"Trying hard to become villain" - Fans roast Noah Lyles for rehashing 'world champion' jab at NBA

Noah Lyles is arguably the face of the track and field world. The gold medal winner of the men’s 100m run in the 2024 Paris Olympics is loud and outspoken. Last year, he grabbed even more attention when he blasted NBA title-winning teams for being called “world champions.”

Lyles' remark, following a three-gold medal romp in the 2023 World Championships, didn’t sit well with NBA players. Aaron Gordon, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard and many others ripped the Olympic star on X, formerly Twitter.

The Gainesville, Florida native hasn’t backed down from his stance despite the relentless backlash on social media. He recently went to the 2024 US Open tennis tournament where he was asked if the winners in the competition could be called “world champions.”

Lyles didn’t hesitate to respond:

“[Tennis players] are World Champions. International players that play against the top in the world constantly.”

Fans promptly reacted to the track star’s comments:

“Trying hard to become a villain. Aight bro. You got it.”

A fan reaction to Noah Lyles "world champion" comments at the 2024 US Open. [photo: @espn/IG]

Former NBA player Austin Rivers tossed in his thoughts:

“Where the hell do you think the best international players play in basketball?? He just gotta stop talking at some point 😂”

@prizepicks took a hilarious shot at Lyles:

“Oh boy here we go again”

More reactions to Lyles' comments. [photo: @espn/IG]

One fan’s comments resounded with the many:

“By this definition, NBA champs would be world champions. NBA has international players that play against the top in the world.”

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Last season, the NBA reported 125 international players from 40 countries played in the league. The best foreign players led by Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo competed with their respective teams. Noah Lyles' definition of “world champions” in his US Open interview is what the NBA is all about.

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Carmelo Anthony urged Noah Lyles to stop taking shots at the NBA

Carmelo Anthony went to Paris to support Team USA athletes, particularly the basketball players. He also checked other events, including Noah Lyles’ gold-medal winning 100m run.

“Melo” had this to say to the track star in his “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast after Lyles took a shot at Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards:

“Why do you keep shooting at the NBA? If you wanna shoot, shoot at the fact that you ain’t got no league for your own. Shoot at that! Shoot at why they ain’t pouring money into that sport which they should be."

Anthony added:

“Don’t keep playing those games ‘cause what’s gonna end up happening is all of these people will start turning on you ‘cause you’re not gonna start making no sense.”

Noah Lyles probably didn’t hear what Carmelo Anthony had to say or if he did, chose to ignore the New York Knicks legend’s words.