Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker was one of a few Team USA men’s basketball players who attended Sunday’s photo finish in the men’s 100-meter final that saw Team USA’s Noah Lyles beating Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by five one-thousandths of a second.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!With the victory, Lyles became the first American to win gold in the Olympic 100 meters since Justin Gatlin in 2004. Booker reflected on the moment to The Athletic‘s Sam Amick.
“It was crazy,” Booker said. “I mean, it was great for America. Congrats to him.”
I Told You America I Got This! #OlympicChampion pic.twitter.com/boBOZv3650
— Noah Lyles, OLY (@LylesNoah) August 4, 2024
To most NBA players and fans watching the event, they could not forget what Lyles said about NBA champions being referred to world champions.
“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. World champion of what? The United States?” Lyles said passionately after winning the 100-meter final at the World Championships in Budapest last August.
“World champion of what? The United States?”
Olympic Gold Medalist ???? Noah Lyles on NBA champs calling themselves World Champs. pic.twitter.com/gGjlCYokSj
— 4KT WHO YOU HATE (@royal_bobby24) August 4, 2024
Booker was one of many NBA stars who took exception to Lyles’ comment, posting a facepalm emoji in response to what Lyles said.
Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and other NBA players respond to Noah Lyles' comments. pic.twitter.com/O1eApkNpFG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 28, 2023
Booker, who was part of Team USA men’s basketball’s Olympic gold run in 2021 and lost the NBA Finals in six games less than a month prior, has not changed his feelings when it comes to this stance.
“I still don’t agree with the comment,” Booker said. “I feel like all the best talent in the world is in the NBA, and this is coming from an Olympic gold medalist (who believes) that being an NBA champion is probably harder to do.”
Booker still respects Lyles after his gold medal, as he is now crowned as the fastest man in the world with the win.
“The statement was said,” Booker said. “I think how it was said — you know, it was just out of context. I feel like it was something that was weighing on his heart for a long time. He’s gained a following since then. He held it down, though, so congrats to him.”
Lyles will now begin his quest to become the first American to win gold in both the 100-meter and 200-meter since Carl Lewis in 1984. Booker and the USA men’s basketball team will begin the quarterfinals Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. MST against Brazil.
Devin Booker scores 9 points to help Team USA close out group play 3-0
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
