Paul George can see both sides of the debate over the NBA's world champions title.
On the latest episode of the "Podcast P with Paul George," the Clippers star shared his thoughts on the recent viral comments made by American sprinter Noah Lyles questioning why NBA Finals winners are labeled world champions.
"I think he's right," George said. "Technically, yeah the NBA - we have guys from all over the world, right? The game is more and more becoming an international game with the international talent that's coming into the league. But from his point of view being a USA athlete, I think he's right in terms of world champion, competing on that scale, and winning the gold medal.
"But at the same time, I think you have a right - the NBA being the best of the best in basketball, with all these other countries and national players being a part of our league, yeah you're a world champion. But I don't think there's a wrong answer either way."
Lyles took aim at the NBA during a news conference at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary last month, saying, "World champion of what? The United States? Don't get me wrong, I love the U.S., at times, but that ain't the world."
The six-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist defended his remarks in a recent interview with TMZ Sports and believes "the point was lost" by some.
"At the end of the day, it was talking about how I see what we do to our national championships - I just want the same thing for our world champions," Lyles explained. "And we're a sport where we're bringing in the most medals every year - and it's like nobody even knows because they don't pay attention."
