"Lyles scared to go to NBA side of the boat" - NBA fans troll Noah Lyles for joining LeBron James & Team USA at Olympics Ceremony
The 2024 Paris Olympics are underway and its Opening Ceremony already had NBA fans talking.
At the commencement festivities, NBA fans poked fun at Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles on X for being near the back of Team USA's boat.
Fans were quick to add their comments to the post.
"They put noah Lyles a** on the back of the boat😭😭," one fan commented.
"Am I allowed to say hope it's awkward when Noah Lyles sees all the NBA players and he feels super uncomfortable but also root for the chap lol," another fan added.
"Why Noah Lyles scared to go to the NBA side of the boat 😭😭😭," a third fan added.
However, some came to the defense of Lyles ahead of the Olympics.
"The hate Noah Lyles is getting from his own country is sad. He's an absolute dawg on the track. He talks his s**t, and backs it up, I respect that," one fan defended.
"He was also correct. nba champs is not world champs, even if they would be," another fan added.
"Exactly I would understand if he made those remarks and was losing his races, but he doesn't people need to thank him for instigating and making LeBron assemble the squad," a third fan stated.
These comments stemmed from Lyles' previous comments about NBA champions crowning themselves as 'World Champions,' because of the quality of talent in the NBA from both American and international players.
"World champions of what? The United States?" Lyles questioned, sparking controversy and grabbing the attention of NBA players like Kevin Durant, who responded, "Somebody help this brother."
Team USA kicks off Olympic play versus NBA MVP Nikola Jokic & Serbia
LeBron James and Team USA will kick off their Olympic campaign against reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and Serbia.
The USA are the heavy favorites to win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with -400 odds, while Serbia has the fourth-best odds at +1500.
Nikola Jokic and his squad could give Team USA problems as they have a talented roster made up of current and former NBA players. Despite winning comfortably in their exhibition match last July 17, 105-79, the Americans know that no team in the Olympics should be underestimated, including their first opponents.