USA Basketball trolls Noah Lyles for 2023 comment after gold medal win at Paris Olympics

PARIS, FRANCE: The men’s basketball team of the United States of America beat France 98-87 in the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday, August 10, to extend its gold-winning streak at the Olympic Games.

Remaining undefeated throughout the tournament, Team USA faced challenges from Serbia and France in their concluding two games, yet their top players delivered exceptional performances when it was crucial.

Noah Lyles takes a shot at NBA

The United States currently leads the Olympic medal tally with 122 medals. Their count of 38 gold medals is second only to the People's Republic of China, which has 39 golds.

This basketball gold medal is a special one for several reasons, one being the "World Champion" narrative that received national headlines last summer when NBA players reacted to viral comments made by American sprinter Noah Lyles, Athlon Sports reported.

NBA players were stunned when the Team USA track-and-field star went on a rant questioning the validity of NBA champions declaring themselves “world champions".

Lyles called NBA teams out for referring to themselves as "world champions" despite playing in a league consisting of teams just from America and Canada.

"You know the thing that hurts me the most, is that I have to watch the NBA Finals and they have 'world champion' on their head," Lyles said in 2023. "World champion of what? The United States? Don't get me wrong, I love the US at times, but that ain't the world."

 

But on Saturday, the trio of Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant defeated the France team, led by 20-year-old new NBA sensation Victor Wembanyama, 98-87.

USA Basketball appears to troll Noah Lyles after gold medal win

After securing the gold medal, USA Basketball shared a caption on their social media that has fans buzzing. Many believe it's a jab at Noah Lyles.

The post read, "Are we the World Champs now?"

Meanhile, Lyles secured the gold in the 100-meter race at the Paris Olympics and earned a bronze in the 200-meter. Despite competing with Covid-19, Lyles managed to claim a medal in the 200-meter event, although he did not achieve back-to-back gold medals.

Though no longer in competition because of his diagnosis, Lyles remains a subject of conversation due to his viral remarks.

Internet reacts to USA Basketball's apparent jab at Noah Lyles

Social media users seem to enjoy the USA Basketball and Noah Lyles beef. Many slammed USA basketball's apparent jab at the sprinter.

A user wrote, "No, you are not. You’re just the Olympic champions."

Another replied, "How does winning the Olympics make you the World Champion? you're an Olympic Champion, not a World Champion."

The third commentator explained, "No. Now you are OLYMPIC champions. Germany won the last world cup, so they are the current world champions. The world doesn't revolve around you!"

"No, because you won the Olympic Games, not the world basketball championship. Shouldn’t be that hard," one remarked.

A person slammed saying, "Honestly, what's your problem? "World" is not Olympic "World" is not USA. Jesus Christ!"

Other chimed in, "Nope, Germany are world champs"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.