Noah Lyles Talks About Missing Anthony Edwards' Shoe Launch

Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles has responded to online speculation regarding his absence from the shoe launch event for NBA star Anthony Edwards. Critics suggested that Lyles skipped the event due to a belief that Edwards had not earned the honor. Lyles has previously expressed his discontent with the NBA's practice of labeling its champions as "world champions," a sentiment that gained traction after he made headlines in 2023 for questioning the legitimacy of such claims. Lyles' comments resurfaced recently as the U.S. men's and women's basketball teams secured Olympic gold medals, prompting the official X account of the teams to reference his earlier remarks with a playful post. The controversy intensified when Lyles revealed in a June interview with Time Magazine that he declined an invitation from Adidas to attend Edwards' shoe launch in September, questioning the decision to honor a player who had yet to reach an NBA Finals. In light of the ongoing discussions, Lyles took to social media to clarify his stance. He emphasized that his absence was not a reflection of Edwards' talent, stating, “He definitely deserves his shoes; he is an amazing player.” Lyles attributed his non-attendance to scheduling conflicts rather than any personal judgment about Edwards' achievements. Edwards, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, was celebrated at a special Adidas event for his Olympic success, further highlighting the camaraderie among athletes despite the surrounding drama.