Noah Lyles is a household name in the world of track and field after winning various 100-meter and 200-meter races, including in recent World Athletics Championships. However, he became the talk of the basketball town last year when he questioned why NBA champions are called "world champions."
His opinion was met with plenty of negative reactions from NBA stars, including Kevin Durant, who said the American athlete needed help . Josh Hart may have been one of those whose feathers were ruffled by the sprinter and stated on X (formerly Twitter) that he was a "hater." However, the New York Knicks swingman may have changed his view after Lyles won his first Olympic gold medal.
Lyles' dramatic win
It seems Noah revels in drama because his first-place finish in the 100-meter race needed to be closely scrutinized because he and Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson crossed the finish line at almost the exact time.
Lyles was eventually declared the victor after images and video replays of the "photo finish" were reviewed. He won by literally a hair, as his .005-second lead was possibly the closest margin ever in the 100-meter event in the history of the Olympics.
With the win, the Florida native has added an Olympic gold medal to his treasure trove of prizes, including a bronze in the 200-meter sprint in the 2020 Olympics and six golds in the World Athletics Championships. Moreover, he has earned the right to keep his mouth running if Hart were to decide on the matter.
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USA Basketball has to keep up
Because of all the drama Lyles stirred up last year, some American hoops fans have actually wished for him to lose, even if it means one less medal for the Red, White, and Blue.
Now that the 27-year-old track and field star has done his part, USA Basketball must make sure it adds another gold to the nation's medal tally in Paris. Like the tough competition Lyles faced in the 100-meter dash, Team USA also has a difficult road to the top.
So far, the international powerhouse has not really been challenged, winning its three games in the group stage by double-digits.
However, a date with Brazil, known for its physicality, awaits Durant and company in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the U.S. could meet Serbia or Australia, whom it defeated by just six points in their tuneup match before the Olympics.
If it manages to make it to the gold-medal bout, Team USA will face one of the 2023 FIBA World Cup champions, Germany, the hometown squad France, the star-studded Canada team, or the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Greeks.
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