuggets are not world champs...they are NBA champs...the champs of a league...they didnt beat the world...they may have beaten teams composed of players from around the world but they didnt beat world teams...SAS...you got it wrong bro!!
Like the other guy just said go and look at the Merch they gave the Nuggets and the signs. All say NBA champion and not world. Noah is saying what some of the NBA players say they are World Champions. The NBA doesn’t market any team with being a World Champion. This is Semantics and Noah was just feeling himself and the way he expressed it showed he is not humble. No one from the NBA attacked him and went after them. He will not be getting to many popular connections with his shenanigans. He should stayed in his lane because it’s a mute point.
He ain’t apologize to Lonzo
😏🙄 *You don't find it quite disturbing that those sitting around that ESPN table 'agreed' with Stephen A. Smith's total disdain for Noah Lyles and his comment, his opinion? That doesn't bother you or give you pause?* 🤔
Noah Lyles is not right because your friend is right, Lyles was right because he was right! Has nothing to do with your friend!
Noah Lyles was wrong and so was SAS' friend.
@@8dollars276bro it just depends how literal you take the statement honestly. Literally, ofc its not a world champion, but only once u give the outer thinking that it is the best team of the best league winning the NBA championship, that's why we just in honour up it to "world champion status" cuz essentially no other team can mess with an NBA championship team. Literally Lyles is right, but NBA just being hella emotional rn and taking it out of the literal context to which lyles was probably intending to.
@@bigdripbobz1072nope
@@bigdripbobz1072There is no depends he is right end of. Can't be awarding titles just because you "think" a team is the best. They must go and win to prove it. Otherwise why do we even have competition?
@@bigdripbobz1072 shit, then i already got accepted into harvard just because i can most do definitely do it. even though i haven't done anything.
Crazy thing that Germany beat Usa today.😅
I still can't believe this was up for debate. It's the most common of common sense. NBA is a clash of cities, world championship sports is a clash of NATIONS!! Like seriously, this is almost laughable.
Exactly I’m confused y folks was mad 😂
Americans are not to smart . Noah lyles might be the smartest American
wrong ...NBA is a clash of billionaire owners...those teams ain't loyal to no city lol....its all about billionaire egos and braggig rights... in the presentation you see who raises the trophy first ?
Y’all corny don’t watch then y’all be having so much hate in y’all heart it’s not about the name who gives af the players were mad cause they felt disrespected cause they know their the best in the world. That dude better win gold
@@lonnie008that's all sports, they are owned by billionaires but they still represent a certain city. Manchester is a city, Barcelona.. ect
Man, my respect for you has risen to another level my dear Big Brother Steven A. Thank You Sir! Sincerely! Thank You! I felt very sad about your initial statement and couldn’t believe you thought Lyles was wrong. I’m happy now Sir!
Bless up Stephen A
You showed yourself to be a real man to correct and apologize to Noah Lyles for the statements you made on First Take
Same here.
I thought his ego won't allow him to admit he was wrong.
Well I'm glad I was wrong.
My respect for him went way up after this apology
Because statements like what Noah Lyles said bruised a lot of egos. So emotions superceded logic.
Boris Cudjoe, who is German-American, understood fully well what Lyles said from the jump.
It's simple, if you win a domestic competition, u are a domestic champion. It's not abt if other teams from other places cannot beat u or not
I’m confused as to how it’s only correct because they took it literally. What other way is there to take it. Noah was obviously correctly, literally and how ever else you want to take it
International players are not representing their country. They are representing a team in an American league. When an international player wins a championship his country doesn’t get a thropy,the American team gets the trophy , so even the argument that only because the NBA has international players should be world champions is invalid
👏👏👏👏👏
It's the World Championship of the NBA.
Right? I have know this since I was 6 years old!
They do have they argument of being the best team in the world so they could go by that definition of world champions
It has to be an American thing, it’s definitely not hard to understand the concept
I am glad you had the courage to apologize Stephen A. I am not sure how you didn't see this from the beginning when the entire world saw it. We aren't going to disrespect anybody but we throw out all sorts of accolades to some of these athletes who aren't deserving. There are certain things money can't buy and class is one of them. I think we need to step back and think before we respond. Stop using the word ignorant to the wide audience that you Garner. It's degrading.
It was very simple! How can a domestic league champion be a world champion? Doesn’t make any sense!!
While I agree with your main point, I dislike this class thing constantly being thrown around in sports. It’s very subjective depending on your environment and upbringing not to mention, in this scenario, though Noah Lyles was correct, could he not have shown more class and respect for his fellow American athletes? His tone was very condescending, and he could’ve used his moment of attention to educate people without sounding so pompous about it. Or is it ok to have that tone because people find it popular to dislike the “spoiled” nba players now?
@@kdubb6his talk was response of the arrogance and ignorance of the nba players
These clowns are singing a different tune just because it came out that Greg Popovich said the same thing
Took a step back a thought about it before saying anything. Now here it comes though. Feels to me like the entire controversy originated when Lyles, intentionally or unintentionally, threw shade at fellow athletes. Athleates who have put in an incredible amount of work, just like him, to be at the top of their sport. And make no mistake - If you're playing in the NBA, regardless of which country you are from, you are at the peak of basketball. Are you a "world champion" if you win the NBA title? Technically, no, but this is semantics. Winning the olympic gold in basketball or the actual world championship ironiclly isn't the top acheivment in the sport of basketball. It just isn't. But Lyles comes from a sport where that is the case. Where you are the best by winning the world title. Are some NBA guys clapping back cause of ego? Probably a few I'd imagine, but how would you like it if, again. you busted your butt and sacraficed a lot to reach such heights and then some dude on his victory lap and high horse says you ain't all that good till you have the arbitrary title of "world champion."
Yes sir, very honourable of you to show humility. Continue the great works! Blessings to you and your family ❤
Believe me he doesn't mean it the only reason why he's doing it because people came at him with receipts and he wants to stay in favor the ship is going down
I’m glad you cleared this up man. It takes a strong man to admit he was wrong. 👏🏾👏🏾
That's what he gets for calling people ignorant. The problem is that Americans are just plain ignorant, and everything is about them.
Nah, he admitted because he wanted to avoid the heat that he was getting from his ignorant outburst.
Only a smart man can apologize. Great job sir ! My respect for you has grown after this . This was a big educational moment for number of Americans .
No it isn’t, we don’t agree with Stephen a.
There is more than Noah he need to apologize to!
@@Tha2ruthabsolutely .. starting with Manchester CITY !!!
A smart man should have used logic to examine Noah's statement first instead of using emotions.
@@bernardjameswilson 💥 *EXACTLY! Stephen A. just did what Stephen A. ALWAYS DO - run his mouth, loud and proud, but is oftentimes void of facts. Period.*
I have to say I'm impressed with Noah, he went against the grain and I respect that, he stood his ground and I respect that even more...
Lyles just spitting FACTS
No he’s not.
@@jaredm5625tell me where he was wrong. NBA teams competing against each and not world teams = World champs?
@@jaredm5625explain please
@@Squadplayanominally, you’re correct, but in practice there’s no league that competes with the nba and there’s no one country eight he amount of talent in the US. Its not like soccer. So the nba are the de facto world champs
@@kefkapalazzo1 that stills doesn't explain being a world champ. I understand there aren't other leagues that directly competes with the NBA but that's the whole point of what the guy was saying. We don't have to think too deep. Everyone is thinking oh we have the best players so the champs are world champs. The main point is it's not a world competition even tho foreign players play in the NBA
Love Stephen A for being humble. Admitting, accepting and apologizing is called learning.
Nah this apology should have been on first take not on a podcast most won't even see
@@dakotasikes6690true
Noah touched a lot of souls with this one😂!
It’s actually so shameful that some people think that this issue should be debated! It’s unfortunate that it had to take Noah Lyles saying what he said for some people to see reasons.
LEt me know when KD, Steph, Lebron, AD, Booker, Tatum, Kawhi and a few others are there.
You cannot apologize and hold on to your point. Respect anyhow!!!
@@creedd5547 You literally missed the whole point of why it's incorrect. What you say is exactly what SAS just explained in this video from his friend why you're wrong.
@@creedd5547 you’re literally brainless at this point and missed the whole point. Just as slow as Mr. Smith here; acknowledging he’s wrong but still holding on to his point while you miss it entirely. 💀💀 crazy stuff.
Yeah like u don’t change your mind everyday we humans not bots
@@creedd5547exactly .. we all know that Noah Is taking about competition.... why would he be speaking literal there's just no point he just talking for no reason.... he just doesn't understand that the NBA has every best player from each country in their league...... I mean they're right but their points are worth nothing competitively because its actually better to win a NBA championship than a world championship for Basketball
@@Ste__althstill doesn’t make you a world champion. That’s the whooooole point
Glad you were able to admit your mistake. A true characteristic of a Great Man!
I can’t believe it’s took you & a lot of NBA players this long to understand Noah’s point. It’s literally basic logic & everyone outside of America got what Noah was saying and agreed
Exactly!!!! For a man that covered rhe sport for 27 years he should of known this. But he got emotional and ran his mouth and was wrong as hell😂
You didn’t think before you spoke. There’s feelings and there’s truth. He spoke truth. You spoke feelings.
Noah Lyles said what the entire world thinks.
I literally said these same things on my Facebook to my friends and a lot of them trashed me for it because they are big NBA fans. The first word in the NBA is National that alone kills the argument of it being a world title.
Because statements like what Noah Lyles said bruised a lot of egos. So emotions superceded logic.
Boris Cudjoe, who is German-American, understood fully well what Lyles said from the jump.
It's simple, if you win a domestic competition, u are a domestic champion. It's not abt if other teams from other places cannot beat u or not
Underrated comment.
LEt me know when KD, Steph, Lebron, AD, Booker, Tatum, Kawhi and a few others are there.
I barely watch sports but my respect for Stephen A Smith just shot through the roof! Sub earned!
❤❤❤
Are you a Stephen A simp? The roof? Because he, a 30 year sports reported couldn't understand the definition of a world champion? You should be pitying him for his ignorance and stupidity.....
Lmao😂😂😂
man im so glad seeing a grown and responsible person admid mistakes! well done sir! im not so into NBA or ESPN in america but this what people with a lot influence need to do all over the world! making mistakes is the most human thing ever and how we react to our failures shows who we really are! greetings from germany
Noah Lyles was right. As a former track & field sprinter from back in the day that couldn’t hold a candle to Sha’Carri or Noah’s abilities but I was good. This is about the most physically demanding sport there is. Track is a sport where only the best get to participate. These athletes are running like some damn race horses and this ain’t easy. There’s no bench warmers in track, either you got it or you don’t. The fact that Noah Lyles accomplished this on a world class level is saying a lot. Thank you Stephen A. for being man enough to apologize.
Thanks for saying this. I was also into track too so I totally agree with your point. It’s the most physically demanding and you either have it or you don’t. Track star champions deserve way more accolades to be fair.
The ability to maintain being fast is the toughest aspect of the sport. From food to work outs to injuries to mental state.
NO he wasnt right, The nba is the Worlds league based in America. The best play in it. The best want to play in it. Soccer has a proper world tournament which vastly better then its other leagues. There is a reason we follow World cups champs and dont pay nearly as much attention to league champs. I think world champions is fine for the NBA as its league is the best in the world and were the world watches.
It is not. Noah or most other track and field athletes don’t have 1/4 of the athletic abilities of the average NBA player. And as a wrestler/BJJ practitioner you are out of your mind if you think that is the most physically demanding sport 😂 go hop on the mat sometime and trust me… you’ll be humbled like everyone else
@@jonahblack5942 I respectfully disagree. Maybe we each need to swap places. Have you ever heard of people practicing so much doing running challenges, wind sprints, weight training, weightlifting, running up and down hills, stadium stairs, being ran ragged in all kinds of weather extremes, etc. And unfortunately some have died due to the stress on their body. There’s a lot that goes into track. Why don’t you come on the track and see what it feels like. Yes we track people know all about lactic acid and feeling like your heart is about to explode. Both are demanding sports but I congratulate Noah on his accomplishment because I personally know how difficult this is.
Good stuff. Happy you addressed it and admit to being wrong. Hope the other NBA players see this now and admit same
Thanks for rethinking everything, seeing it from a different point of view and sharing this opinon! That was an act of class 🙌🏼
Meaning someone said stop being emotional. And think
Takes a big man to apologize when he gets one wrong. Respect.
People may not have liked the delivery, but it still doesn't make his words irrelevant. Thank youSAS!!!
Technically Noah is right but realistically the nba is so far ahead of any other league that they basically are the world champs
I think Serbia and especially Germany just proved Noahs claim. Bunch of Euroleague players(not even the top ones) just beat bunch of nba players. So, if you dont have direct matches between NBA and other leagues, this is the best what we get to compare them. And NBA, you failed the test.
Edit: Respect for Stephen for publicly admitting that he was wrong when he realised that instead of going with the first statement knowing its not correct.
@Lothien32 Germany won by TWO POINTS LOL Chill out guy. Also, look at the roster. You had maybe 3 starters, and the rest were bench players. Germany WOULD NOT BEAT the actual NBA CHAMPS. There is no country in Fiba European league could beat the NBA CHAMPS OF ANY YEAR.
@Lothien32 another thing yal IGNORANT people fail to realize. All the other teams other than THE U.S.A. play year around together. They know plays and how to play with one another. Team USA is ALWAYS put together w a bunch of randomly guys 3 months before the Fiba or Olympic games. Lol so basically the USA is always playing PLAYGROUND pick up games when the rest of the world is PREPARING FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT GAMES OF THERE LIVES YEAR AROUND. 🤷🏻♂️ Shouldn't they be killing the U.S.A?
This is beautiful. Thank you for apologizing and understanding what Noah was saying.
STEPHEN A and NBA players were the only ones who got it wrong, everyone else was like noah lyles is right
He not tho,what international team can beat an nba team..
@@jetblack4206you still missed the point
Ngl there was alot of Americans trying to debate something so obvious
@@ThingSomeRandom no I comprehend just fine..
@@jetblack4206 You might inquire about other national teams that could challenge the USA, but it's important to note that the USA didn't win the 2004 Olympics and isn't the current FIBA champion. While the USA has a strong team, they still need to compete. Their participation in the current FIBA competition reflects the significance of sporting merit. Similarly, the KD Warriors were dominant, but they had to play to earn their title. That's the essence of how sports operate.
This reminds me of a beer commercial. "I have been all over the world , from NY to LA, but nowhere did I have a better beer than in Millwaukee"
I don’t understand how ppl had a problem with what Noah Lyles said it was common sense
Technically he’s right but at the same time the nba is soooo far ahead of any other league. It’s not a world championship so I get they can’t necessarily be called world champs but whoever wins the nba finals is the best team in the world
Because statements like what Noah Lyles said bruised a lot of egos. So emotions superceded logic.
Boris Cudjoe, who is German-American, understood fully well what Lyles said from the jump.
It's simple, if you win a domestic competition, u are a domestic champion. It's not abt if other teams from other places cannot beat u or not
@@anthonymahomeboy1277 ruclips.net/video/C8nC-eYJUIo/видео.html
common sense ain´t that common
Man...i salute you for doing this...i hope the other NBA players apologize Noah too...
they would never, those guys are ignorant narcissists, they crown themselves( such as lebrun, does it on the regular basis), they believe they are better/important than other athletes!
especially lebrun james, that guy is rediculously narcissistic and hypocrite!
Damn, I've never seen Steven this humble, I keep looking up at the sky waiting for it to fall
I don’t understand how he can do all this apologizing for a person he probably just heard of but refuses to acknowledge he was wrong about Lonzo struggling to stand up from a chair.
Just weird.
Kyrie couldn’t even get this eloquent type of apology but he’s reading texts from MJ and Boris Kodjoe all of a sudden. Smh 🤦🏾♂️
You are weird for thinking he just heard of
Noah. Unless you have been living under a rock then you have heard of him.
@@StandardsFC Points can be argued! 💯
@@leelocke9530 that was not my point at all but go ahead and focus on that if you want to.
Very good Stephen. What you did is a mature gesture that indicates that truth for you is more important than mere emotions. Blessings on you
….mere*
Thank You for being Humble enough to apologize and admit you were wrong and to apologize outwardly.
Oh wow, now that was unexpected. I salute you Stephen A for being able to admit that you was wrong with sincerity and humility. I finally subscribed
Big ups Stephen A. I will also like to point out that it takes away from the effort of the Spanish team who is currently the basketball World champion. Both things can be true NBA is by far the best league in the world and its still a domestic competition with the best basketball expats in it. This is also the reason why even though the US has the strongest military in the world, a conflict between states will always be called a civil war not a world war.
Technically Noah is right but realistically the nba is so far ahead of any other league that they basically are the world champs
@@anthonymahomeboy1277 they might very well be in the next few weeks, but it doesnt change the fact that world championships are fought for by nations not private leagues at least in basketball
@@flexorcist30 my thing is what makes a world champ? The fact that u are competing in a world comp or the fact that u beat the best talent in the world. The nba is comprised of the best talent in the world. So imo I think the nba players can confidently say they are the best in the world and Noah can confidently say it’s not a world champ. Both sides have a fair argument to me
@@anthonymahomeboy1277 not really because there is an officially recognized world competition for basketball. And even if the USA team wins, the Denver Nuggets cant be considered world champs because the world champ is USA comprised by American NBA players from different teams. Also the current Nba champ, was led by 2 expats.
One factor people are forgetting about is the rules. If a foreign team plays with NBA rules and the permission the league allows, they will have a bad time, BUT if they play with FIBA rules I honestly think that things could dramatically change. NBA has almost no rules anymore.
Perrrrfffect breakdown mr Parker (via SAS) he hit every point I’ve raged to my self watching this argument unfold!
Goosebumps! Boris is such a smart guy!
I appreciate your honesty and you admitting makes media not looking so bad
How can this even be a discussion😂😂😂😂
Now imagine politicians apologized when they got it wrong .. well done Stephen for reflecting learning and recognising the truth and then apologies
Now that’s the spirit Stephen A! 😊✨ That’s one thing we love and admire about you. When you know you’re wrong or made a mistake, you own up to it and apologize. You’re an example more people ought to follow. Embrace our mistakes, shortcomings or being wrong. Lean into them, be grateful for them and learn from them. Big up Noah Nyles for his courage in calling a spade a spade!!
We love the NBA but it’s a domestic league. Surely it’s the best or so we believe as there’s no tournament established to complete. Perhaps only the Olympics. When the USA Team wins the gold medal, that team is the World Champion. 🏆🏅
Is this for real? How is this even up for debate? Unbelievable that this elementary piece of knowledge has to be explained.
I'm having the same thoughts. It's like we're talking to a fifth graders. It's just mind-blowing.
I’m confused on why so many folks was mad …the NBA is a American League not world 😂
america moment
Americans are mad egotistic 🤦🏽♂️
Because Noah lyles is a narcissist and his argument is shallow and technical. Think about why he would even bring that shit up when the spotlight is on him.😂😂 out of all things the word World on a nba trophy is bothering him😂😂😂
Yooo this is a video ppl should absolutely learn from .. props on the paradigm shift and emotional intelligence displayed in this video 🙌🏆🙏
Lmao the picture of Boris as he reads the text 😂😂😂 4:06
There is no end to learning. Learning sometimes is about checking egos at the door. Stephen just learned something new. Noah is right and many people like Boris knew this. 🎉
Technically Noah is right but realistically the nba is so far ahead of any other league that they basically are the world champs
@@anthonymahomeboy1277Cringe
Because statements like what Noah Lyles said bruised a lot of egos. So emotions superceded logic.
Boris Cudjoe, who is German-American, understood fully well what Lyles said from the jump.
It's simple, if you win a domestic competition, u are a domestic champion. It's not abt if other teams from other places cannot beat u or not
@@o̸ණ This is true. Even the NBA calls it the NATIONAL Basketball Association
@@anthonymahomeboy1277No, that "basically' dont make them WORLD champions. Real Madrid football club is basically the most successful football club in the world but they don't have that World Champion title when they win their domestic league or win the UEFA Champions League. They are only acclaimed as World Champions when they play other top clubs from all the different continents in a FIFA World club competition and win.
Thank God someone was able to understand this
I appreciate Stephen A. for coming back on his words. It takes a real man to do that! ✌🏾
I'm one of the guys who called you out on the comment section of First Take and I think it is absolutely incorrect to call the NBA champions World Champions.
I applaud you for doing this, it's big of someone to actually admit they're wrong, especially on social media, or any media in general.
That being said, I'll actually give your point a Plus by being so bold as to correct one thing Boris Kodjoe said.
It is actually still possible for a club or a sports team to become World Champions, and that's by taking the best clubs in each country/region/continent and hosting a tournament between said teams to decide who becomes the World Champion.
I will even build on that and say this, if such a tournament were to be organized, I (and pretty much almost the entire world too) will readily admit that the NBA champions are heavy heavy favorites to win it and be considered World Champions.
It's just that such a competition/tournament doesn't exist yet, and hence the NBA champions remain exactly that, champions of the NATIONAL Basketball Association
That would be nice. Instead of tournaments like Olympics and FIBA, have a tournament of the actual teams from those countries leagues compete in a tournament during the summer. The teams that won the championships in their leagues would advance to a World Championship tournament for that year.
"That being said, I'll actually give your point a Plus by being so bold as to correct one thing Boris Kodjoe said.
It is actually still possible for a club or a sports team to become World Champions, and that's by taking the best clubs in each country/region/continent and hosting a tournament between said teams to decide who becomes the World Champion.
I will even build on that and say this, if such a tournament were to be organized, I (and pretty much almost the entire world too) will readily admit that the NBA champions are heavy heavy favorites to win it and be considered World Champions."
i mean that's the correct way of doing a labelling of "world champions" to a winner of something. that's exactly what we've been saying this entire time only these idiots don't want to recognize this is the standard that the rest of the world uses and they're butthurt that they're wrong in saying they're 'world champions' winning a domestic league.
@@cedriclloyd5571 It doesn't even have to replace the National Team tournaments, it happens in football/soccer too, the FIFA World Cup is competed by the international teams, while the FIFA Club World Cup happens every year between the winners of each Continental Champion, granted in soccer because of the insane amount of trophies a team can focus on, it tends to get thrown to the side a bit, but in Basketball, it could be a perfect tournament to hold between leagues.
there isnt a better world league or world tournament. until there is one were the world watches that tournament or league more then the nba then and only then can that team can claim to be world champs. Until there is a proper World Tourny for Ball that has the best competition then yes the nba champs are world champs.
@@Waywardbiscuit no stfu. don't start making rules. until the the basketball involves countries vs countries, the winner of that ain't world champions. what country did the denver nuggets fight? los angeles? miami?
I can't for the life of me believe SAS didn't comprehend what Lyles was saying, utterly unbelievable! The tone of Lyles might have not been the best but he was right. Anyway, big ups for the apology SAS.
Respect! Most people would never admit they were wrong about anything...
That’s the beauty of conversations and discussions - to find the right words that can change someone’s opinion 👍
I heard your comments the other day and completely disagreed with you but well done for making this video and understanding what Noah lyles was saying. I am from England and watching the young man in the world athletics championships was absolutely brilliant he is a breath of fresh air and you should get behind him
Noah Styles doesnt watch NBA. The champion trophy doesnt say "World Champion." It says NBA champion. He just wanted to start an argument.
Stephen A Smith apologized becaused its politically incorrect for him to argue with someone from another country
Noah lyles is from the same country as Stephen A Smith Vanessa the usa . The NBA champions have always called themselves world champions which is wrong because it's a domestic sport I guess you didn't listen to boris's point
Kudos for your maturity and integrity shown here. This is the right attitude to have when you realize your previous perspective was wrong. It builds bridges, clears up misunderstandings, and enables a more nuanced approach necessary in nearly every issue in society. This is a breath of fresh air compared to the cognitive dissonance and bad-faith arguments often present today, and it's what's necessary to heal many different wounds of society.
Finally this was happen. Stephen showing what a gentleman he is.
Respect to Boris for articulating himself so well and getting his point across so clearly.
I can't believe Stephen A Smith had to have this explained to him. I hope he doe this segment on first take and doesn't just bury it on his channel.
He literally says in the video "That's why I apologized on first take and that's why I'm apologizing now".
@@UndertheNeedle282 good
Almost nothing beats a sincere apology
You have all fallen for it. Amazing 😀
Way to go Stephen A.! Here's another thought to consider: if there were an international league, which implies parity, for one, there's no way half of these -foreign- NBA stars would be so disproportionately contracted to US teams .
An international league doesn’t imply parity. It should eventually result in a parity
Total respect to you my brother for apologizing, that's maturity and the mark of a true human being.
He used the same analogy I used when I saw Steven first post hitting our at Noah. I even went further using the Eueafa Champions League, which has more players from different countries and is a continental competition. The argument was very silly. it's a shame it took so long for some to realize this.
Like dude said it’s an old twisted American tradition of call everything American the greatest and best in the world.
Big props to the modern day Howard Cosell, Stephen A. Smith. That's why you're the man leading the pact in the sports world. I have a newfound respect for what you just did in apologizing to Noah LYLES.
Respect to Stephen A for admitting he was wrong and Apologizing
This was PERFECT that Germany beat the USA to again show how arrogant everyone is/was of saying Nole Lyles was wrong with his comments
Way to be a man Stephen A! Big ups brother! I agreed with Noah then but I think his delivery is what really rubbed people the wrong way!
That was really greatness of yours, apologizing to your audience and to Noah Lyles!
In my opinion, big thanks to your friends who really described the situation as it actually is without dishonering the great succes and sportmanship of the NBA.
The NBA is and will never be the world and as you see in this world cup competition right now, the players all over the world are competing on almost the same level, no matter if they play their regular season in europe or in the nba etc.
Even though you would consider the nba as the strongest basketball competition worldwide, it is not a world competition.
I still respect the fact that at the moment the NBA might be the strongest competition worldwide.
Thanks to Noah Lyles for starting this conversation.
He is correct. NBA Champions are NOT World Champions. They are USA Champions. Get your facts right America.
This is exactly why I rock with you Stephen A.
Props to you Stephen A. Smith.
Thanks now that this is cleared i wish Americans can now understand that AFRICA is not a country but a continent with 54 independent countries unlike USA which is United and regarded as one country so they should stop call Africa a country.
This is funny. It seems as if the only time Stephen A admits to being wrong or swallows his pride is when he gets a text from a celebrity friend. I'm not sure if he's truly being apologetic or if he's just name dropping. Ha
Lol man I was saying the same thing. My man had to let the world know his celebrity friends and how awesome they are…..it is just common sense that Noah Lyles was correct….you can argue he said it in a smug condescending way but always listen to the message not the messenger. Stephen brags about his journalistic training but made a basic cardinal mistake for the sake of grandstanding for entertainment and ratings….
I don’t think he really cares about that
@@cryptozilla_ Beg to differ. He been doing it lately.
@@oval291 don't even think it was really smug, it was just the truth. when you call something out as stupid people usually do it like that to make it hit just how stupid it really is. for me i do it like that because i think it's the most effective. "the world champions of what?.... the united states?" is what he said right? it was just dead on.
Noah was right. NBA players are not world camps until they play in the Olympics and world games ❤
Yup! Until they go to participate and win, they are not the champions until they prove it.
But you missed the point, it is the NBA champions that claim to be the world champions, therefore it should be that NBA champion team that should go to this FIBA world cup and win it to be called world champions. This year, it is the the Denver Nuggets claiming to be the world champions, therefore they should prove this by representing the US in the FIBA and them win it to be called world champions. you see the logic?
Congrats to Noah 🎉🎉🎉🎉
This was very easy! It wasn’t that hard to figure out
Right? Much to do about noting
it wasn't. the people who are against the obvious logic are just pig headed
Have to be honest.. one of the best public apologies I’ve ever heard. No back tracking, facts and context. Brilliant
Stephen A Smith. i have to become a new subscriber. the fact that you were humble enough to apologize compelled me to become a new subscriber. you know what; you’re setting a great example to the younger generation.
Nothing but Respect for you sir!
Noah Lyles just said what people have talked about for years. How are you World Champions when you play an American sport? Why does baseball have a World Series when in reality its just 2 teams from America playing against each other. That is not the world. The world is not America.
as a Raptors fan, it rubs me the wrong way that the 2019 Title Banner says "World Champions"
It's just not true
NBA athletes are the most egotistical athletes in all pro sports I swear. Litterally paid dozens of millions of dollars a year and it is still not enough for them, they have to be called NBA World champions playing in a league that gets clowned by international players like Jokic and Doncic, who learned their trade in European leagues. It would serve the USA well to get bounced out of the basketball Olympic gold medal next year, some of those players need to eat a slice of humble pie after what they said about Noah Lyles yesterday.
Hell naw! NFL players are by far
@@d.michael372 nah. it's the nba. the diva behavior in the nba is unmatched. don't they always say 'the players run the league' there? you refuse to play, you get what you want.
@@xaevius5319 NFL guys egos get super inflated when their always the ones in some altercation with someone at a club. They walk around like untouchables, especially the WRs
Doncic????? Sounds like you're grabbing all the white names you can muster. Doncic hasn't even been to an NBA finals. Why didn't you use Giannis? After all, he's won a title and BEFORE Jokic at that!! Is he (Giannis) too black a European for you?
@@dlmarh76 Giannis is not the best example to use here because he plays more like the typical AAU player relying on his athletic abilities rather than basketball fundamentals that are taught in pro european leagues. Giannis is not really a good playmaker, dribbler or shooter when compared to Doncic or Jokic. He doesn't make his team mates better so even though he looks fantastic on his own and gets his points and rebounds, it doesn't translate to wins when it matters the most against better teams. For all the success the Bucks get in the regular season, they keep disappointing in the playoffs. The roster as a whole is just not good enough to compete in a best-of-seven series, it is hard to attract top free agents in Milwaukee after all, there is only so much Giannis can do on his own. Same case with Doncic as well, though the Mavs don't really have the excuse they can't attract free agents to Dallas, they are just poorly constructed year after year.
Good job apologizing! Humility is a beautiful thing. -1 Peter 5:5 KJV. Love ya, Man