The American men’s basketball team secured its fifth consecutive gold medal with a decisive 98-87 victory against France at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, after the win, the team surprised fans by taunting an American track and field athlete.
The official USA Basketball account on X (formerly known as Twitter) posted a photo with the caption, “Are we the World Champs now?” seemingly taunting Noah Lyles, a three-time world champion in the 200m. Lyles had previously criticized NBA teams for calling themselves world champions, as the league has 29 American teams and only one Canadian team.
Are we the World Champs now?
🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/t4M9NeBkU6
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 10, 2024
This taunt was not well received by the fans, and they started criticizing USA Basketball in the comment section of the post.
One fan supported Lyles’ remark, saying, “Germany Men’s Basketball team is still the World Champions, while the USA Men’s Basketball team is the Olympic Gold medal Champions. Noah might have been rude, but he was right.”
Germany Men’s Basketball team is still the World Champions, while the USA Men’s Basketball team is the Olympic Gold medal Champions. Noah might have been rude, but he was right.
— Jagaban_MCFC 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@mcfc_jagaban) August 10, 2024
Meanwhile, another fan mentioned, “He really got into your minds… Noah Lyles won the gold in the 100 meters, the most noble event of the Olympic Games. In addition, he won a bronze while he was sick with Covid. He won SIX world championships, now that’s winning the world.”
He really got into your minds…
Noah Lyles won the gold in the 100 meters, the most noble event of the Olympic Games.
In addition, he won a bronze while he was sick with Covid.
He won SIX world championships, now that’s winning the world. pic.twitter.com/NBkIWuhM9p
— Sincero Jordan (@SinceroJordan) August 10, 2024
Another fan said, “No. Olympic Champ. And noah was referring to the *NBA champion* – not the Olympics champion.”
No. Olympic Champ.
And noah was referring to the *NBA champion* – not the Olympics champion.
— Dre Baldwin | #WorkOnYourGame (@DreAllDay) August 11, 2024
Another fan commented, “Looks like Noah is living rent free in your heads.”
Looks like Noah is living rent free in your heads.
— Rafa Glau (@GlauRaf4) August 11, 2024
Lyles Spills the Tea: His Take on NBA Teams
Lyles, who was recently criticized by fans on social media, criticized NBA teams for calling themselves world champions after winning the NBA league. The sprinter expressed his love for the USA but stated that being deemed world champions after winning a league with 29 teams from the United States out of 30 teams is irrelevant.
“World champion of what? The United States? Don’t get me wrong, I love the US, at times, but that ain’t the world. We have almost every country out here fighting, thriving, putting on their flag to show they are represented. There ain’t no flags in the NBA”
The NBA does not have flags for its teams. However, Lyles pointed out that in other countries, teams compete to display their flags as a way to show their representation. Therefore, Lyles does not tolerate NBA teams being called world champions after winning the NBA championship.
