Noah Lyles speaks out after USA's men's Olympic basketball gold medal

Due to his comments about the NBA champions in 2023, track star Noah Lyles has been a popular interview subject following the United States' men's gold medal victory against France.

Lyles made a point of mentioning the special athletic talent that exists in the world, when he congratulated the U.S. men's basketball team on their gold medal. The Daily Mail quoted him as saying, "It's not a thing of if I consider or not...they are (the best in the world). They're Olympic champions and in the Olympics you face the whole world."

Lyles did offer support for his countrymen, telling the Daily Mail, "But again, like myself, I have confidence in the U.S. basketball team that they were going to make it all the way."

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

In addition to exploring Lyles' stance of the achievements of NBA players, the track star found himself in another unflattering controversy as it relates to Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. Lyles reportedly declined to attend an Adidas event in 2023 because he did not think Edwards was accomplished enough as an NBA player, according to Sports Illustrated.

According to Time magazine, Lyles allegedly said, "You want to invite me to an event for a man who has not even been to an NBA Finals?"

After Lyles' quotes were released, the track star has reversed course on his comments. Lyles posted on social media, "There is a rumor going around that I did not go to Anthony Edwards' shoe release because he didn't deserve it. That is not the case he definitely deserves his shoes he is an amazing player. The problem was finding time based on my prior engagements."

Lyles zoomed past the competition in the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning the 100m dash, giving him the title of 'world's fastest man'. But the Lyles-NBA storyline has remained consistent throughout the Olympics and beforehand as well.

United States Olympian and NBA player Joel Embiid was in the house for Lyles' victory in the 100m competition, but a clip of him leaving the track venue immediately after Lyles' win has gone viral. Athlon Sports wrote about the perception of that exit, which may indicate that he was less than thrilled about Lyles' achievements.

Lyles has put himself front and center with regard to his track accomplishments, but his NBA criticism gives him a bit of extra added notoriety.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

It's unlikely that athletics will find a star as charismatic as Jamaican legend Usain Bolt, but Lyles is en route to surpass the sprinting great, running faster than Bolt did at the same age.

Despite his brilliance on the track, Lyles has caused a storm in America after suggesting that the NBA champions should not call themselves world champions.

According to Eurosport, Lyles said: "You know, the thing that hurts me the most is I have to watch the NBA finals, and they have 'world champion' on their head."

"World champion of what? The United States? Don't get me wrong, I love the US at times, but that isn't the world. We are the world."

For many American sports fans, it seems logical to call their teams world champions if they win the MLB, NFL, NBA, or NHL, as their leagues are the highest level of competition in the world for their respective sports.

After the MLB 'World Series' was played in 1903, the title of world champion has subsequently stuck in all four major American leagues.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

A whole host of old and current NBA players have had a nerve struck by Lyles' comments, with the likes of Kevin Durant, Damien Lillard, Devin Booker, and Draymond Green all calling him out.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith had his say on the matter on ESPN's 'First Take,' saying Lyles was "ignorant" for his comments made at the press conference.

According to @FirstTake on X, Smith said: "The NBA currently features 120 players from 40 countries and six continents on its roster for last season, and it's increased now."

"So how is that not global? How is that not the world champions? The best players from around the world descend upon America to join the National Basketball Association."

It's a fair argument to suggest that if the best players in the world go their and play, then the team who wins in the end is the best in the world.

However, by that logic, the UEFA Champions League winners should be world champions because the champions of Europe have beaten the best teams in the world due to the best players playing in Europe.

European football has a much more diverse bunch of players competing, and the Champions League has hosted over 30 countries compared to the NBA hosting two.

If the NBA teams were the official world champions, then the Olympics and the FIBA World Cup wouldn't need to exist, but Team USA hasn't won every single Olympics and World Cup competition.

According to thesporting . blog, basketball is the seventh most popular sport in the world, with over 450 million players, making the sport worldwide and not just in North America.

The argument is there on both sides, with the NBA champions being the best team on the planet, but with the sport being global, it can come across as arrogance for the rest of the world.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!