The U.S. men’s basketball team took the lead early in the final with France and didn’t let up. Despite heroics from French players like Matthew Strazel and Victor Wembanyama, the Frenchmen couldn’t handle the LeBron James-led American team. Olympic debutant Stephen Curry repeatedly sniped the ball into the net to keep Team USA ahead. After their historic fifth straight Olympic title Team USA basketball took shots at Noah Lyles.

Lyles himself made history for the United States in the 100m event, winning gold despite being the underdog. However, the sprinter’s victory reignited the debate surrounding his controversial past comments, saying NBA champions aren’t the world champions. However, even the official USA Basketball’s X-handle got in on the drama after earning their Olympic gold medal.

“Are we the World Champs now?” they wrote in the caption while posting an image of the victorious USA Men’s basketball team. The podium shot captured the triumphant men’s team arm in arm basking in the glory of the moment. However, some fans pointed out that while they did defeat some of the best teams in the world while representing the USA, they’re technically Olympic champions.

“Olympic Champs, bro. World Cup only in 2027,” commented a fan. Yet regardless of technicalities, it was Team USA’s official response to the NBA-Lyles controversies. In last year’s World Athletics Championships, Noah Lyles took a shot at the NBA champions calling themselves champions of the world.

“World Champion of what? The United States?” said Lyles in the now infamous statement. The 27-year-old’s comments infuriated the stateside NBA fans, experts and athletes. They argued that since the NBA attracts the best talent from around the globe, the state team that wins the NBA deserves to be called the best team in the world.

One also has to wonder, if Team USA asking rather than stating, is an admission to the technicality that Lyles pointed out in the first place. However, Noah Lyes may not be in the mood to make any further comments on this debate.

Noah Lyles’ agonising 200m loss

Despite being the underdog on paper, the defending world champion arrived in Paris brimming with confidence. “Amercia, I got this,” the sprinter wrote on X ahead of the Olympics, and his campaign got off to a perfect start. Lyles won his first Olympic gold and the hearts of track and field fans by defeating favorite Kishane Thompson in the 100m sprint.

“America! I told you, I got this!” Noah Lyles exclaimed at the broadcasting cameras. However, this blistering star came to a grinding halt in the 200m. Despite being the favorite to win the race, the world’s 3rd fastest man across 200m had to settle for bronze. The track star later revealed that he contracted COVID-19 and ran the 200m despite being sick.

While fans appreciated his heart, the champion couldn’t keep his promise of earning the Olympic sprint double. So it’s safe to assume that he won’t be in the mood to entrain Team USA basketball’s question on X. Yet, what do you believe? Tell us in the comments.