At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Noah Lyles showcased his incredible talent and determination, winning a dramatic gold medal in a photo-finish race and securing a bronze medal despite battling COVID-19 with a fever of 102 degrees. His remarkable achievements should have been the sole focus of the conversation, but a tweet from the official USA Basketball account stirred up unnecessary controversy.
The backstory to this incident dates back to last year when Lyles, a track-and-field star, made waves with a pointed critique of NBA players and the culture surrounding the league. During a post-race interview, Lyles questioned the validity of NBA champions declaring themselves “world champions,” pointing out that while the four major American sports leagues often crown their winners with that title, they do so without competing against the best teams from around the globe. His remarks were intended to highlight the difference between domestic sports leagues and international competitions like track and field, where athletes truly compete against the world’s best. While his tone was playful, it struck a nerve in the NBA community.
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Lyles’ comments, though controversial, were a far cry from the brash remarks he made at last year’s World Championships, where he took a jab at Team Canada following a disappointing performance by the U.S. men’s 4×100-meter relay team. Canada had taken gold, while the U.S. failed to even medal, leading to criticism from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In contrast, Lyles’ critique of the NBA was more about the semantics of the “world champion” title than an outright diss.
Fast forward to the 2024 Olympics, where the U.S. men’s basketball team, led by the veteran trio of Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant, secured a hard-fought victory over France, winning 98-87 in a game that showcased the talents of young NBA star Victor Wembanyama. The win was impressive, especially considering the caliber of the competition and the electric atmosphere in the Accor Arena.
However, instead of simply celebrating the gold medal win, the official USA Basketball Twitter account decided to take a shot at Lyles, posting a tweet that read, “Are we the world champs now?” The tweet, a clear reference to Lyles’ previous comments, seemed petty and out of place, especially coming from an organization representing a unified Team USA during the Olympics.
The U.S. men’s basketball team is made up of some of the greatest players from the NBA, and they were heavily favored to win the gold. Steph Curry’s spectacular fourth-quarter performance was a fitting end to the tournament.
Given the context, it’s baffling why USA Basketball felt the need to respond to Lyles’ year-old comments in such a manner. The tweet, which many saw as unnecessary and lacking in sportsmanship, detracted from the team’s achievement and sparked criticism from fans and commentators alike.
In a time when the focus should have been on unity and celebrating the successes of all American athletes, the tweet came across as divisive and mean-spirited.
It’s a reminder that, especially on the global stage, humility and respect are just as important as victory. As many parents might say, “Be better.” The moment was an opportunity to uplift, not to tear down, and it’s unfortunate that USA Basketball chose the latter.
