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After American sprinter Noah Lyles stirred controversy by questioning whether NBA champions should be called "world champions," USA Basketball decided to playfully respond following their recent victory. Despite Lyles' comments being fair and factually correct, they clearly struck a nerve..
Following Team USA's 98-87 win over France to secure the gold medal, USA Basketball took to social media platform X to humorously ask if they now qualify as world champions.
"Are we the World Champs now?" USA Basketball wrote.
The post was clearly a light-hearted jab at Lyles, who had previously sparked debate with his comments.
"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. "World champion of what? The United States? Don't get me wrong. I love the U.S., at times, but that ain't the world. That is not the world.
Fans respond USA Basketball post
However, the response didn't quite hit the mark for many fans. Critics were quick to point out that winning Olympic gold doesn't make a team "world champions" in the traditional sense, as the title of "world champion" is more accurately held by the reigning FIBA World Cup winners, which is currently Germany.
"***GOLD OLYMPIC CHAMPS*** FIBA World Cup makes you the world champ," a user wrote.
Another added: "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."
"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," a third noted.